HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! Jadey Duffield’s filmography showcases her affinity for the action genre. Given that, it is not a surprise that the writer-director turns romance and action on their heads in The Last Dumpling. Additionally, it demonstrates that, in under 4 minutes, it is possible to convey characters, comedy, action, and romance all without dialogue.
Ren (Shinji Ishigaki) and Alex (Samuel Mak) are on a first date. They’re making cute but bashful eyes at each other when the bartender (Kaiya Costello-Ross) delivers their appetizer of dumplings. Each man has one dumpling, leaving a single dumpling on the plate. Ren uses his chopsticks to block Alex from getting it. Alex slides through, but Ren counters. The plate spins about the table as the couple duel it out to feed their hunger.
“…a single dumpling on the plate. Ren uses his chopsticks to block Alex from getting it.”
The Last Dumpling is as absurd as the above synopsis makes it sound. The initial combat begins with a Sergio Leone close-up of Ren and Alex’s eyes. There’s a wonderful bit about trying to keep the dumpling off the floor. But the biggest laugh stems from a slow-motion gag that would be awful to ruin. The actors convey a ton through their body language and make for a believable, if bloodthirsty, couple.
The Last Dumpling is pure fun. The action is frenzied and exciting. The laughs are consistent. The two leads are great. What more could one want from a short film?
The Last Dumpling screened at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival.
"…pure fun."
