We Are Kings (Tribeca 2025) Short Film Review & Summary
In We Are Kings, two boys use pirated discs to start a business in 2001, with the hopes it could make them some money, and maybe help one get a girl.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“We Are Kings” Short Film Details
- Runtime: 0 Hour(s) and 12 Minutes
- Seen Via: Film Festival – Tribeca Film Festival | Screener
- Released On: In Theaters
- Public Release Date: June 8, 2025
- Director(s): Frank Sun
- Writer(s): Frank Sun
- Primary Language: English
- Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Young Adult
- Rating: Not Rated
Summary
Using the internet from where Lin’s mom works, Lin (Kenny Ridwan) and Walid (Mahi Alam) create bootlegs. It’s 2001, so BitTorrent and a good downstream aren’t the norm, and the original idea was that the duo could make a killing. However, between the crush Lin has and a potential business partner he has found, there is a need to question if Lin may ice out Walid.
What To Expect In “We Are Kings” (Not Rated) – Content Overview
- Dialog:
- Cursing: Occasional
- Violence: Nothing Notable
- Sexual Content: Nothing Notable
- Miscellaneous:
- Drug Use: Recreational
- How Emotional: It’s Not
Links
- Check out our movies page for our latest movie reviews and recommendations.
- Official Site Link
- More Coverage Of The 2025 Tribeca Film Festival
Review and Commentary
On The Fence
It Cuts Off Before It Can Get Good
Unfortunately, We Are Kings is the type of short that presents a premise but doesn’t get to flesh it out. So, the foundation is there, with a focus on two kids who are likely outsiders in Carrboro, North Carolina. Lin is East Asian, and Walid is a bit harder to pin down, but is definitely non-white. So you can imagine with Lin pursuing a girl, and willing to sacrifice or burden Walid in pursuit of that, it could be the beginning of the end.
But while the core story that could be explored is there, there are questions that go unanswered. Mainly, whether anyone beyond Walid knew that Lin’s mom worked at the local Chinese restaurant, and why he seemed ashamed of her? With only getting a small peek into his and Walid’s life, you have to make some assumptions, and whether or not we’re stereotyping/ following the usual narratives for stories like this or not is hard to say.
However, there is certainly something there to build off on.
Overall
It would be interesting to see what comes of this story, assuming Frank Sun expands it. From focusing on an Asian lead, their life in 2001 North Carolina, the rise of accessible pirating, and how Lin’s social dynamics could change as he develops some sense of power, it could all make for a good movie, maybe even a show.
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