Lessons on Assimilation and Identity | Kaaway Film's Wester Demandante, Jace Izuno & Elijah Justice

Kollective Hustle’s Romeo Marquez sits down with short film "Kaaway" director, Wester Demandante, lead actors, Jace Izuno and Elijah Justice and talks about the inspiration behind the film and explores the intricacies of trying to understand where to belong as Filipino-Americans.

Winner of the Asian American International Film Festival, the Asian World Film Festival, the Pasadena International Film Festival and countless more, the well-decorated “Kaaway” comes at an important time in our social canon: Lack of representation in film/TV has been crucial in the shaping of our cultural identities. The film was created to give the community a chance to see ourselves on screen, appreciate our culture and physical features, and acknowledge our complexities and nuances. It also aims to empower more Filipino filmmakers/actors in an industry that has historically ignored them; to change media with unheard of, but necessary stories. This story highlights the Filipino-American experience, which can at times be convoluted, through the simple perspectives of two young boys.

“Kaaway,” which means enemy in a couple Filipino dialects, is a story set in the mid ‘90s of the U.S. and focuses on two 11-year-old Filipino boys, Jonathan and Calag. After getting into a fight at school, they are forced to spend the day at the same house and the discord is inescapable. The film's central themes are assimilation, shame, and masculinity.