Benny Chen premiered his short film, Hand, during the Cleveland Film Festival in April. The film focuses on an undocumented cook working in a Chinese restaurant. As he tries to navigate the reality of living in the United States, a violent incident causes an imbalance between his work life and his personal life.
Chen forces his main character to confront and question the unspoken sacrifices he’s had to make throughout his life. We spoke to Chen about this short film and the reasoning behind choosing to focus on the story of an immigrant.
Eulalie Magazine: Why do you think it’s so important to share a story about immigrants?
Benny Chen: Immigrants have been in the route in the world right now. Many cultures come and become part of the root for all of us. In a time when people tend to put labels on everything and dehumanize differences, I think it’s important to see everyone simply as human and to understand that underneath all the labels, we are all people just wanting to do good.
Eulalie Magazine: Was there anything in particular that was hard to translate from script to screen?
Benny Chen: I would say to create a repeat life and passing of time that he can’t escape, even after big life changes, visually, would be the hardest thing to translate to the screen. Because Lin is going through the same routine every day, yet something in him is changing, to do that on the screen through montage is definitely a learning experience.
Eulalie Magazine: What do you hope viewers take away from this short?
Benny Chen: I never want to give a certain answer through my work. The only thing I hope to create through my art is to open a door of perspective. When the door is opened, a conversation occurs. Yet it is up to the viewers to determine what path to take after.
Eulalie Magazine: Would you like to expand this story into a feature film?
Benny Chen: Yes! If the opportunity occurred, I would love to give more room to dive into all the characters’ details. I have some basic directions and outlines that I may take.
Eulalie Magazine: Are you working on any future projects?
Benny Chen: I just finished a rough draft for a short film script, which I’m very excited about. It’s a political drama that takes place in high school. Probably need a couple more months to better it, but hoping to shoot it by the beginning of next year!
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Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature known as a Media Relations Expert. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). In addition to Eulalie Magazine, you can find her work published on Tell-Tale TV, Geek Girl Authority, W Spotlight, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.