Kelly Loves Tony (1998)
Directed by Spencer Nakasako
Sub-Genres - Biography, Race & Ethnicity, Social Issues |
Run Time - 57 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Bhob Stewart
For this video-dairy documentary, director Spencer Nakasako loaned cameras to Laotian-born Californians Kelly Saeteurn and Tony Saelio, a couple engaged to marry. Seventh-grade dropout Tony, two years after serving time for armed assault, works as a shuttle-bus driver, but possible INS deportation looms. Meanwhile, pregnant 17-year-old Kelly graduates from high school and begins planning for college and a career. After baby Andrew is born, they follow the Iu Mien custom in which the wife moves in with her in-laws. Frustrated when his parents do not move ahead with the marriage plans, Kelly then learns she's pregnant again. With a video-to-16mm transfer, this film was shown at the 1998 San Francisco Asian-American Film Festival. Nakasako's process here is similar to that employed on his Emmy-winning A.K.A. Don Bonus (1997).
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
Americanization, couple, disillusionment, dropout, immigrant, in-law, Laos, teenagers, unwed-parenthood