Phirack Mao escaped the Cambodian genocide as a baby, and now lives in Oklahoma as a donut shop owner and sheriff. Growing up in Long Beach, Cali, Phirack lived amongst gang violence, discrimination, and was kicked out of his home as a teen. This is how he reclaimed his life.

Oklahoma has a small population of Asians,–only 800 or so of the 4 million population are Cambodians like Phirack. Fourteen years ago, Phirack became a donut shop owner, and a couple years after that, he became a sheriff. Unable to enjoy his childhood because of prevalent gang culture and a strict father, Phirack joined law enforcement to make a difference in his small community in Sulphur, OK, where he finally found belonging.

As a father of three, Phirack’s main goal is to provide his children with the life that he wasn’t able to have. But these goals stem from pain in his own relationship with his father, the only member of his family that made it out alive with him. Today, Phirack loves and respects his father but still has a hard time building that relationship.

Director
Joy Jihyun Jeong

Producers
Joy Jihyun Jeong

Editor
Alison Boya Sun

Director of Photography
Alison Boya Sun

Additional Camera
Ella Min Chi

Editor-In-Chief
Keshia Hannam

Head of Production
Stephanie Tangkilisan

Post Supervisor
Syarifah Sa'diyah
Skolastika Lupitawina

Color
Nadya Shabrina

Sound
David Alba

Special Thanks
The Mao Family
Donut Palace
Whiskey Six Tactical

Animator
Aditi Rawat

Additional Music by
High Stepping Jessy - David Benedict
Gritty Desert Slide - Falconer
Faster Than My Dreams - Adam 7
Perception - Borrtes
Fixed - Sweirling Ship

Additional Archival Material
Phirack Mao