Squared Trailer – Challenging the perception that all Asians are bottoms. But what if you’re both tops?

While gay people like to rile against the stereotypes that straight people thrust upon us, there’s no doubt we also have a tendency to come up with plenty of our own – just look at how we’ve come up with artificial groupings like twinks, bears and otters to slot everyone into.

Another that’s particularly prevalent in the US is the idea that Asian gay people are all rather fey bottoms. Well the short film Squared is here to challenge that, and also to ask the question – what happens if you’re both tops?

It’s something I’m surprised people don’t talk about more, especially as I’ve known people who’ve given up on a new relationship with someone they really like, just because the other person preferred the same things they do.

You can take a look at the trailer below. Squared is currently being submitted to film festivals for consideration to be screened in 2014. Find out more at the film’s Facebook page.

Here’s the director’s notes: Squared is a short film inspired by the racist experiences I have been through. When I was 5 years old, four neighborhood kids stole my first bicycle. It was traumatic to be surrounded by four older kids and see them ride my bike into the distance as they yelled, “Go back to China!”

I used to think only kids were racist. But I was wrong when I came to college. It is surprising to know that educated adults would plan events like “A Night in the Orient” or classify all Asian people as “Chinese” or “Orientals” who speak the words, ”Ling long ching chong ting tong.” From my dating experiences, I was bothered when guys called me their “Geisha” and other derogatory terms. I also often hear people ask gay couples, “Who’s the woman in the relationship?” and point to the Asian guy. Society often objectifies Asians, especially gay Asians, and view them as submissive, feminine, and passive.

With Squared, I want to show that not all Asians fit into the stereotypes that society has constructed.

However, when writing the script, I was careful not to be preachy. I wanted both Tate and Wally to be unlikable and have racist attitudes towards each other. From a third person point of view, I hope the audience can see that their constant bickering and desire to one-up each other are very childish. I left the story open ended in many areas, such as who really won the wrestling match, why Tate serves up an extra plate, and why Wally leaves Tate a note.

I chose to show an interracial relationship because I see many interracial couples in my daily life but usually not on screen. I see interracial relationships as something beautiful – two people who are able to share and learn about each other’s cultures. However, I see a problem when one objectifies or manipulates the other.

Squared is my first time shooting in RAW, having support from so many people, and my first post-college production. Squared would not have been possible without the tremendous support from Executive Producers and Associate Producers too many to name. A special thanks to Brett Serwalt for letting me film at his beautiful and vibrant Obelisk Shoppe and Michael Mack for hosting the delicious Production Wrap Up Dinner. Thank you to Kevin Tan for believing in me and helping me find the perfect soundtrack. Thank you to my extraordinary and hard working crew: Johnathan Nguyen, Mingzhao Dong, Victor Shiu, Anni Ma, and Shawn Lee. And of course, a thousand thank yous to Yamil Jaiman (who had his first gay kiss on screen) and Ethan Le Phong for bringing Tate and Wally to life.