Q&A with Kasho Iizuka

You would actually like him when he’s angry… although 18-year-old Jungo has quite a few reasons to live up to the film’s title. A gay, biracial high schooler who was raised by his feisty single mom, a Filipina bar hostess, he has endured rampant xenophobia, homophobia and bullying, and parental abandonment—his only connection with his father is child support. Thankfully, Jungo also has a loving boyfriend, whose family encourages the two to forge a legal partnership after they graduate, and his mom’s new manfriend is kind and accepting. Kasho Iizuka’s beautifully written first feature explores a full spectrum of prejudices and raucously vents some spleen, while highlighting vital social progress and championing the power of unconditional compassion.

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