Through the Queer Diasporic Gaze: A Panel and Screening of Queer Asian Films 

Hosted by NYU Graduate Film Department. Sponsored by the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU, the NYU Center for Multicultural Education and Programs (CMEP), Tisch Institute for Creative Research, Rita Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing, and the Asian Film & Media Initiative at the Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies.

REGISTER (open to all NYU community members)

Non-NYU guests can join virtually via Zoom

In the United States, the camera is frequently used to police communities and create propaganda for corporations and the state. This can entrain Asian Americans toward assimilation and reproducing US nationalism and cisheteronormativity. How may queer Asian diasporic communities use film to counter-surveil and betray the male and western gaze?

Spanning documentary, memoir, coming of age family drama, fantasy, and magical realism, these authentic and brave short films from queer emerging and established directors of the Asian diaspora (Pakistan, China, Korea, and India) show how to hold each other and ourselves in ways that nations and institutions cannot. Told with a tender gaze and breathtaking visuals, these films explore healing in the aftermath of immigrant and refugee experiences, domestic and sexual violence, and the tension of homophobia from the ones we love most. They lovingly and vibrantly unveil landscapes and emotionscapes rarely seen in mainstream Asian and Asian American film and unearth possibilities and practices of care, survival, chosen family and alternative futures. 

A discussion moderated by Jess X. Snow (NYU Tisch Grad Film) with the filmmakers Fatimah Asghar, Shuli Huang, Karishma Dev Dube, and Andrew Ahn follows the screenings. DJ Rekha curates the playlist. 

Short Films: 

Dol: First Birthday written and directed by Andrew Ahn (11 min, Narrative) (Sundance 2012)
When Nick attends his baby nephew’s ‘dol,’ a traditional Korean first birthday party, he finds himself yearning for a life just out of reach.

Retrieval written, directed by, and starring Fatimah Asghar (17 min, Narrative) (2023, Unreleased)
A lyrical short film that explores the process of a soul retrieval in the aftermath of sexual assault – the spiritual undertaking of bringing back a part of your soul that has been traumatically separated.   

Devi directed by Karishma Dev Dube (12 min, Narrative) (2016 Outfest Grand Jury Prize)
Set in New Delhi, a closeted lesbian risks tradition and social boundaries as she pursues her attraction towards her household maid, Devi.

Will You Look At Me directed by Shuli Huang (20 min Documentary) (2023 Sundance Non-Fiction Jury Award)
As a young Chinese filmmaker returns to his hometown in search for himself, a long due conversation with his mother dives the two of them into a quest for acceptance and love.

Accessibility note: The venue has an elevator, and all-gender bathrooms. If requested, close captioning of film is provided. Guests with additional access needs can contact Tisch IBDEA Coordinator, Casiano Hamer at crh401@nyu.edu