POV Season 11 Episode 5 Kelly Loves Tony

Kelly Loves Tony is the fifth episode of the eleventh season of POV, a documentary series that showcases the work of non-fiction filmmakers. This episode, directed by Spencer Nakasako, is a touching portrait of the interracial relationship between Kelly Huang and Tony Nguyen, two young lovers trying to overcome the obstacles of their cultural differences.

The film begins with Kelly, a Chinese-American, talking about her high school crush on Tony, a Vietnamese-American, whom she had met in a youth group. Despite their mutual attraction, their relationship faced opposition from their families, who had reservations about their interracial dating. Kelly's parents were particularly concerned about the social stigma attached to such relationships within the Chinese community, and they advised Kelly to stay away from Tony.

However, Kelly was determined to pursue her love for Tony and convinced her parents to meet him. Despite some initial reservations, Kelly's parents were won over by Tony's character and intelligence. Tony too was smitten with Kelly and was willing to go the extra mile to win her affection, even learning how to cook Chinese food and speak Mandarin.

As their relationship blossomed, they faced new challenges. For example, Tony was applying for a job at a Chinese restaurant, but his lack of fluency in Mandarin was a major impediment. Kelly attempted to teach him the language, but Tony found it difficult to master. The couple also faced difficulties regarding their personal beliefs, as they navigated the differences between Chinese and Vietnamese cultures.

Through interviews, home videos, and verité footage, the documentary paints a vivid picture of Kelly and Tony's relationship, capturing not only their struggles but also their joy and tenderness. One particularly moving scene sees the couple visiting Tony's ailing grandfather, who speaks of his experiences as a refugee during the Vietnam War. Tony is clearly moved by his grandfather's story, and the scene resonates with the larger themes of the film, such as the immigrant experience and the resilience of the human spirit.

Throughout the film, director Spencer Nakasako employs a gentle and understated approach, allowing the couple's personalities and experiences to hold center stage. The film's intimate focus on the couple's relationship is balanced by broader cultural and sociological themes, such as the tension between immigrant communities and assimilation in the United States.

While the film addresses issues pertaining to interracial relationships, it does so with a light touch, eschewing didacticism or polemic. Rather, the documentary invites audiences to empathize with Kelly and Tony's experience, to see them as individuals rather than representatives of larger cultural and political forces. The couple's love for each other is depicted as a unifying force that transcends differences of race or ethnicity.

All in all, Kelly Loves Tony is a touching and insightful documentary, one that manages to portray a complex cross-cultural relationship without resorting to cliches or stereotypes. The film's ability to humanize its subjects is a testament to Nakasako's skill as a filmmaker, as well as to Kelly and Tony's generosity in sharing their story with the world. Fans of POV and documentary filmmaking in general will find much to appreciate in this moving and uplifting film.