Asians have Feelings Too (Arts Council England Funded Project)
Asians Have Feelings Too is a #StopAsianHate and LGBTIQA+ powered music video. It premiered at my debut solo show of the same name, which also featured a panel of East and Southeast Asian Creatives who worked on the music video with me. Asians Have Feelings Too was funded by Arts Council England, a crowdfund and supported by Theatre Deli.
AWARDS: Trans Pride Award (Official Trans Pride Brighton Annual Film Event)
Asians Have Feelings Too has screened at:
Bacq ESEA art show, London
Poetry LGBT
Theatre Deli
transitions international minorities queer film fest, Austria (Official Selection)
Flip the Script, Minnesota, US (Official Selection)
Fringe Film Queer Film and Arts Fest (Official Selection)
Moon Fest, Bristol (Official Selection)
besea.n birthday bash, ESEA Heritage Month, China Exchange, London
Official Trans Pride Brighton Film Event, Brighton, UK (Official Selection)
Pride at Eaton, Hong Kong (Official Selection)
Rich Mix London, UK
Would you like to screen Asians Have Feelings Too?
uplifting Singalong!
Photo by Vanessa Ng.
Asians Have Feelings Too Video and Live Show Creative Team - Left to right from the top to bottom:
April Lin 林森, Raisa Kabir, Darius Shu, Vanessa Ng, Natalie Linh Bolderston, Itsuki Yoshida, Simeon Miller, The Mollusc Dimension, Tuyết Vân Huỳnh, Bruce Tang, Christine Urquhart, Shay Shay, Tim Lytc, Weremczuck, Victor Charles, Chloe Wing, Lusty Lovelace.
Panel of East and Southeast Asian creatives: Tuyet van Huynh, The Mollusc Dimension, Enxi Chang, Tim Lytc and Mei Mac (plus Lusty Lovelace - not pictured)
By Vanessa Ng
RESPONSES
"Your film was inspiring and poignant and we were incredibly lucky to have it in our festival."
(Official Trans Pride Brighton Annual Film Event)
"I laughed. I cried.”
Queer Asian, Brighton
"While The Mollusc Dimension tackles some emotions that can feel dark and frustrating (for those of us who might identify with the subject matter), the song itself is light, bouncy, playful, and at times softly soulful -- much like the wonderful talent behind it! A joyous romp and a sweet self-love ballad mixed into one."
Kelsey Yuhara (Artist, Performer, Director, Improviser)
"An amazing experience to attend a night of queer and trans ESEA joy! A night of poetry, music and protest songs. The night ended with a panel of trans majority and queer ESEA creatives discussing barriers within the industry, celebrating chosen family and embracing uniqueness."
besea.n
"Had the best time watching The Mollusc Dimension’s amazing solo debut solo which is produced by the amazing Tuyet Van Huynh. Amazing panel chaired by the one and only Mei Mac with inspiring and awesome people Tuyet Van Huynh, The Mollusc Dimension, Enxi Chang, Lusty Lovelace and Tim Lytc."
Steph, Asians in Britain (she/her)
“What an incredible night of queer Asian joy.”
Keira May (they/them) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
“This panel gave me so much joy. So empowering to see BESEA, queer and trans representation on one stage, discussing with such vulnerability and authenticity their individual experiences with BESEA, queerness & Trans identity. Exploring oppression and identity politics through pain and joy in the most gloriously queer way.”
Kam (he/him) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
“It was so moving and the panel opened up so many questions for me. Every single person said something affirming that went into a deep part of me and wanting to affirm/show appreciation... noises left my body - "mmm". I heard those "mmms" echoing on the other side of the audience, hungry souls acknowledging this nourishment. I thank you for vulnerability and for being powerful and authentic and for being so big hearted in sharing your space with other Asian voices for representation. I loved how naturally your youness flowed while having bants or paying reference to things in the set. I'm just soaking it all in now. Loved the parodies AND the originals... the visuals... YOUR EYE MAKE UP and just the joyous celebration of queerness and diversity was exactly what I needed! All of it was so embracing!! Praise the intersections for bringing us closer together!!”
A trans-masc person (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
“An incredibly joyful night. The audience protest chant (and encore!) was obviously a highlight. Mei Mac was a brilliant MC for the panel on trans, queer and ESEA identity and experience. How good it is now to be able to meet more ESEA creatives and go beyond the screen. The show was magical.”
Amy (she/her) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
I was sitting at the back with my friend and we both thought it was excellent.
Loved the mix of songs, poems and the stuff going on on the screen. The whole production was great and you were a mesmerising presence on stage! And the AHFT music video was incredible!
Charlie (he/him) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
“What a beautiful night. It was an absolute treat to experience your live performance.”
Tim (they/them) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
“I feel uplifted and also wondering what can I do in the future.”
Chloe (she/her) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
“Beautiful show. A powerful panel discussion on trans Asian representation and queerness, chaired by Mei Mac with The Mollusc Dimension, Lusty Lovelace, Enxi Chang, Tim Lytc and Tuyet Van Huynh who continue to inspire us and the community.”
Darius Shu, film director and DOP (he/him) (on Asians Have Feelings Too Live Show, Music Video Premiere and Panel)
