Riceboy Sleeps

In a movie world seemingly saturated with hyperbolic movies, this comes as a welcome surprise. This movie has no worm holes, no fight scenes that keep going even though the recipient of such violence would've perished in the first 5 seconds, no rags to riches, no spandex, no fancy anything, and yet it still delivers!

Good storytelling. Great acting. Clever cinematography. The sweeping camera work and frame changes was used very effectively.

As a white Canadian boy, I thought the movie did an excellent job with racial discrimination. It wasn't forced on the viewer, and yet it showed how these subtle (and not so subtle) biases affect minorities almost daily. The movie also did a great job of showing how painfully unaware us white Canadians were/are of how impactful these displays of ignorance are. Stanley Park.

What makes this movie though, is the plight of a single mother and son. Great chemistry between these 2 (3) actors. A perfectly paced arc of their growth together.

Brilliant movie. I hope it gets picked up by streaming so more people can see it.

Watch it.... That's all I have to say, just WATCH it. This film connects deeper to immigrants and shows the struggles of an immigrant boy and his mother. The movie shows the boy's childhood struggles and teenage struggles in a subtle/honest yet beautifully shown. This masterpiece also shows the beautiful bond of a mother and son in the most true yet spectacular manner. Not only the story and screenplay's spectacular, but also the artistic side of films. The vivid tones set an intimate and cozy/warm feeling that enhances the relationships and emotions in the movie. In my opinion, this film is perfect in every manner; art of cinema, emotions, dialogue, acting, wonderful cinematography, and much more. MUST WATCH!

Riceboy Sleeps, a film featuring So Young (Choi Seung-yoon) and her adolescent son, Dong Hyun (Ethan Hwang), elegantly portrays the challenges and triumphs associated with immigration. The narrative unfolds as So Young, a single mother, relocates to Canada in the 1990s, seeking a brighter future for herself and her son. However, racial discrimination, cultural conflicts, and personal hardships mar their journey. The escalating tensions in their relationship reach a pivotal moment, prompting a confrontation with their past and a quest for mutual understanding and healing.

While I perceive the portrayal as authentic, it is those who have endured similar experiences who can best attest to its veracity. The performances by the lead actors are compelling, effectively capturing the nuances of cultural identity and the dynamics of a mother-son relationship. Riceboy Sleeps is characterised by its prolonged shots and visually arresting scenes, fostering a contemplative viewing experience. The film delves into themes of identity, loss, and family dynamics, universal aspects of the human experience.

Despite receiving acclaim and numerous accolades, Riceboy Sleeps may not resonate with all audiences. The director's methodical storytelling approach may not appeal to some viewers, and the film's ambiguous ending could be a source of discontent for others. The movie's emphasis on subdued emotions and nonverbal communication might pose interpretative challenges.

It is important to note that Riceboy Sleeps is not a conventionally entertaining film. However, those seeking a thoughtfully crafted drama will appreciate its sensitive portrayal of the immigrant experience, the excellence of the performances, and the film's visually stunning cinematography.

I'm glad it wasn't all about immigration and integration. It captures what is being human when others see you as a mere immigrant. The discrimination and integration scenes might seem cliche but that is exactly what I (immigrant child in the 90's) went through. Changing name, food shame, parents views on violence, discipline etc.

When the boy goes to Korea to meet family he suddenly feels comfortable, that side of him that was only revealed at home with his mother now can come out and it's normal.. not something to give up on in the name of "integration". Now the blond hair that was meant to impress a Canadian audience feels dumb, he reaches more clarity with exposure to his roots.

But the story was always about the mother, not her as an immigrant but as a resilient woman that lived with love, never gave up and lived with love. It seems obvious but in all truth we don't give these kind of women enough credit. A simple story with so much depth that all people that have gone through this will know how accurate it is.

A single mother and her young son immigrate from Korea to Canada, and she struggles (and reasonably succeeds) in making a new life and adjusting to their new surroundings. The story is told in 3 acts. First is when the son enters Grade 1, second is when he is a teenager in Canada, and third is when she takes him to Korea to learn about his roots.

The director gives memorable sweeping vistas of Korea, as opposed to the more gritty views of life in Canada. But neither country is fully accepting, and it is interesting to see the hypocrisy of a school that tolerates verbal assaults, but has zero tolerance of physical assault. Things do get easier as more immigrants arrive, and life becomes less lonely.

There are interesting vignettes of Korean culture, but they do not seem to drive the plot forward, and there are major loose ends.