There is nothing more encouraging than someone wanting to introduce you to their family, especially when you’re dating. Now, that is not to say that is the premise to Zao Wang’s (Full Moon Club) short A Family Guide to Hunting, because its not. What is the premise though, is our protagonist going on a family trip hiking in the woods with her significant other hoping for everyone to bond more and things go from uncomfortable to downright traumatic and hilarious all in one clean sweep. Given the personalities, the characters involved, and the end results, it’s not entirely far-fetched from something that *could* actually happen.
Margaret Cho as June in A FAMILY GUIDE TO HUNTING. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
The short focuses on Eva (Kahyun Kim), who is a doomsday prepper, fully prepared for any situation and ready to defend herself and ensure her survival. She is hiking with Peter (Craig Newman), her boyfriend, along with her parents Sam (Keong Sim) and June (Margaret Cho). What is important to distinguish is that, unlike Eva, her parents are uptight Korean-American parents, and her boyfriend is 100% American, and their values for a relationship don’t entirely line up with those of her parents. This trip is intended to make them accept her decision, accept Peter, and accept their life together. That is, until things go completely haywire.
L-R: Margaret Cho as June and Kahyun Kim as Eva in A FAMILY GUIDE TO HUNTING. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
A Family Guide to Hunting is a hilariously dark look at culture and sacrifice, and it works because of the genius on screen and off. Zao Wang has the creative ability to come up with something so dementedly twisted and insane that it needs a cast to fully support the chaos that ensues on screen. To create a story that is a recipe for disaster while putting in the cultural differences between Eva and her parents and even between Eva and Craig plays wonderfully.
L-R: Kahyun Kim as Eva, Margaret Cho as June and Keong Sim as Sam in A FAMILY GUIDE TO HUNTING. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
Kahyun Kim (Cocaine Bear) and Margaret Cho (All That We Love) steal the show from start to finish. Margaret, who’s continuously been hilarious, remains the focal point of comedy with her determination as Eva’s mother. On the other hand, Kahyun’s shock and disbelief at the unfolding of events and her general demeanor for the obscenity that occurs throughout the venture are exceptional. Both Kim and Cho bring forth a hilarious comedy of errors of sorts and help bring Wang’s story to life.
Screened during Tribeca Film Festival 2024.
For more information, head to the official Tribeca 2024 A Family Guide to Hunting webpage.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
This sounds hilarious.