Synopsis

Free admission! The screening will be introduced by filmmaker Sondy Lu. A Q&A will follow the screening.

Dear Watsonville is a mixed-media documentary offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of the manong generation, the first generation of Filipino migrants to arrive en masse to the U.S., as seen through the eyes of their children. It unfolds in three distinct vignettes, each focusing on the migration stories and day-to-day experiences of three Filipino families. The film distinguishes itself with its experimental use of community-sourced oral histories, archival images, and hand-drawn illustrations. Together, these elements weave a moving narrative about resilience, placemaking, and childhood.

This screening is in conjunction with the exhibition For All The Ghosts. This screening is presented as part of UCR ARTS’ AAPI Film Series Supported by the Voy and Fay Wong Family Endowment.

Film Details

Directors: Sondy Lu
Running Time: 17 minutes
Country: USA
Release Year: 2025
Rated: Unrated