Hawaii International Film Festival 2009

Mark Tran's debut feature ALL ABOUT DAD, is loosely based upon his own experiences growing up in a large Vietnamese family and revolves around the family's rigid and traditional patriarch. Tensions within the family begin to mount as his children begin to explore their own lives and ambitions, causing the father to rethink his values in order to restore order to his family. His daughter hides the fact that her fiancé is Buddhist, while the youngest son, Ty, decides to drop his biology classes for a career in filmmaking. Although filled with the universal callings of a family melodrama such as sibling rivalries and dinner table arguments, Tran creates a unique and fresh take on the genre with a distinct Vietnamese variation with individual yet relatable characters. -- Bryant Murakami