Sophie is an interesting glance into the life of a dysfunctional Asian-American family.

Told through the eyes of the youngest daughter Sophie who is about 11 or 12 years old, it portrays her as a strong child ready to fight for a better life.

Outstanding acting by the entire cast coupled with a great script and superb directing, draw the viewer completely into the hardships of this family.

The father is expertly portrayed by John Shin.

He has a drinking problem but unlike so many films we've seen before on the affects of alcoholism, here we have to recognise that he is Asian and what it means to be an Asian man. That he is head of the family, husband and father.

That he goes out and earns the money to support them. That it is his duty to support them. That he is to not only be listened to but is to also be obeyed. We learn too that while he is proud of his material western accomplishments, like the fact that Sophie plays beautiful classical music, that he has provided a comfortable home and that he can afford to carry a wad of cash in his pants, he misses his homeland. He yearns for a return to a simple rural life there.

Actress Satya Lee gives a winning performance as the dutiful Asian wife. She has had so much of her self-esteem eaten out of her by her husband's actions that she truly believes she cannot make it on her own.

She has almost no emotional strength with which to help her daughter Sophie contends with life. And so she puts on a brave face - when she has to, and just goes through the motions.

But her two daughters are very modern women; both prepared to fight for what they want. The elder, Margaret, played by Elisabeth Lee, rebels in much the same way most teenagers do with their parents, but she seems to accept that things in the home will not change.

The younger - Sophie, is quieter, more cunning and by the end perhaps too idealistic. Monique Dami Lee gives a captivating performance in the role.

Just shy of half an hour Sophie written and directed by Helen Haeyoung Lee is a well-crafted work of art. An intimate look into another culture, it also serves to prove right the adage that the more we all are different, the more we are all the same.

Ms Lee has already won a number of awards with the film including 2002 Student Academy award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences; the Grand Jury Award from the San Diego Asian Film Festival; Best Narrative, Best Screenplay from Nextframe International Film Festival; Best Acting, Best Cinematography, Best Editing from Cinematexas International Film Festival student competition and Honourable Mention at Urbanworld Film Festival's shorts competition.

Cathy Stovell