Fried Shrimp
From the Archives
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Comedy, Short Films, 19-Dec-2023
A young Jewish woman meets her boyfriend's overbearing Italian family for the first time where she’s forced to endure an awkward meal. Max Cea directs “Fried Shrimp,” a holiday comedy about cultural differences and insensitivities that breaks down into commotion. As they make their way in the car, Elise nervously anticipates meeting Bobby’s family. Upon arrival, Bobby banters with his dad and uncle over drinks while the ladies prepare dinner in the kitchen. Despite her unfamiliarity with one of the specialties on the menu, Elise is assigned by Bobby’s mother and his wary grandmother to clean the shrimp. Over stories and laughs at the dinner table, family lore is revealed making Elise uncomfortable and causing her to wonder what entering this family would entail. With a timeless Holiday score and some oddball occurrences, Cea’s film nostalgically, and comedically, ruminates on a fraught first-time encounter. -JM. Writer/Director: Max Cea; Cast: Emily Wilson, John Connor Hammond, Roberta Pikser, Rory Albanese, Ellen Green Johnson, Steven Cea; DP: Todd Rawiszer; Editor: Alex Thiel; Producer: Mackenzie Jamieson.
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