Debut: Silent Battles in ‘Cancer Before Cancer’ & navigating cultural expression in the modern world in ‘Slick Talk’
Cancer Before Cancer (2023) portrays the harsh realities faced by many Peruvians who lack immediate access to healthcare resources. Released by the Peruvian Cancer Foundation on August 1st, 2023, the short film aims to raise awareness of these disparities and raise funds for underprivileged patients—in alignment with their annual fundraising campaign called “Ponle Corazon” since 1983. The four-minute short follows a young girl recently diagnosed with cancer and an older woman, presumably her mother, as they leave their home to travel to the city for cancer treatment. The journey is arduous, highlighting the constant movement and challenges the characters face. Their transport includes a motorcycle, a bus, and the back of a truck, illustrating the physical toll of accessing healthcare. However, the film’s true focus is on the emotional toll endured by families before a loved one undergoes treatment.
The narrative begins with a serene ocean scene, soon shifting to the departure of the mother and daughter from their home. A particularly emotional moment unfolds later in their journey during a pitstop. The mother, needing a moment alone, leaves her daughter and retreats to the bathroom to cry out of her daughter's sight. This scene powerfully demonstrates the emotional upheaval and the daunting journey families undertake to seek treatment. During this time, the bus drives away without them, forcing them to hitchhike and be brought into the back of a truck.
The film subverts expectations by focusing more on the mother's experience than the daughter's, emphasizing the message that the fight (for everyone) begins even before treatment. Notably, the daughter is the last character introduced, never shown alone or in close-up. In contrast, the mother is the central focus at the film's beginning and the audience is allowed into a private moment during the bathroom scene. This focus continues when they finally arrive at the hospital, with the camera capturing a close-up of the mother's face, not the daughter’s. Through minimal dialogue, Cancer Before Cancer masterfully conveys its story through cinematography and acting. The film excels in portraying the pre-treatment struggles of families, emphasizing the emotional and logistical battles they face even before the medical fight against cancer begins.
Slick Talk (2023) is a short film that follows Kiki (Jess Hu), a Chinese American girl navigating the music industry as an aspiring hip-hop artist. The film delves into Kiki's struggle with her identity, particularly as she approaches a meeting with a potential music manager (Paris Peterson). This conflict is established in the opening scene, where her latest music video plays on her laptop alongside cover art featuring Nicki Minaj’s controversial song “Chun Li” and an Instagram photo of a Chinese girl. The inclusion of “Chun Li,” a song criticized for cultural appropriation, sets the stage for the film’s exploration of cultural boundaries. In Minaj's video, she emphasizes Asian stereotypes by referencing (and wearing) chopsticks in her hair, conical hats, and other imagery, sparking debate about where admiration ends, and appropriation begins. Slick Talk mirrors this controversy, positioning Kiki as the potential "culture vulture," navigating the fine line between appreciation and appropriation in the hip-hop world.
Kiki's appearance highlights her identity struggles. She sports long braids and a bold fashion sense, choosing a bralette and baggy pants over more conservative attire typical in many Asian cultures. Yet, in the next scene, she attempts to apply double-eyelid tape—a popular Asian beauty product designed to make eyes appear larger. This juxtaposition raises questions about cultural expression and authenticity, particularly regarding the ongoing discourse around Black hairstyles on non-Black individuals. Rather than outright condemning or condoning these choices, the film probes the motivations behind them. Slick Talk does not shy away from examining the thin line between cultural appreciation and reduction to mere aesthetics. Kiki exists in a liminal space: an outsider in the Chinese American community, viewed as a “culture vulture” in the hip-hop world, and ultimately having her Chinese heritage diminished by the music manager by the film short’s end. This leaves Kiki at a crossroads, forced to make pivotal decisions about her identity and career.
There are numerous direct references to Kiki's inner conflict throughout the short film. For instance, a brief interaction between a young Asian girl and a Black woman triggers a moment of self-reflection for Kiki. This internal struggle is visually represented by a mirror that divides her reflection later in the film as well. Through Kiki's journey, the film invites a deeper conversation about the dichotomy of cultural identity and the complexities of navigating multiple cultural spheres. The climactic scene with the music manager encapsulates these themes, leaving audiences to wonder about Kiki’s ultimate choice and the broader implications for cultural expression in the modern world.
