Announcer: Funding for "Fine Cut: Festival of Films" is generously provided by The Bridges Larson Foundation.

[Music] [Music] [Music] [Breathing heavily] [Woman speaking Chinese] [Woman 2 speaking Chinese] [Chopping continues] [Man speaking Chinese] [Ancestors speaking Chinese] [Whoosh] [Pan sizzling] Jerrick: Ah.

[Smoke alarm beeping] [Beeping stops] Jerrick: Aah.

[Jerrick panting] [Music] [Jerrick laughs] Mmm.

[Shu Ting laughs] [Music] [Music] Man: When I say Farmersville, what comes into your mind?

Different man: Yeah, I think that Farmersville is lower class, really.

Different man: There's not really that much here.

Different man: It's an old, old community.

In the '30s, it became a tent city for, uh, "The Grapes of Wrath."

Therefore, Farmersville is a bit of a laughingstock in the valley.

Different man: This is the reputation it's had for years, and nothing is-- nothing is being done to change it.

Different man: Symptomatic in that the name is Farmersville.

When you think of farmer, unfortunately, you think of a big straw hat and hayseed, you know, rural.

Different man: I don't know if I'm gonna stay here or not.

I really doubt it, but... I hate to see Farmersville just die off.

Woman: People here, they all moved out, married people from out of town and moved out.

[Music playing] Different woman: You go downtown, everything's painted different colors, you know, and it's like little TJ.

Different man: Gotta figure how to maintain Farmersville.

Different woman: Keep up with it just to kind of keep the town more alive.

Different man: We need a little bit more infrastructure.

Being a small community, I don't know if that'll ever happen.

[Music] Peter: When you venture out of Farmersville and you realize that some of the other smaller towns, "Why do they have that?

Why don't we have this?"

[Film projector clacking] You do kind of see certain things.

You see downtown when you come play over here, the fields are a little nicer.

That's when you start to realize.

[Birds chirping] Christian: One of the reasons why I actually have dedicated to help Farmersville more because one of the things that we're lacking here is getting resources and the adult participation.

[Indistinct chatter] [Music playing over speakers] [Music] Different man: See a kid that his parents are low income, he figures that, uh, he can't afford to keep going to school because he figures that he has to help his parents.

In most--in most cases, the parent does, uh, need that help from his boy or even a girl.

Different man, translated: We came here to better ourselves and our families.

The ranchers want their fruit picked.

They don't care if we die from hunger.

We aren't asking for something that's unjust.

We're just asking for something that should be ours.

My wish is to give my children an education so they won't have to work in the fields, like we do.

[Ana Maria speaking Spanish] [Woman speaking Spanish] [Ana Maria speaking Spanish] [Insects trilling] [Traffic passing] Estrella: My mom and my dad as well, when we first moved here, worked in the fields.

And a lot of my tias and tios, even my older sister, she worked.

And I'm blessed that they provided me with all the stuff I need so I don't have to go work with them.

I do know that I wanna get a doctorate, so I could, you know, like, you know, like, "She's a boss," you know?

Yeah.

Bro, can you imagine somebody from Farmersville with a doctorate?

Like... [Music] [Different man speaking Spanish] Different man: We have very little recreational facilities for the young.

Different man: Here in Farmersville, our work and after-school programs teach the kids how to be better every day and stay off the streets, and, uh, stay out of trouble.

Manuel: Every parent wants their student to be successful.

Our job is to guarantee safety, the great conditions for learning, and then provide an avenue for our students to be successful.

What is negative about that statement?

Absolutely nothing.

[Music continues] Different man: One of the main things we have to do is get better organized.

Different man: I think that the Mexican-Americans should have more of a part in the governing of our city.

Because it's run by Whites.

You know, everybody's White, the city council.

If they had a part in this, maybe they'd feel more... Different woman: Women who live in Farmersville do not participate here.

I don't think women are really accepted yet in government.

Tina: I am Tina Hernandez.

I am the first female mayor of the City of Farmersville.

Touching base with the little kids, you know, and they wanna meet the mayor, and she's a female.

And when I talk to the kids, or I'll tell them, "You never know.

You might be the next mayor."

From the beginning of coming-- you know, getting on council was, I want our city to be self-sustainable.

You know, we get grants and things like that, and the reason why we get those grants is because we can't afford it.

We don't have tax base.

We now have our very own fire station, so this is actually the first fire station for the city of Farmersville.

And we got that through a grant, you know, because it's a positive thing, but then, you know, I'm always like, "It's about time."

It's about--it's about time, you know, and what's next?

We have businesses, we have more tax base.

And with that, if we wanted to build something, hopefully, we can do that, and we don't have to ask the government for help.

[Music] Different man: What keeps a person here?

Different man: Well, I think it would be the friendly people.

Uh, the people here are not phony.

Uh... Dennis: Whatever you may hear-- it's actually-- it's actually a good community.

Oly: It's not bad.

Dennis: Uh, I've left my garage open all night, and nothing's been gone.

I got--These are all good neighbors, these people around here.

[Music continues] Camilo: Yeah, I just wish people saw that we're people, too, and we're not just some nobodies.

And many of the people here in Farmersville, I feel, are destined for success.

Estrella: I'm glad to have, like, my small community who, like, makes me strong.

Different man: I will not accept any conclusion that just because one is poor, they can't have pride.

I will not accept that.

I think one can be poor and still have pride, and I will not accept it on a community basis either.

[Music] [Otter calls softly] [Music] [No audible dialogue, music continues] [Otter calling] [Music] [Otter calls] [Dolphin calls] [Music] [Music] [Music] Steve: Here you go.

Woman: Awesome.

Uh, and this has the negatives inside, right?

Steve: Yeah.

Woman: Cool.

Thank you.

Steve: Yeah.

Have a good one.

[Bells on door jingle] Cody: You are a sight.

Steve: [Laughs] I got you.

Cody: Thank you.

Steve: Um, so what can I do for you?

Cody: I just found this bag full of these.

I can't believe I missed them.

Steve: Okay.

How old?

Cody: About ten years.

Steve: Well, the recommended time to get film developed is typically well under five years.

I can certainly give it a shot.

Jack: Sorry I'm late.

Steve: It's okay.

Uh, just wait for me in the back.

I'm finishing up with a customer.

[Jack laughs] Jack: Sorry, Mister.

You're in great hands.

Steve: Um, have I seen you around here before?

You look vaguely familiar.

Cody: I, uh, used to come in all the time.

Steve: Ah.

[Laughs] Cody: But I think I remember you being a tiny, little munchkin.

You probably don't remember me.

Steve: Yeah.

Well, I do have a good thing for faces, so definitely must have been a long time.

Cody: Probably just about ten years.

Steve: Yeah.

So for four, it's normally 120.

Um, but since I can't really guarantee anything-- you can just give me 50 and I'll see what I can do.

How does that sound?

April: Make sure you take the plastic off.

I swear your boyfriend's gonna burn this place down.

I thought you had closed.

Cody: Thank you so much for squeezing me in.

I'll be back in a few days.

Steve: Sir, I didn't get your-- [Bells on door jingle] name.

[Curtain rustles] [Objects clank softly on table] Steve: Mom, it's just pizza.

[April gasps] April: Just pizza?

Jack: Yeah.

See, this is pure culinary art.

Steve: Oh, my gosh.

You're-- Jack: How dare you.

Steve: You guys are killing me.

Jack: Uh-uh.

[Steve sighs] April: Okay.

Jack: Bon appetit.

[Steve laughs] Steve: Wow.

Thank you.

April: What did that, um, last customer want?

Steve: Uh, just some ten-year-old undeveloped film.

April: Maybe I'll take care of it.

Steve: No, I can do it.

April: You're gonna mess it up.

Steve: Yeah, it's ten years old.

Of course I'm gonna mess it up.

April: So I'll do it in the morning.

[Steve chuckles] Steve: Did you-- did you know the guy?

April: Why would you think that?

Steve: You gave him the look-- that stare.

April: Stare?

I don't have a stare.

[Jack stifles chuckle] Steve: That one.

That's the stare.

April: I'm developing the rolls.

End of discussion.

[Music] [Dog barking in distance] April: Go ahead.

Steve: Go ahead what?

April: Ask your questions.

Steve: I don't know what you're talking about.

April: Smart-ass.

[Exhales] Cody was close to... [Continues in Korean] Do you mind if I finish this on my own and I'll bring it out to you in a bit?

Steve: I feel like-- April: Steve, please?

I promise I'll explain.

[Pitcher thuds softly on desk] [Music] Steve: Jesus.

April: Sorry.

Your harabeoji wanted me to wait until you were 21.

He wanted to tell you himself.

April: I'll wait outside.

[Film projector whirring] Chan: Hey there, my little sonja.

I'm so sorry I'm unable to be there with you.

I was so hoping I could celebrate your 21st birthday.

You might not understand my decision, but I wanted a better life for you.

Steve: What is this?

April: I know it's hard to understand.

Steve: No, you said that you would explain everything.

So let's hear it.

April: Did you even finish it?

Steve: No.

I need to hear it from you.

April: [Sighs] Just watch.

Steve: No, Eomma, I'm not watching the tape until you tell me why you kept this from me.

April: Honey, I am trying my best to do what's best for everyone.

Steve: What's best for everyone?

I thought being honest with everyone was the best thing for everyone.

April: Your harabeoji wanted you to watch the tape!

I'm just following his wishes.

Steve: Why didn't you tell him to tell me when he was still here?

I mean, why am I just now finding out about Cody who, I assume, was his boyfriend?

Like, what the hell is even going on?

[April sighs] Steve: How is this good for me?

How is this the best thing for me when I didn't even get a say in this?

April: I know, honey.

I know.

Steve: Why hasn't Cody been around, huh?

Was it in his wishes to cut him out, too?

April: I know you're angry, but I'm still your mother.

Steve: You don't know anything sometimes.

April: I know.

You're right!

I don't!

I'm not gay.

How am I supposed to know how to be your mother?

Your harabeoji thought it was best for you to find out his way.

Uh, and Cody, he couldn't handle following his wishes, and so he left me.

Do you think I enjoyed keeping this from you this whole time?

Do you think I enjoyed being this lonely through it all?

He--[Sobs and sniffles] he was my dad.

And I miss him so badly.

You know, you have no idea what it's like to lose your only family member.

Yeah, Cody was also family, and for him to just leave because he couldn't handle it?

The nerve of him to show up the way he did, and now look what he's done!

[Sobbing] [Music] [Kids playing in distance] [Indistinct chatter nearby] Cody: Thanks.

How's April?

Steve: Did you really just come here to catch up?

Cody: I just wanted to see you both.

Steve: She, um, considered you family, you know.

Cody: What has your mother told you about Chan's life here?

Steve: Um-- Cody: Did she tell you about his involvement with the Equal Rights movement?

Do you know much about our history as queer folk in Los Angeles?

I guess Chan got what he wanted.

Cody: Oh, boy.

I know you know how much culture changes.

But something we can always count on to be consistent is that those in the majority will always react against those who they deem to be the other, the outsider.

Those deemed to be the outsider generally do one of two things.

They create an insular space, safe for just us, or they fight.

Your grandfather protested, marched, ran political campaigns to help us get more access.

We met at a march one year, and we just fit, you know.

[Laughs softly] We wanted so badly to create a new world that was safe for the queer youth-- for you and your boyfriend.

Things seemed to be headed in a good direction politically, then... Prop 8 happened-- a ban on gay marriage in California, like all that Chan fought for didn't matter.

It broke him.

It all changed.

He changed.

He could tell you might be like us.

And the thought of you growing up knowing that your very existence and identity was a magnet for hate and anger, he wanted to keep you away from it all.

Steve: But that's happening now anyways.

Cody: That's what I told him.

He was obsessed with protecting you that he wanted to keep his identity shelved until you were old enough.

Like, being gay isn't age appropriate.

And then how do I fit into the picture?

Steve: Did he ask you to be just friends around me?

[Music] Cody: I was so angry.

When the stroke happened, I-- I left you all because in that moment, I began to believe that I would never be family.

I was a ... coward.

[Film reel clicking] Chan: Hey there, my little sonja.

I'm so sorry I'm unable to be there with you.

I was so hoping I could be there to celebrate your 21st birthday.

There's so much I wanted to share with-- there's so much life I wanted to live with you.

You might not understand my decision, but I wanted a better life for you.

Steve: But this is my life, harabeoji.

Chan: You don't know the kind of hatred that comes out in people when they begin to lose control over something they just don't understand.

Steve: But how does hiding yourself keep me protected?

Chan: I wanted you to grow into the man I wish I could've become if I didn't have to be so afraid.

Steve: We're all afraid.

That's inevitable.

Chan: You don't know the kind of fear I had to experience.

Steve: Well, then tell me.

Help me understand.

Prepare me for when that happens to me.

They win every time you let their anger and hatred dictate how honestly you live your life.

Chan: I did what I had to do to protect you.

I knew I wasn't going to be here to do it myself, so I did all that I could think of.

Steve: I just needed your truth.

Knowing my legacy, knowing that I wasn't alone in all of this, that's enough protection for me.

All I needed was to be known and understood for who I am.

I needed to know and understand you for all that you were.

Chan: Did I mess up?

I told Cody... Steve: No.

You didn't mess up.

I'm just sad you hid yourself from the world in the end.

But your legacy continues through me.

Chan: Will you tell Cody...?

Steve: Yeah, of course.

Chan: You know, I've always loved you.

I've always known you, and I always will.

[Steve sniffles] [Music] [Film reel clacking] [Film reel humming] April: Hon, are you okay?

[Gasps] Oh.

Steve: I love you so much.

April: I love you, too.

[Music] [Knock on door] [Door opens] Steve: Hello.

Welcome.

Cody: Thank you.

Steve: Oh, hang on one sec.

Cody: Okay.

Hey, listen, I'm-- April: Oh.

We'll work it out.

Cody: Yeah.

April: I know.

Cody: Thank you.

April: But it'll take work.

Cody: Yeah, it will.

April: Yeah?

Cody: It will.

[Laughs] April: It's so good to have you back.

Cody: It's good to see you, too.

Oh, my God.

April: Take a seat.

Cody: All right.

April: Food is almost ready.

Jack, how are the corndogs?

Steve: So we managed to salvage pretty much all of them.

Cody: Oh, wow.

Really?

Steve: Yeah.

Take a look.

Cody: Let's see.

Hmm.

And you said this was pretty much all of them?

Steve: Yeah.

We actually did, um, like one of them so much that we decided to... [Music] Cody: Looks really good there.

Steve: [Chuckles] Yeah.

Yeah, it does.

[Music] [No audible dialogue, music continues] [Music] [Music] [Narrator speaking Chinese] [Both speaking Chinese] [Music] [All speaking Chinese] [All shouting] [Cheers and applause] [Conversations in Chinese] [Children laughing] [Customer growls] [Conversation in Chinese] [Children laughing] [Pobu laughs] [Indistinct chatter] [Narrator speaking Chinese] [Conversations in Chinese] [Sobbing] [Fire crackling] [Loud thud] [Auntie Yat sobbing] [Music] [Narrator speaking Chinese] [Music] [Conversation in Chinese] [Laughter] All: Oh!

Pobu: Hmm.

[Auntie Yat sobbing] [Custard gasps] [Giggles] [Narrator speaking Chinese] [Conversations in Chinese] [Narrator speaking Chinese] [Fung sobbing] [Conversations in Chinese] [Fung sobs] [Continues in Chinese] Pobu and Mai: Hmph.

[Insects chirping] [Lung snoring] [Gao grunting] [Mai and Pobu scream] [Dim sums grunt] [Lung gasps] [Music] [Lung grunts] [Dim sums scream] Pobu: Whoa.

[Lung laughs] Gao: Hyah!

[Gao's blows landing] Pobu and Mai: Mm!

[Dim sums speaking excitedly] Gao: Hyah!

[Blow lands] [Lung groans] [Grunting] [Dim sums yell] Pobu: Oh.

Ha.

[Fung gasps] [Dim sums laugh] [Music] [Lung laughs weakly] [Groans] [Laughter] [Music] [La nina panting] [Music] [Howling in distance] [Gasps] [Sniffing] [Growls] El lobo: Well, boys, looks like we've lost her, since clearly, there's nothing here.

[La nina screams] [Music] El lobo: I guess we'll have to make room for two meals today.

[Chuckling] What?

Cat got your tongue?

[Grunts] [Object shatters] [Wolves growling] [Knives clanging] [El lobo growling] El lobo: Do you know what happens to your kind when they step out of line?

You poisoned our name long enough.

And we won't stop.

[Growls] Every last trace of your people... [Thud, el lobo groans] [Music] [El lobo growling] [Blade clangs] [Knife pierces, el lobo grunts] La nina: Did they take your family, too?

[Music] La Cadeja: They can try silencing us, but... we will never stop fighting for our people.

And I will never stop fighting for you.

Yo prometo.

[Music] [Music] [Shu Ting laughs] [Music] [Music] Announcer: Funding for "Fine Cut: Festival of Films" is generously provided by The Bridges Larson Foundation.