Freestyle Digital Media, a division of Allen Media Group, has picked up the rights to distribute The Harvest, a drama centered on an Asian-American family.
The movie, which gained recognition as a finalist in the CAPE x Black List and a semi-finalist in the Academy Nicholl Fellowship, tells the story of Thai, who returns home to Southern California after living in San Francisco for years. Upon his return, he must confront his estranged family, including his father who is suffering from kidney failure. The film looks at the intricate aspects of inherited trauma, identity, and the connections within a traditional, male-dominated household.
Caylee So, who previously directed In the Life of Music, Cambodia’s official entry for the Oscars, helmed The Harvest. The cast includes writer Doua Moua (Gran Torino, Mulan), who also stars in the film, alongside Perry Yung (Warrior, The Knick), Dawn Ying Yuen (Forge), Chrisna Chhor, and Lucas Velazquez (100 Dias Para Enamorarnos).
The film has garnered attention on the festival circuit, premiering at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and then screening at Outfest Fusion, CAAMFest, and the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. It has also received accolades such as the Audience Award at the Seattle Asian-American Film Festival and a Special Jury Award at the Cambodian International Film Festival, in addition to a nomination for the Anti Defamation League Stand Up Award.
Director Caylee So commented on the film, saying, “The Harvest stands as a heartfelt tribute to resilience and the delicate threads of family and identity. My hope is that audiences will see their own stories reflected in ours and feel uplifted by the strength and beauty of our shared humanity.”
Doua Moua, the writer and lead actor, added, “It’s about what we inherit, the love and the wounds, and how we make peace with both. There’s a quiet stillness to the pain we carry in families, and my hope is that ‘The Harvest’ connects with anyone who has ever questioned their place in a family or longed to be seen.”
The Harvest will be available for rental or purchase across all major North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on home video formats, starting on June 20.
