A SON’S BURDEN
Vincent is reunited with his estranged dying father, Frank. In a desperate and bitter plea, Frank has asked his son to do what he can no longer do himself — end his suffering.
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A Son’s Burden explores intergenerational trauma, the cycle of violence, and the struggle to break free from a past that continues to shape who we become. At the center of the film is a deeply fractured relationship between a father and son, reunited under extraordinary circumstances. Frank’s final request forces Vincent to confront the father who abused both him and his mother, along with the lasting impact that violence has had on his life. What initially appears to be a plea for mercy gradually becomes something more complicated—a final struggle over power and control.
I was particularly interested in the idea that escaping an abuser does not necessarily mean escaping their influence. Vincent has spent much of his life running from his father, yet in many ways has become a product of the world Frank created for him. His ultimate choice becomes less about forgiveness or revenge and more about whether he can finally make a decision that belongs to him. For me, the film is ultimately about whether we can recognize the damage passed down to us and find a way to stop passing it on.