Oscar-Qualified Short TECHNICIANS by the Luu Brothers: Interview/Film Breakdown - Automation to Replace the Human Connection

Ladies and gentlemen, Kevin and Kelly Luu’s Oscar-qualifying short film TECHNICIANS, explore themes of automation and job replacement. The story follows David played by actor J. Alphonse Nicholson, a struggling automation technician tasked with installing self-service manicure stations at a nail salon, where he meets a Vietnamese American nail tech Tippi played by Cathy Bui whose job is under threat. 

This film is a must see short film. Every one of us can relate to the story and the characters. For you ladies out there, you may find yourself supporting your local nail salon even more, because there will always be something very special about small conversation with strangers and even a bit of human touch that can keep humanity intact and in harmony.

About the Guests

Kevin and Kelly Luu are a writer-director duo were inspired by their parents’ harrowing journey to America. The twin brothers are drawn to stories that explore identity from the perspectives of under-represented voices.

They wrote and directed several award-winning short films, including REAL BOY, which won best Sci-Fi film at USC’s First Look Festival, and THE MATTRESS, which received the SCA Edward Small Directing Award and was invited to premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

The brother’s newest film explore themes of automation and job replacement in the Oscar-qualifying short TECHNICIANS. The story follows David, a struggling automation technician tasked with installing self-service manicure stations at a nail salon, where he meets a Vietnamese American nail tech Tippi whose job is under threat. 

This film was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival, was part of the official selection at HollyShorts, and was made as part of Indeed’s Rising Voices program - an initiative set up to discover, invest in and share stories created by BIPOC filmmakers and storytellers.

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