This film is about reclaiming your own power to tell the story you want to tell.

Like any classic spy movie, it starts off following a handsome, white, cisgender male, known only as LEADING MAN (who you’d totally sleep with; we all would… sigh). This, however, isn’t any classic spy movie. We’re soon introduced to X, a multiethnic assassin. After a little sexy banter (yes, we’re queering up the espionage trope), we’re abruptly transported into a casting room where we see what’s really going on. It’s an audition (another sigh). The DIRECTOR and CASTING DIRECTOR, both white, are seated at a table and give X some outlandish adjustments having him change his ethnicity on a dime. The Leading Man becomes a reader and the CASTING ASSOCIATE, the only other person of color, helms the camera. As the audition continues we’re transported back and forth between the world of the script and that of the casting room. Tensions rise and lines are crossed. Both X and the Casting Associate reach their breaking points and finally speak up and ask-–no, demand–-that X read for the character from a place of truth. Will the others listen? Does X book the role? Watch to find out.

Think…

Killing Eve meets La La Land...

James Bond but make it queer...

And a nod to Multi-Facial (by Vin Diesel)...

"What are you?"

...is a question I'm quite accustomed to. While it can be fun to make people play the guessing game, it can also be taxing to have to explain, justify or advocate for what you truly are. This is a story about not fitting into a box. The inspiration for this script emerged from experiences I have encountered while pursuing an acting career as a queer and mixed race artist. I'm half Chinese and half Jewish, though often mistaken for anything else. As an actor, I’m frequently told that I'm neither Asian enough nor white enough, but can somehow totally pass as Hispanic (as that is 90% of the auditions that I receive). But passing isn’t why I’m an artist. I strive for authentic storytelling and representation. My hope is for this project to serve as a little contribution towards that goal.

Why make this film now?

While representation has made positive strides over the years, we still need to fight to be seen. We've won some battles, but not the war. I can count with one finger–-maybe two–-the number of times I've seen a story centered around a queer, mixed Asian lead... I'm hoping this can help us get to using a full hand.

The film alternates between two realities: that of the script X is auditioning for and that of the audition room. The script world will feel sexy and thrilling: smooth camera movements, cinemascope (2.35:1), warm tones, and dynamic. The audition room will feel bleak and sterile: handheld, widescreen (16:9), cool tones and plain. It's important to create the juxtaposition between the two. In the script world, the camera serves as the eyes of the director, but in the audition room, we, as the audience, are the ones to bear witness to the absurdity. Tonally, it starts off as an action/thriller espionage film, but quickly pivots to become a comedy/drama grounded in reality. It's going to be silly, dramatic and truthful.

Credits: Drive (2011), Black Hawk Down (2001), Skyfall (2012)

Credits: The Railway Man (2013), Manhunter (1986), Cold War (2018), La La Land (2016)

Credits: American Hustle (2013), In the Mood for Love (2000), A Pigeon Sat on a Bench Reflecting on Existence (2014), Marriage Story (2019)

This film deals with power hiearchies and the assumptions we hold. Our goal is to challenge our preconceived notions. Who holds power and how does it shift? How do we learn to use our voice to stand up for what we believe in? Why do we assume one thing? And what happens when that thing we expect is something else entirely? These are some of the questions that this film explores.

We're currently in pre-production and are planning to shoot Summer 2022. Our plan is to finish post-production come Fall 2022 and then submit to film festivals! With your help we will be able to turn this project into a reality :)

A note on the pandemic:
Our top priority is ensuring the safety of everyone on set and we'll be complying with SAG's COVID safety guidelines. We've successfully produced other projects during the pandemic and remain committed to adapting safety protocols as necessary.

SPREAD THE WORD

The only way we will reach our crowdfunding goal is if we reach beyond our networks.  If you’d like to be a part of supporting an AAPI and queer story YOU can make a difference in our success. Please share our campaign via social media, email, word-of-mouth, or however you want! We can’t do this with out you :)

Here are some examples, and feel free to copy and paste:

Help AAPI filmmaker @ezra.li by supporting his action/comedy film X about a queer and mixed race actor who has to take on some outlandish adjustments during a casting session before they finally try it his way. Follow them on IG: @x.shortfilm and join them at seedandspark.com/fund/x-film

I’m stoked to see a queer, mixed Asian lead in X, by @ezra.li! Follow them on IG: @x.shortfilm and join them at seedandspark.com/fund/x-film

I’m so excited to see the short film X, by @ezra.li, which co-stars Peter Friedman (who we all know and love as Frank on HBO’s Succession). Follow them on IG: @x.shortfilm and join them at seedandspark.com/fund/x-fim

Sharing our campaign is as helpful as a financial contribution! But sharing AND contributing (boy oh boy!) goes a looong way in helping bring X to life!

IG: @x.shortfilm

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! :)