A pandemic challenges a Chinese student on the path to legal immigration while sheltering in her new American home. Created for the Asian American Film Lab 2020 72 Hour Shootout under the theme: Going Viral.
[5 Minutes, Drama, iPhone, Color, Subtitled in Mandarin Chinese]
Written, Directed, Edited by Eddie Shieh
Staring Lan Zhong
Special Thanks to Antonio Lorenzo & Allen Chen
Made in support of the Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout Isolation Edition under the theme, Going Viral, with technical element: Toilet Paper.
©2020 Red Rope Productions
Statement
HOME FREE was created for the 72 Hour Shootout by the Asian American Film Lab, Isolation Edition, under the theme, Going Viral, and also coincided with the 2020 pandemic shutdown where life slammed to a halt. New York City was the first city under siege.
Hate crimes against Asians were on the rise as backlash from COVID19's origins in Wuhan, China. The 45th President endorsed and repeated terms such as "China Virus" “Corona Chink” and "Kung Flu" and fueled anger and violence towards Asians, mostly women and the elderly, whom have no connection to the pathogen or the China’s government.
As an American-Born-Chinese and Native New Yorker, I’m still concerned for the safety of my family, friends and community, having replaced Mexicans and Latinos as the trending race to despise. As a result, I envisioned ICE raids and immigration and internment camps created for Asians in America.
I’m proud to have created HOME FREE with actress Lan Zhong as we sheltered in different places at the height of the NYC shutdown. I only regret that hate crimes have polarized and worsened against innocent people since we made this film.
Currently in Festival Contention.
2020
Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout, USA: 2nd RUNNER UP
New York Asian American International Film Festival, USA
20MINMAX Short Film Festival, Germany
Balkin New Film Festival, Sweden
Berlin Flash Film Festival, Germany: HONORABLE MENTION
Cinema on The Bayou Film Festival, USA
2021
Short. Sweet. Film Festival, USA
Media Film Festival, USA
Bare Bones International Film Festival, USA
Carmarthan Bay Film Festival, UK/BAFTA
Oakville Film and Arts Festival, Canada
Lighthouse International Film Festival, USA
Woods Hole Film Festival, USA
Braunschweig International Film Festival, Germany
San Francisco Short Film Festival, USA
Syracuse International Film Festival, USA
Humans of Film Festival, Netherlands
Korean American Film Festival of New York, USA
2022
Titan International Film Festival, Australia
Blow-Up Arthouse Filmfest, USA: SEMI-FINALIST