Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
To this day, I still have vivid memories, as a young boy in Montreal, of being taken to RBI Richstone Bakery for a chocolate glazed doughnut while my mother waited to have the live chicken she picked out for dinner to be slaughtered and plucked at the open air market across the street. It instilled in me my love of doughnuts and I do take credit for buying a few of the 500,136,000 doughnuts Tim Hortons sold in Canada in 2011.Hence, I salivated over the offer to view the Documentary THE DONUT KING.
Ted Ngoy was a Cambodian refugee who landed in Los Angeles in 1975 and in a relatively short time created a doughnut empire. Ngoy also employed, mentored and supported thousands of fellow Cambodian refugees. With hard work and determination Ngoy’s donut chain of stores became so successful and saturated the marketplace so strongly that they kept Dunkin’ Donuts from making any impact and that company left LA with its “beavertail” tucked between their legs!
Executive produced by Ridley Scott, Filmmaker Alice Gu has given us a fascinating glimpse into the life of a mogul via documenting the struggles most refugees endure when they are in a strange new land and culture. It portrays the horrors of the war in Cambodia, the brutality of the Khmer Rouge and the fall of Phnom Penh, explaining why so many left. I found it ironic that it was a Republican U.S. President who opened the American borders to refugees with strong opposition from Democrat governors. I also learned that it was the Highway Act of 1957, signed by President Eisenhower that created a fast food culture and demand. THE DONUT KING has a few recreated live action sequences and some stunning animated shots which enhance and further the storyline. It is also a charming and captivating love story which touch on culture clashes and the rich versus the poor. Other than the most irritating end credits hip hop song in the history of cinema, THE DONUT KING had me completely enthralled. It’s yummy delish! Want to know how you can see it?
Indie Distributors are seeking alternatives to reach audiences during the pandemic, and Films We Like is serving up The Donut King with a twist – instead of partnering with cinemas, The Donut King is available to stream via top artisan doughnut shops across Canada. In Toronto, it’s Glory Hole Doughnuts. Each purchase of a stream will help support these local purveyors of sweetness. Participating shops in other Canadian cities are listed below and can be purchased between November 19- December 31.2020.
Toronto – Glory Hole Doughnuts
Montreal – Trou de Beigne
Vancouver – Cartems Donuts
Calgary – Hoopla Donuts
Saskatoon – Darkside Donuts
Winnipeg – Oh Doughnuts
Halifax – Vandal Doughnuts
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