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This film block contains both documentaries and narratives all centered on finding a stronger sense of belonging through community and kinships. Many of these films center on the importance of building and maintaining bonds in their examination of the dynamics of diasporic Asian American identity.
This screening features 8 films. Toggle between film descriptions by scrolling and clicking on the buttons on the top right.
On her day off, recently dumped and anxious assistant Willow is tasked with aiding her boss's elusive husband with an unusual assignment.
Director Biography - Kathy Meng
Kathy Meng is a Chinese-American writer/director who studied film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her award-winning short Willow and Wu earned Best Screenplay at Brooklyn Film Festival, Best Short Film at Katra Film Series, and received a grant from the NYC Women's Fund. A finalist for the Richie Jackson Artist Fellowship and NYFF Artist Academy, her work has screened at top festivals, including AAIFF and CAAMFest. Kathy draws inspiration from her upbringing in Beijing and Massachusetts to tell multicultural stories
Director Statement
The film’s story is directly inspired by my experience working as a personal assistant to a powerful female CEO. Initially, I was excited to work for a female boss. I had previously worked in male-dominated environments and was hoping that this would be a refreshing change of pace. Yet, the closer I became to the CEO’s life, the more I saw how ruthless she was. Although Mrs. Wu remains an off-screen character, her presence in the film is deeply felt. She represents the first generation of female CEOs who, in order to advance within cutthroat corporate environments, are forced to become more aggressive than their male counterparts.
In contrast, Willow is at a fragile stage of her life – being an assistant to a high-powered boss, she feels vulnerable and disposable. She is underpaid and overworked yet cannot afford to set boundaries for fear of being fired. When Mrs. Wu calls Willow into a weird task on her day off, Willow doesn’t push back. When Wu questions how Willow handles the camera, Willow second-guesses herself.
The way that Willow behaves at work and in her romantic relationship are similar. She is conditioned to accept poor treatment from both her boss and her boyfriend. Willow’s second-guessing is something I’ve personally experienced as a second-generation Chinese American woman, and also something I’ve observed and had conversations about with other children of immigrants; they suffer from imposter syndrome due to high expectations to succeed at school, in relationships, and at work.
- Year2024
- Runtime13 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, Mandarin
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorKathy Meng
- ScreenwriterKathy Meng, Harrison Bacon
- ProducerJenna You, Sam Stulin
- Executive ProducerNic Murphy
- CastMoon Eldridge, Yves Yan, Au Lan Go
- EditorRemy Laflamme
This film block contains both documentaries and narratives all centered on finding a stronger sense of belonging through community and kinships. Many of these films center on the importance of building and maintaining bonds in their examination of the dynamics of diasporic Asian American identity.
This screening features 8 films. Toggle between film descriptions by scrolling and clicking on the buttons on the top right.
On her day off, recently dumped and anxious assistant Willow is tasked with aiding her boss's elusive husband with an unusual assignment.
Director Biography - Kathy Meng
Kathy Meng is a Chinese-American writer/director who studied film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her award-winning short Willow and Wu earned Best Screenplay at Brooklyn Film Festival, Best Short Film at Katra Film Series, and received a grant from the NYC Women's Fund. A finalist for the Richie Jackson Artist Fellowship and NYFF Artist Academy, her work has screened at top festivals, including AAIFF and CAAMFest. Kathy draws inspiration from her upbringing in Beijing and Massachusetts to tell multicultural stories
Director Statement
The film’s story is directly inspired by my experience working as a personal assistant to a powerful female CEO. Initially, I was excited to work for a female boss. I had previously worked in male-dominated environments and was hoping that this would be a refreshing change of pace. Yet, the closer I became to the CEO’s life, the more I saw how ruthless she was. Although Mrs. Wu remains an off-screen character, her presence in the film is deeply felt. She represents the first generation of female CEOs who, in order to advance within cutthroat corporate environments, are forced to become more aggressive than their male counterparts.
In contrast, Willow is at a fragile stage of her life – being an assistant to a high-powered boss, she feels vulnerable and disposable. She is underpaid and overworked yet cannot afford to set boundaries for fear of being fired. When Mrs. Wu calls Willow into a weird task on her day off, Willow doesn’t push back. When Wu questions how Willow handles the camera, Willow second-guesses herself.
The way that Willow behaves at work and in her romantic relationship are similar. She is conditioned to accept poor treatment from both her boss and her boyfriend. Willow’s second-guessing is something I’ve personally experienced as a second-generation Chinese American woman, and also something I’ve observed and had conversations about with other children of immigrants; they suffer from imposter syndrome due to high expectations to succeed at school, in relationships, and at work.
- Year2024
- Runtime13 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, Mandarin
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorKathy Meng
- ScreenwriterKathy Meng, Harrison Bacon
- ProducerJenna You, Sam Stulin
- Executive ProducerNic Murphy
- CastMoon Eldridge, Yves Yan, Au Lan Go
- EditorRemy Laflamme
