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Bad Axe

  • 2022
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
551
YOUR RATING
Bad Axe (2022)
A real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump's rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and generational scars from the Killing Fields.
Play trailer2:31
1 Video
2 Photos
Documentary

A real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump's rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and g... Read allA real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump's rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and generational scars from the Killing Fields.A real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump's rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and generational scars from the Killing Fields.

  • Director
    • David Siev
  • Stars
    • Skyler Janssen
    • Michael Meinhold
    • Chun Siev
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    551
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Siev
    • Stars
      • Skyler Janssen
      • Michael Meinhold
      • Chun Siev
    • 29User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 24 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast7

    Edit
    Skyler Janssen
    • Self
    Michael Meinhold
    • Self
    Chun Siev
    • Self
    Jaclyn Siev
    • Self
    Rachel Siev
    • Self
    Raquel Siev
    • Self
    Austin Turmell
    • Self
    • Director
      • David Siev
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    7.5551
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    Featured reviews

    9rbsteury

    An engrossing documentary that rings true.

    My wife and I saw this yesterday at the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF). We live in rural Michigan on the other side of the state from Bad Axe but our little town could be theirs (except we don't have a Walmart, thank God.) But the sentiment of many in Bad Axe is pretty much the same as our town.

    As a member of the Cambodian-Mexican family that director & cinematographer David Siev is documenting, he lovingly shot this intimate story of the travails of his family during the COVID years in an area that suspected Asian families, especially those that were public about their sympathies. Family members were shown including their flaws and moments of anger and despair. I think this was a very honest film.

    And how wonderful it was to see the entire family at the TCFF showing. It is impressive that their restaurant /bar (which so struggled during the quarantine) is doing better than ever and is embraced by most in their community. David has returned the love. (And you gotta love how feisty David's sister, Jaclyn, is throughout the difficult times for all of them.)
    10dnacyc

    Great film for opening night SDAFF!

    I laughed, I cried, and I was inspired! What more can you ask from a movie? Despite the fact that it was a documentary, I really enjoyed the drama and story arc, all very deftly carved out in the intense setting of COVID lockdown and the rise of anti-Asian racism. This film was featured on opening night of the San Diego Asian Film Festival and we were so fortunate to have Jaclyn, Chun, Rachel and Kat answer some of our questions. Hearing them speak live made me appreciate even more how skillfully David Siev edited their natural voices to provide such depth of meaning and continuity with such a delicate and loving eye.
    10jpscott-93991

    Bad Axe in Bad Axe

    I saw Bad Axe in Bad Axe. The movie is honest and accurate. The events portrayed happened exactly as shown.

    The film is about an Asian-American family that owns and operates a restaurant in Bad Axe. Through the film they fight to keep their business alive in the face of the pandemic and the upheaval of the 2020 elections. It is a beautiful movie about a difficult period in history.

    Go see it!
    10snieland

    This is love....

    A movie about what it means to "truly" love.... Wow. As intimate as you can get - so well done.... What a gift.... Thank you dear family for being who you are for our benefit - you define hope.
    10asleea

    resonates with all Americans

    For anyone who appreciates the struggle and achievement of the American dream, this excellent documentary resonates. In the backdrop of the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, anti-Asian racism, neo-Nazis, and anti-masking, there is a heartfelt and revealing story of a Cambodian-Mexican-American family who emerged from extremely humble beginnings in America to become a vital part of the small town of Bad Axe. The film reminds me of the consistent question it presents which is, "How do we become better people?" When the next crisis happens, we will again witness as the director has in this film that there are people who will rise to do better and be better as well as people who are unwilling to value anybody who is not white. Called a "love letter", the film is really to me a love lesson in teaching the values of communication and self-reflection when we look at what we're doing to each other. Highly recommend.

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Bad Axe?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 18, 2022 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • official website
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Rachel's, 754 N Van Dyke Rd, Bad Axe, MI, USA(Restaurant featured in documentary.)
    • Production company
      • The deNovo Initiative
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,696
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,991
      • Nov 20, 2022
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,696
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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