Terminally Ill Mother's Heartbreaking Choice to Protect Troubled Son

Rosemead, a 2025 Tribeca Film Festival premiere, is a gripping drama based on a true story detailed in a 2017 Los Angeles Times article. Directed by Eric Lin and adapted by Marilyn Fu, the film follows Irene, a struggling Chinese American mother played by acclaimed actress Liu. Irene is an ailing woman who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son Joe, portrayed by Lawrence Shou.

As Joe's dark obsessions grow and time runs out, Irene is forced to make impossible choices: how far will she go and what is she willing to sacrifice to help her son? The film explores the heartbreaking realities of a schizophrenia diagnosis and the desperate measures a parent may take to shield their child. Liu, who has earned multiple film festival awards for her performance, brings a raw, emotional depth to the role, drawing from her own childhood experiences speaking Mandarin.

Rosemead is a powerful exploration of a mother's love and the unimaginable decisions she must face to protect her family. The film does not offer easy answers, but instead gives the audience a place to question the boundaries of sacrifice and the human capacity for resilience in the face of unthinkable circumstances.