Filmmaker Statement

APE is my attempt at grappling with and investigating Asian masculinity and its manifestation: rage—which I believe have been overlooked in the story of immigration. I think everyone notices their race growing up as much as we like to deny it and frankly, “Asian” was just not cool and “Asian guy” was even less cool. I attended an American school in Hong Kong and despite being in Asia, I still spent my formative years blow drying my spiky hair down and battling stereotypes that felt ingrained within the race I was born into. APE is not your typical coming-of-age or self acceptance type of story. Two years ago, I arrived in the United States and quickly noticed the beginnings of subtle cultural normative shifts. I worked at a gym and realized that the vast majority of patrons were Asian men. But they were “yoked” - and wore black tank tops, cargo pants, mullets, jewelry, and tattoos. A kind of uniform. I was happy to see my community redefine themselves. I noticed Asian American men b