The APAHM Project Day 16: Lolo and the Kid
- Lauren
- May 15
- 6 min read
Movie: Lolo and the Kid
Directed By: Benedict Mique
Release: 2024
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why It Made The List:
Even though in the "rules" for The APAHM Project clearly states foreign films don't typically make the cut, one seems to make its way on to the list every year. In an attempt to show that even though it's AANHPI Month, which also includes South and South East Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, there is definitely a gap in American media for these underrepresented groups. Lolo and the Kid may be just a normal movie in the Philippines, but the inclusion of it in this year's list symbolizes so much more.
My Thoughts:
Lolo and the Kid didn't win an awards. It wasn't nominated for an Oscar or have its premiere at a prestigious film festival. It didn't debut in the Top 10 of America's Netflix. All of the actors are probably unknown to the common American. So why did it make the list?
Honestly, I was Googling AAPI movies released in 2024 and am always looking for more Pasifika or South Asian American movies because I try to make the list represent as many groups as possible. I'm fully aware of my unconscious bias to include more East Asian-led titles since I myself am East Asian. But I don't think we have covered an exclusively Filipino film since 2022.
Approximately 4.6 million people in the United States identify as Filipino according to the 2023 census. Their history in the US is an important one, an event that first comes to mind is the Delano Grape Strike of 1965. And there are many Filipino-American actors who come to mind: Vanessa Hudgens, Dante Basco, Hailee Steinfeld, Olivia Rodrigo, Dave Bautista, Darren Criss just to name a few off the top of my head. But I feel almost none of these actors play Filipino characters. That is, the movies they are in don't ooze Filipino pride and representation.
When I came across Lolo and the Kid, it had several appealing factors: the run time was a big pro in my book and the trailer looked sweet. Lolo and the Kid is about an older man (Lolo or "grandfather") who is homeless and lives on the street. He finds Kid as an infant and cares for him like his own. Together, they use their incredible acting skills to swindle and con wealthy couples who are looking to adopt Kid. They promise they will take good care of Kid, that Lolo can visit whenever he wants, and even offer or agree to give Lolo some cash. After a tearful goodbye, Kid and Lolo go their separate ways. That is until night time falls and Kid robs the couples and sneaks out to meet Lolo.
They go through the same routine over and over again. Once they pawn off their treasures, they use the money to buy clothes, ice cream, go to the amusement park, sing karaoke, and stay in a motel. Once the funds dry up, they scout another couple to con. It's all fun and games until you learn each couple's struggle with adoption, fertility, or even the loss of their own child. And once Kid gets hurt trying to make a run for it, Lolo thinks it's goodbye for real. Kid escapes the hospital and the two of them go to the beach. A real vacation. They swim and take Polaroids and watch the sunset.
Finally, they meet a couple who lost their child to cancer. Lolo realizes that Kid deserves a real family, who will love him and take him to school. And he leaves Kid to cry behind a locked gate with his new family. Kid feels betrayed, yelling out "Partners Forever" and that he loves Lolo. It was a truly heart breaking moment, even if you saw it coming from a mile away.
Years go by and Kid has graduated from school. He gets a phone call and discovers Lolo is sick. He visits Lolo in the hospital and takes him to all their old stomping grounds like the pawn shop and karaoke. They put on their favorite song "Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers and Lolo passes peacefully. Kid finds a box of polaroids in Lolo's bag and discovers that Lolo was always with him. Lolo had taken photos of Kid's birthday party, graduation, and graduation party. Truly partners forever through the years.
This movie had nothing to do with being Filipino. The characters could have been any race, any nationality. They don't "do" anything specific to Filipino culture. They don't make a point to highlight a city landmark. Heck, I don't even think they show any traditional Filipino foods. The movie is just as simple as an old man and young boy, lost and abandoned, making the most of their days together. Fulfilling parts of each other they were missing and having fun. The fact that the movie lacks any details identifying its country of origin just shows how universal our stories can be. The Philippines are on the other side of the world, and yet this movie was interesting, heartfelt, and moving. I didn't have to feel a sense of "Asian pride" to enjoy it. I didn't have to know Filipino to understand it. I just had to be human to connect to this human story (which you better believe had me in tears).
In Conclusion:
Every year I am hesitant to include a foreign film because part of the goal of The APAHM Project is to show how well or poorly American media is doing to have more AANHPI representation. Something like Lolo and the Kid could be seen as a dime a dozen overseas (it did reach #1 on Netflix Philippines in its first week). And it seems only a few foreign films gain traction in the US, especially Asian ones.
I would say, as I have mentioned in previous years, American media has a long way to go for the betterment of South Asian, Southeast Asian, Pasifika, and Native Hawaiian representation. How many more Moana's can they make? What happens when The Rock retires? The inclusion of foreign films in the APAHM Project shows the lack of titles for these groups.
Lolo and the Kid is a great example of taking a chance on watching a foreign film. Yes, reading subtitles can be a lot these days with our shorter attention spans and burnout. Like if I just spent all day reading emails, why would I want to unwind by reading my movies? But foreign films can give us glimpses into a country and its people. It can give us a better understanding of cultures. The Filipino experience is different than the Filipino-American experience and it's a shame we don't have more stories in Western media for us to learn more about it.
All in all, Lolo and the Kid was just a great film. Moving, easy to watch, fun. Not a Filipino movie, not a foreign movie, just a movie.
Shout Out!
Today's shout out is not to a small business, but rather an opportunity to donate to the Kapwa Strong Fund. On April 26, less than a week from Asian Heritage Month in the US, the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, BC Canada was attacked by an act of racial violence. 11 people lost their lives in the incident, ranging from 5-65 years old. What was meant to be a celebration of culture, tradition, and heritage became the grounds for tragedy.
Per their site, KAPWA "is a term that describes the Filipino experience of community, interconnectedness and shared humanity. Many Filipinos practice this value through solidarity." 100% of donations that United Way BC collects will go towards counseling, assistance, and trauma services.
As we participate in The APAHM Project and have important conversations about humanity, equality, representation, and sympathy, let's remember our stories are not just for entertainment. Diversity and representation are not "trends" to increase box office numbers. The people on screen represent real people. And through watching these movies and therefore furthering our understanding of cultures and people, we can begin the sympathize. We can begin to acknowledge the injustices they face. We can no longer be victims of ignorance but instead learn to be allies. We can replace hatred and racism with love and acceptance.
Today, take a moment to remember their names: Maria Victoria Bjarnason, Jendhel May Sico, Rizza Pagkanlungan, Jenifer Darbellay, Glitza Daniela Samper, Glitza Maria Caicedo, Daniel Samper, Richard Le, Linh Hoang, Katie Le, Kira Salim.
If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:
The Farewell on VOD
Lion on Netflix
Running for Grace on Tubi
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