Director Tom Huang made the film after his own father went through depression. He had to figure out what the mental illness and get his parents to understand what it is.
“I had to get my parents to understand that depression is a disease, and not just a feeling,” Huang says. “It is hard to get parents to got to the hospital for the flu or a broken arm, so it was difficult to talk to them about getting treatment for mental illness.”
A writer and director for film and television, Huang wrote the dramatic film Find Me, as well as the supernatural web series Unusual Targets.
When casting for Dealing With Dad, it was important to find a good female main lead.
“Ally Maki is terrifically funny and is good for doing dramatic roles.” Huang says.
He looked at funny Asian actresses and wanted someone who were funny and be able to emotional dramatic scenes.
Ally Maki can be seen in the Wrecked television series, and the 2009 television version of 10 Things I hate About You.
Huang says Maki understands dysfunctional families because her brother got into a fistfight during a holiday visit with her family.
The filming process was intense that took place in 14 days.
“I had experience doing independent film,” Huang says. “It was shot during Covid just as people were going through it If anyone had tested positive, it would have been over.”
Someone was given the task of looking after Covid protocols. The cast and crew ended up staying at an Airbnb for the duration of the filming of the movie.
So far, the film has travelled to 35 film festivals across the United States. It will be shown for the first time in Canada during the FascinAsian Film Festival, which continues with Calgary dates this weekend.
Dealing With Dad will the shown at the Central Public Library on May 13 at 7 pm followed by a dessert afterparty. The Calgary portion of the FascinAsian Film Festival takes place May 11 to May 14. For more information for this and other films in the festival, visit www.fascinasian.ca