Saturday Class

Saturday Class tells a light-hearted, slice-of-life story set in a family-run Chinese bakery exploring parenting philosophies and the pressures faced by the immigrants of different generations.

Saturday Class is a deeply personal reflection on the challenges and ideologies immigrant parents pass on to their children, particularly concerning success, class, and mental health. Growing up with a single immigrant mother, I experienced firsthand how love and ambition are filtered through cultural expectations, often shaping how we define happiness and success. These teachings, though rooted in care, can sometimes place unseen pressures on the younger generation, affecting their well-being. The idea for this story was sparked by a conversation I overheard, where a relative expressed concern over her young son’s friendships, believing that aligning with upper-class families would secure his future. This moment encapsulated a larger issue — the tension between love, ambition, and social mobility, which many families face. In Saturday Class, I wanted to bring this to life by exploring two mothers who represent different but interconnected views on parenting and success, showing how these ideologies are perpetuated across generations. The film challenges the notion of the "perfect minority," an internalized ideal that is often driven by the pressures of classicism and financial stability. It’s a tough topic to navigate, especially between generations that hold different worldviews. By creating a relatable and intimate story, my goal is to foster empathy and understanding between generations and across cultures, encouraging audiences to reconsider the doctrines they've inherited. The setting of Saturday Class, a family-run Chinese bakery, pays homage to Furama, a beloved Asian bakery in Toronto’s Chinatown. For many of us, Furama holds nostalgic value, evoking memories of our childhoods. Through this setting, I hope to transport the audience back to a time and place that feels familiar and loved, creating a connection that transcends the screen. Ultimately, Saturday Class is a story that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with cultural expectations, class