Sunday Short Theatre - Post Office (2021)

The last few years have been eventful for everyone in many ways all thanks to Covid-19. It’s still impacting our lives, if you are Asian the previous period has been extremely difficult. The right wing media and the muppet formerly in the White House, Captain Chaos Trump spouting his racist rhetoric and white nationalism. Their hatred venting anger to Asian Americans and that Covid was nicknamed “China Virus”, or “Kung Flu”. Sadly that hate arrived in the UK thanks to Trump’s gimp Boris Johnson. This week’s Sunday Short Theatre Post Office steps into that angry bowl of hate and racism which sees several generations of Asian American question their identity.

The film comes from writer/director Courtney Loo and co-director David Karp. The 13 minute film touches base with illegal immigration, ‘Karens‘ and the distrust with the police. To examine ones deeper cultural identity crisis.

Post Office follows a Chinese American mum getting a kids ready for a football match. At school the following day is “Multicultural Day” she gets the Chinese flag ready for that celebration . In the car she notices a young Chinese girl on her own and she decides to help her. The young girl is unable to communicate due to the language barrier and decides to contact the authorities.

This film is close to Loo personally and each scene covering a part of her life. Questioning the woman’s ‘Asianness’, ancestry and the simple fact several generations of families may struggle to understand there heritage. Instead trying to embrace the culture of the country they now live in losing respect for their Chinese/Asian culture. Lots of hard questions lingering guilt and disconnection.

When a Chinese-American mother and her children come upon a seemingly abandoned little girl, their attempts to help have unforeseen consequences.