Asian Men Talk About Sex
When was the last time you saw an Asian man as a superhero, leading man or love interest?
Whether it’s the socially awkward nerd, tech wiz or stoic kung fu master, film and TV continue to emasculate Asian men through unshakeable stereotypes.
These de-sexualized tropes are not only exhausted; they’re damaging, demoralising and just plain untrue, and deny Asian men the humanity and individuality that we are hungry to see on our screens.
Asian Men Talk about Sex is three women’s mission; to challenge the mainstream media’s portrayal of ‘sexy’ by asking every-day Asian men in New Zealand to talk about their sex lives - the good, the bad and the ugly - in order to reclaim it.
These are their unfiltered experiences, perspectives and stories, told their way.
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Chye-Ling HuangDirectorDirector of Proudly Asian Theatre Company
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Ruby Reihana-WilsonProducerMoving dir. Eli Kent and Leon Wadham
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Kelly GilbrideProducerProducer of Proudly Asian Theatre Company
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Calvin SangDirector of PhotographyDirector of Eyes and Ears Ltd
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James RoqueKey CastJono and Ben, 7 Days, Funny Girls
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Tristan ColenzoKey CastClap Clap Riot
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Yoson AnKey CastGhost Bride
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Project Type:Documentary, Short
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Runtime:3 minutes 14 seconds
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Completion Date:June 28, 2017
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Production Budget:6,000 NZD
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Country of Origin:New Zealand
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Country of Filming:New Zealand
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Loading Docs PremierAuckland
New Zealand
August 10, 2017
NZ Premier
Chye-Ling Huang is a Chinese-Pakeha director, writer and actress. A visual storyteller in theatre interested in multi-racial and Asian stories, she co-founded Proudly Asian Theatre company (PAT) as a platform for Asian New Zealanders to tell their stories. Chye-Ling had her Silo Theatre commissioned play Black Tree Bridge read at the Auckland Arts Festival and recently won Playmarket’s development clinic for her new script Orientation, which deconstructs the sexual stereotypes of Asian men. Chye-Ling directs a series of monthly play-readings called Fresh off the Page which employs Asian NZ actors to read contemporary Asian scripts. This will be her first venture into film.
Working as co-founder of Proudly Asian Theatre company, I’m all too aware of the emasculating stereotypes of Asian men. Most of the guys in the film are my friends, co-workers and even my family whom I’m sick of seeing represented as one dimensional idiots on screen. Having confronted my own racial sexual preference over the last few years I was also driven to explore how this happens and how media has an influence on shaping sexual and romantic bias.
Interviewing my Dad about sex was an eye opening part of the project - talking about sex can be a taboo in Asian cultures and in New Zealand culture as well. Hearing my Dad talk about the impact porn culture had on his marriage but also about his journey of self discovery and connection through sex was strange, hilarious and cathartic; confronting our awkwardness and seeing him as a whole human being is what this film is all about.
Loading Docs is an outstanding initiative that supported us to create a story that is exciting, intimate and vital. Asian Men Talk about Sex allows us to tackle a big problem in a unique way and I’m excited for the future of this film.