Sunday Short Theatre - Munkie (2021)

When it comes to true crime stories, there is TV channels and Netflix who have endless number of films to feed your appetite. Many are documentaries and occasionally drama/thrillers like this week’s Sunday Short Theatre choice Munkie.

This week’s film choice comes from Chinese New Zealander filmmaker Steven Chow. Like many films and shows nowadays this film comes from a story from a Podcast which Steven became obsessed on. Inspired by the story of 24 year old Chinese-Vietnamese girl Jennifer Pan. The story of Rose (Xana Tang), a daughter to strict overbearing immigrant parents who don’t let her do anything and comes up with a cunning plan. With a plan for revenge against her parents in a fake home invasion set herself free, however things don’t go to plan.

We have to say, wow. Steven Chow is certainly an talented filmmaker and this 15 minute film is worth your attention. Steven is no stranger to short films with his debut film The Memory Booth (2007). Munkie is a profound, haunting film that he hopes will provoke discussion. Also looking at family honour and people making bad decisions that would dishonour their families. However this film tries not to portray another ‘cold blood colour’, but try show some empathy or even understand mindset of some. Most of all the generational divide and struggles of Asian families including the youngsters determined to be individuals…

A vengeful daughter’s violent plan of revenge against her domineering “tiger parents” spins out of control.