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 “Buzz Cut” is set in Union City, CA in 2013 during a student march to rename a middle school after Filipino labor leaders, Larry Iltiong and Phillip Vera Cruz. We follow Edward, a Filipino-American barber, who’s about to close up shop for the day when Nick, a disillusioned Filipino immigrant teen, enters his store and asks for a buzz cut.
During this chance encounter, Edward learns about Nick’s challenging experience assimilating in America – from bullying in school to a troubling home life. In turn, Edward opens up about the time he grew close to another immigrant teen, Luis. Edward recounts their brief friendship and why it ended with closing himself off from the world. Luis and Nick, as well as the many common threads among immigrants chasing their American Dream, are channeled through efforts like the student marchers’ push for recognition of a larger Filipino legacy. Edward finds a new friend in Nick, and a fonder appreciation for his culture as well as his role in the community. |
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 Kiersten Villanueva is a Filipino-American independent filmmaker born and raised in the Bay Area. After graduating from Dodge College of Film & Media Arts, his recent short film Buzz Cut has screened at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and Beverly Hills Film Festival. He has industry experience as a Development Intern for James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Trevor Noah’s Day Zero Productions, as well as a Writer’s Production Assistant on CBS’ show So Help Me Todd. He currently resides in Los Angeles. |
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Shorts Program VII – Diaspora
Diaspora delves into complex stories of individuals navigating the unknown outside of their comfort zones and far from…
