Drawing from some of his own experiences, in Riceboy Sleeps, writer/director Anthony Shim tells an immigrant’s tale of a Korean mother, So-Young (Choi Seung-yoon), and her son Dong-Hyun (a shared role by young Dohyun Noel Hwang and teen Ethan Hwang) attempting to build a new life in Canada after the loss of So-Young’s schizophrenic husband.  While in Canada, they’re faced with discrimination towards their race and So-Young’s meekness – both of them dealing with variations of similar bullying.  They have moments of peace, beginning with private moments between the two of them and then splitting off into their own social circles as Dong-Hyun grows up.  But, the challenges that follow them persist and are ever-changing.  The way Christopher Lew’s brilliant cinematography floats around the film’s subjects is the epitome of being a fly-on-the-wall during these stressful situations.  It’s almost like the camerawork has one foot in the spiritual realm, suggesting that the audience’s perspective is from the spirit of So-Young’s deceased husband.

Similar to Brother, Riceboy Sleeps is a well-made film about rediscovering identity.  Despite eventually confiding in loyal friends, Dong-Hyun struggles to fit in, which he harkens to a disconnect from his Korean heritage.  Because of the heartbreak in her past, So-Young is apprehensive to revisit her past but, soon, understands that time is limited and it may be the only way to find respite from their current pressures.

Aside from its win at last year’s TIFF and being given the Best Canadian Film Award by the Toronto Film Critics Association, Riceboy Sleeps earned a big win at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards with Anthony Shim taking home the award for Best Original Screenplay.  While I also think Shim’s writing (especially his dialogue) is award-worthy, it’s conventionally structured.  His filmmaking, however, is on another level and feels like it offers multiple perspectives at the same time.  An amazing feat for an aspiring director taking a crack at their sophomore feature.

Riceboy Sleeps is now available to stream at the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie