In this episode, we sit down with director Benny Chen to discuss his striking short film Hand. Chen dives into the inspiration behind the film, the creative choices that shaped its unique visual language, and the challenges of telling an intimate story through minimalism. We explore the themes of connection, identity, and physical expression, as well as what it takes to bring a short film from concept to screen. Whether you’re a filmmaker or just love discovering bold new voices, this conversation offers an insightful look into the mind behind Hand. Taiwanese-born, California-based director, writer, producer Benny Chen, with his new short film “Hand”, seeks to give voice and dignity to Asian communities in the US often pushed to the margins, enduring economic hardship to support their families while also facing increased stigmatisation in the wake of the pandemic. “Hand” was recently selected for screening at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival. “Hand” follows Lin (Zhan Wang), who, like many of his compatriots, works as an undocumented cook in a Chinese restaurant. The camera traces his movements, his routine in the kitchen, highlighting the noise of the stove, the sizzle of bubbling oil, the sweat, the concise orders, alternating with solitary moments of rest in his bare, silent room. His only link to his family is a mobile phone, dispensing good and bad news: a little sweet talk with his son, his wife asking for money, updates about his brother. Isolation and disconnection define the life of this gentle soul who, despite his exhausting routine, never fails to accommodate even the most demanding customers. Yet he becomes the unwitting victim of blind hatred, rooted in forces that have little to do with him, turning him into a scapegoat for repressed frustrations. However, a brief, sympathetic exchange and a gentle gesture from a co-worker (Wilma Rivera) offer a moment of comfort, capable of stirring deep emotions.
