Bitterroot

Vera Brunner-Sung’s poetic and meditative story follows a quiet middle-aged man named Lue (Wa Yang) who lives with and cares for his mother (Qu Kue) following his failed marriage. To cope, Lue takes frequent walks in the forest where he forages for morels and tries to clear his head. As time passes, he begins to realize he will eventually have to face the issues that weigh upon him.

Bitterroot was shot in the expansive landscape around Missoula, Montana, and set among the local Hmong community, an ethnic group from Eastern and Southeast Asia, who were fully involved in the film’s production. Until recently, Brunner-Sung was a Columbus-based filmmaker and associate professor in Ohio State’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts, and she received support from the Wex’s Film/Video Studio for the creation of Bitterroot. A Q&A with Brunner-Sung and Vang follows the screening. (86 mins, DCP)

IMAGE CAPTION
Bitterroot, courtesy of the artist.