Learning English
The blurb: An enthusiastic new arrival to the US seizes an unorthodox opportunity to practice her language skills.
This short is genuinely funny and will leave you with a smile. Our protagonist unexpectedly becomes part of a phone-sex threesome when she decides to use a random phone call to practice her English. The comedy also provides a great way to explore the experience of being a new immigrant. It’s a great film.
Although, one comment: I was struck by how much the sex scene in this plays out like a stereotypical porn scene. Perhaps it’s for dramatic effect or perhaps that’s just how people get it on now?
Short of the Week says
“[Director Jean Liu] revealed that she wrote the screenplay shortly after moving to the U.S. from Shanghai. Despite having grown up in the UK and speaking English, she admitted she “felt an immense culture shock and alienation”. On top of that, she confessed, when she got a new SIM card, she kept receiving texts and calls intended for the previous owner – a strange and unexpected quirk of starting over in a new country.”
Learning English had its World Premiere at the 2024 edition of SXSW. It went on to play at multiple festivals including Salute Your Shorts, where it won the Best Comedy Award.
If you can’t see the film here, watch it on Vimeo or on Short Of The Week.
Length: 11.28
Director: Jean Liu
Year: 2025