Kelly Loves Tony

Following two young Laotian-born Californians as they struggle with parenthood and relationship issues., For this video-dairy documentary, director Spencer Nakasako loaned cameras to Laotian-born Californians Kelly Saeteurn and Tony Saelio, a couple engaged to marry. Seventh-grade dropout Tony, two years after serving time for armed assault, works as a shuttle-bus driver, but possible INS deportation looms. Meanwhile, pregnant 17-year-old Kelly graduates from high school and begins planning for college and a career. After baby Andrew is born, they follow the Iu Mien custom in which the wife moves in with her in-laws. Frustrated when his parents do not move ahead with the marriage plans, Kelly then learns she’s pregnant again. With a video-to-16mm transfer, this film was shown at the 1998 San Francisco Asian-American Film Festival. Nakasako’s process here is similar to that employed on his Emmy-winning A.K.A. Don Bonus (1997).