This is a beautiful (story, visuals, score, etc.) and heartbreaking film. Sobbed

Riceboy Sleeps is a deeply sympathetic and emotionally resonant film. It's compassionate, gentle and graceful. It's about place and the strong bonds of family. Director Anthony Shim has based this film on his own personal experiences of moving from Korea to Canada. In this superb film So-Young moves to Vancouver with her young son Dong-Hyun. Mother gets a factory job, whilst son goes to primary school. Both struggle to fit in and find friends. Dong-Hyun is even called 'riceboy' by cruel schoolmates. We then move forward about ten years. So-Young is still in the same job, but has made friends, whilst Dong-Hyun goes by David and has managed to find friends and adapt to Canadian life. But both still have periods of unsettledness and David wants to find out more about his father. This will eventually lead to an emotional journey back to Korea. Similar to Minari this fine film examines the difficulties of settling in a new country whilst also focusing on the powerful dynamics of family. It's smart and honest and also emotionally powerful. It features fine acting from relative unknowns and a great score that accentuates the drama. A small film but certainly a powerful one.

Setting aside all the hype for movies that cover DEI matters, this movie is really well directed.I absolutely loved how realistic and authentic the movie was.

This is an excellent movie based on a true story, and it is well worth seeing. I would highly recommend it to anyone who can appreciate a good drama story about the life of immigrants in Canada. It demonstrates the hard ships, the racial discrimination and the cruelty of children to children because they are different. Definitely a must see!

Riceboy Sleeps, directed by Anthony Shim, is an emotionally resonant and deeply moving film that takes us on a journey of identity, family, and belonging. Set in 1990s Canada, it immerses you in the lives of a Korean single mother and her teenage son as they navigate the challenges of immigrant life with unwavering determination. The film's meticulous attention to detail and heartfelt storytelling grip your heart, immersing you in the struggles and sacrifices faced by immigrant families. The performances are nothing short of remarkable. The beautiful cinematography paints a vivid picture of their experiences, capturing the essence of their cultural identity and the complexities of assimilation. Riceboy Sleeps left me breathless and actually tearing up. This is a rollercoaster of emotions that linger long after the credits roll. It is an absolute gem, a cathartic exploration of the Asian-North American immigrant experience that stands as one of the most powerful and standout films of this year!! Just wow

This movie is often heavy handed and melodramatic. The characterization is strange, and the dialog is often cringey. I like the cinematography but sometimes it feels out of place with the bad writing. I really can't recommend it unless you really enjoy melodrama and like the context.