This program has 7 films. Toggle between film descriptions by clicking on the buttons at the top right.
Two Asian-Canadian teenage girls are given one hour at the school dance by their strict immigrant parents and are determined to make the most of it.
Director - Chloé Hung
I love coming of age films. The last decade has given rise to some truly great ones. What I love about these films is that they are able to combine the familiar coming of age tale while also creating a beautiful cinematic landscape for our characters to play in. Though I related to all of these protagonists, I never knew I needed a specifically Asian coming of age film.
I began writing GEM & SHAZ after my childhood best friend and I were reminiscing about all the ways we tried to circumvent our parents’ strict rules. We talked about how our parents gave us the illusion of freedom by saying we could go to a dance but implemented a ridiculously early curfew that ensured we wouldn’t actually get to experience the dance. Thus, GEM & SHAZ was born.
With the tidal wave of anti-Asian attacks and harassment in the past year, I feel the urgency of GEM & SHAZ. I would hate for a generation of Asian-Americans and Asian-Canadians to grow up knowing only hate, tokenism, and isolation. I want to give us stories that celebrate our culture, celebrate our joy, celebrate our struggle. I wish I had had a film like this when I was growing up and coming to terms with my culture and identity. I hope you find watching GEM & SHAZ that you’ll agree with me.
This program has 7 films. Toggle between film descriptions by clicking on the buttons at the top right.
Two Asian-Canadian teenage girls are given one hour at the school dance by their strict immigrant parents and are determined to make the most of it.
Director - Chloé Hung
I love coming of age films. The last decade has given rise to some truly great ones. What I love about these films is that they are able to combine the familiar coming of age tale while also creating a beautiful cinematic landscape for our characters to play in. Though I related to all of these protagonists, I never knew I needed a specifically Asian coming of age film.
I began writing GEM & SHAZ after my childhood best friend and I were reminiscing about all the ways we tried to circumvent our parents’ strict rules. We talked about how our parents gave us the illusion of freedom by saying we could go to a dance but implemented a ridiculously early curfew that ensured we wouldn’t actually get to experience the dance. Thus, GEM & SHAZ was born.
With the tidal wave of anti-Asian attacks and harassment in the past year, I feel the urgency of GEM & SHAZ. I would hate for a generation of Asian-Americans and Asian-Canadians to grow up knowing only hate, tokenism, and isolation. I want to give us stories that celebrate our culture, celebrate our joy, celebrate our struggle. I wish I had had a film like this when I was growing up and coming to terms with my culture and identity. I hope you find watching GEM & SHAZ that you’ll agree with me.
