It’s not where you’re from. It’s where you belong.|Sep. 10, 2021|United States | Canada|119 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Crime;Drama;Family;History;Kids;Mystery;Reality;Romance
Description: **Blue Bayou: A Story of Struggle and Resilience**
Antonio LeBlanc, a Korean American adoptee, works as a tattoo artist near New Orleans and lives with his pregnant wife Kathy, a rehabilitation nurse, and her daughter Jessie. Despite his efforts to support his family, Antonio’s criminal record makes it difficult to find additional work, prompting Kathy to consider returning to her job to help with finances.
Tensions escalate when Antonio is violently arrested by NOPD officers Ace and Denny, the former being Jessie’s estranged biological father. The arrest leads to Antonio being detained by ICE, as his adoptive parents never completed his naturalization under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. Facing deportation, Antonio and Kathy seek legal assistance from immigration lawyer Barry Boucher, who requests a $5,000 retainer but warns that if the appeal fails, Antonio will be banned from returning to the U.S.
During this difficult time, Antonio befriends Parker, a terminally ill Vietnamese refugee who moved to America as a child after losing her mother during their journey. Parker invites Antonio and his family to a cookout after he tattoos a Fleur-de-lis on her. Unable to afford Barry’s legal fees, Antonio and his friends resort to stealing motorcycles, a risky endeavor that nearly gets him caught.
Antonio eventually pays Barry, claiming the money came from work advances, but Kathy grows suspicious. Barry reveals that Antonio’s best chance for a successful appeal lies in seeking support from his adoptive mother, who is still alive. Antonio had concealed this from Kathy, fearing judgment due to his adoptive mother’s refusal to protect him from his abusive adoptive father.
Devastated by Antonio’s secrecy and his unwillingness to reconcile with his adoptive mother, Kathy takes Jessie and moves in with her own mother. Feeling hopeless, Antonio distances himself from Parker, severing their friendship.
*Blue Bayou* is a poignant tale of love, family, and the fight for justice in the face of systemic challenges.
Cast director: Justin Chon
Cast actor: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Mark O’Brien, Linh Đan Phạm, Sydney Kowalske, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Emory Cohen, Geraldine Singer, Toby Vitrano, Altonio Jackson
Original name: Blue Bayou