A Wesley Du Film "If I Was Like You" Pt2

[incitetalife]

so y wuz the black doos in sweating the son for money early on.....did they kno each other or was it some random thing.....yea wutever did happen....the son did leave with a bat

[waxedlips]

Fantastic moving short, great job! Look at all the passionate comments-racism is cruel let's ALL stop it.

[bboyhfeet]

@Yaofan15 this is also ignorant too. A few privileged African Americans are not representative of an entire population of African Americans. Obama is not representative of the African American people in america either, he is half white and privileged. Jews do not own everything, and Asian Americans that find themselves in these neighborhoods have no clue that they are creating tensions within those communities going in . They are scapegoats to a larger situation.

[wharghoul]

If the main character of this film was black, the cop would have shot him down.

Don't pretend you've suffered so hard because someone called you a "chink" once. You can't even imagine what real racism is until you're laying face down in an Oakland subway, handcuffed and helpless, praying the pig who pulled his gun for a loitering (Read: being black in a white neighborhood) bust won't murder you right there.

That is racism. Having people ask you to do their math homework isn't even close.

[wdudu]

@wharghoul

You also assume that Asians have never been the victims of violence from whites or the police. Please google Vincent Chin and Kuanchung Kao. You can only see severe violence at the hands of the oppressor as "real" racism while being called racial slurs or being marginalized by a stereotype as not being worthy of being called racism, which I find completely false. I never knew that there was a line that needed to be crossed in order for it to be called racism

[waxedlips]

@wdudu you also assume you are the only group who has suffered from racism- there are many groups and individual people who suffer. The truth is in the sameness- To me that is what this film is about.

[wdudu]

@wharghoul

Hello Whargoul,

I am very well aware of the fact that if the main character were black, that he would have been shot. It's even said in my film. It seems as if you have already made a judgment on how much racism one has or hasn't experienced in their life based on their ethnic background. I find it interesting that you feel the need to compare who has been the most oppressed because I think all minorities are oppressed individuals who need to come together and not be drawn apart.

[AVBPhotography]

Great Film Man (I'm assuming..sorry.) Very moving.

On the Racism issue, I see it this way: In this case I see it less as Racism and more as a Last Straw move to get attention. People are very quick to apply the label "Racism," (especially in a VERY overt case like this) without first qualifying the act they are labeling. In this case the character is obviously trying to shock his audience with an overt act, but does that make him a racist? I don't think there's enough evidence to tell.

[AVBPhotography]

@AVBPhotography of course, I'm just an observer, as the film maker you would know more about his motivations that I would.

In the end, very well done. The story is told very well, and you did what any good film should do: You drew your audience in, entertained, and caused them to have a conversation. Great work.

[mouthsweet]

i trembled at the shot of his son laying there dead. i wish things like these could be brought to the public's attention more often. most definitely racism still exist in this time & space whether you're asian, black, white..etc. sad. when will people ever get the fact that we're all human? what type of race you are won't matter when you're dead, only the foot prints you left in people's lives will. "i know somebody saw something, but don't nobody wanna speak out about it"-nikkita[?] good film!

[wdudu]

@tcutie87 I wouldn't say that's the ONLY reason why Obama is President. To say that people were desperate and that's the only reason why he became president completely marginalizes him as a person and his ability. However, I do agree with you that just because we have a black president does not mean that racism is nonexistant. Could you please show me that statistic with the rate of wealth in regards to Asians?

[bboyhfeet]

@tcutie87 First off, Obama is HALF WHITE AS WELL. this puts him in a position of privilege nonetheless. And arguing with each other will only keep us in our position of inequality. we need to join up together and stand up up to the dominant group currently in America to create reform. Also, that statistic is not in regards to individual income. This means that White people are still making more than Asian Americans.

[Yaofan15]

Also to tcutie87: You're equating a few glances at you at the market to getting jumped and killed by a bunch of black teenagers? How often do you hear of blacks killing Asian Americans? It happens almost on a daily basis. How about the opposite? We don't go out of our way to punch blacks in the face or push elderly blacks onto train-tracks.

How about blacks look at us wrong at their stores and we start killing you guys? That's only fair, right?

[tcutie87]

@Yaofan15 What stores? You own all of them.

[fanntarded]

@tcutie87 I never said "all black people are nasty niggers". I also never said that black people were never attacked by racist honkies. What I was trying to say was there are a lot of people doing violet meaningless things and it just so happens in our current time, the victims are Asians and those who are committing these acts (in my community) are black teenagers. I get followed around in Asian stores too and I'm Chinese. I'm not making excuses for my racism, but I'm vocalizing what I see

[fanntarded]

@tcutie87 In both of my comments, I never mentioned the word nigger so I don't know why you're associating me with that term. I consider those dumb ass kids as "dumb ass kids". I don't use the term because my friend gets offended when she's called that. Even prior to meeting her, I don't use the term out of respect for other people because it's offensive. Don't use me as a scapegoat for your anger. There are people who have said much more hateful things than what I shared on youtube.

[JYAPFILMS]

no words can describe how amazing this film was. the atmosphere and environment that this movie was filmed in was excellent. And the acting was so realistic and powerful. (10/10)

i was wondering what your message is behind this film?

[wdudu]

the message of the film is really what you get from it. if it touches you emotionally and makes you think about the world we live in, then that's fantastic. art is the most powerful medium for change and self expression in my opinion. i'm sorry to be so vague with your question, but i encourage you to think about the film and draw your own conclusions. there is no wrong answer.

[misteraznballa]

this film is probably one of the best amateur films i've seen so far. very professional, and all actors played their roles perfectly to keep the audience engaged throughout the length. also, your camera shots are nearly perfect, i wish i had the kind of creativity you have! hope to see more films from you! definitely got my subscription

[wdudu]

thank you so much. i can not take credit for the camera work since that is the work of my dp, and i'm sure you do have creativity. even though i have a background in theater, this is my first film so i encourage you to follow your dreams. again, i have very humbled by your comment.

[gambamama]

I found this purely by chance. I have you bookmarked. Someone needs to point out to Mr. McCloud that these are "actors." They did such a fine job, he got his realities all out of kilter. I look forward to your next work.

[gambamama]

I found this purely by chance. I have you bookmarked. Someone needs to point out to Mr. McCloud that these are "actors." They did such a fine job, he got his realities all out of kilter. I look forward to your next work.

[gambamama]

Excellent performances all the way around (the officer was a little wooden but the rest of the cast made up for it). I was deeply moved. Hope to see more from you soon.

[wdudu]

thank you very much. how did you hear about my film? i'll be shooting my next film in about two weeks.

[dschaafnz]

similar to Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino... but fully sympathise.

btw @wdudu making a film focusing on the negative only begets more negativity (watch the secret). Anyways amazingly powerful for a first short film. Film students have alot to learn from this.

[tsao0530]

great video, very touching

[mccloud524]

Fuck them niggers. Look at what happened with the Asian students in Philadelphia who were getting beat up by "THEM" and no one was doing shit to protect them. Niggers think that just because their parents and grandparents grew up in a society where they were discriminated, that they can do whatever the hell they want. Apparently only niggers can call each other by that name, but when some other nationality says it, they are allowed to beat up on them? I despise it!

[wdudu]

Hey man. There is no need to spread the negativity especially in this forum. My film was not intended to catalyze hatred but more so discussion among races. I apprecaite your passionate response, but I feel as if you are taking current issues and commenting on them as oppose to commenting on the film itself . I do not agree with your way of thought and it is not why I made this film.

[paidnomind]

nice film. btw, the boy looks alot like Jonathan Quan:)

[mexihcatlacatl]

good film. the scene where the father is calming down his son reminds me of a similar scene in

Boyz n the Hood.

[jenevieverose]

u moron! u dont have to live in a black neighborhood to have this kind of bulling go on..there isent a black person in our whole town....and the drug selling" bullying if you call the Law" goes on here!!!

[naspred]

jenevieverose

Somehow I think your lying and it sounds like you had a run-in with the law.

[wdudu]

is that what you got from watching the film?

[aznschoolieboi1988]

lol if a cop did that, they would surely get kicked off the force.

[WarriorBoy]

Wow. This was very well executed.

The best thing about this to me was the atmosphere communicated in this.

It went beyond the dialouge, it was just little things like the camera cut to the black customer when Daniel showed to Kenny that his son had been killed.

The air of comfortability and tension was very thick. I could identify with the frustration of Daniel and his son, and how unfair everything turned out in the end; very true to life sometimes.

[wdudu]

Thank you so much for your support.

[WarriorBoy]

As an aspiring actor with filmmaking friends, I know how much it can mean when you get it. Thank you for making this and good luck in future projects.

[kalane]

This film is great. Look forward to seeing more from you in the future.

[wdudu]

Thank you so much! I am deeply humbled.

[famsox]

i must say mate, this is some great work, keep it up!

[wdudu]

Thank you for your support. Where are you from?

[Seffer]

and hopefully not the future. I think is why people of the same ethnic ties tend to immigrate to the same area to avoid these kinds of problems. I used to live in a ghetto and had to experience both sides of the coin. I was being abused by blacks yet protected by blacks. Its was quite... well lets just say I can never be racist after that but learned to see people on their personality and not on appearances.

[wdudu]

Thank you and I'm glad to hear that the film had an impact on you.

[Seffer]

I really like this film. This doesn't show the plight of just Asian-Americans but all races who are the minority in a certain area and are under scrutiny of ethnic gangs. Older generation Asians are racist but that is a given considering history and it takes a lot of time for people in the old country to accept new races. It is not as prevalent in the new generations as we try to embrace our racial differences and live together in America. This is a story not just of the present but of the past

[wood413]

Nice work. Time had changed, back in the early 70's, the Blacks were the one that protected me( the only Chinese kid in the whole school ) from the White in East New Yor, Brooklyn. What went wrong between now and then ??

[wdudu]

Thank you!!

[mjuniversal]

Hmm. It's pretty good, but there are a few things that could be better. First, why does the officer pull a gun on Daniel and why does he arrest him? He isn't doing anything wrong. And when he lay's in Billy's spot his head was facing the opposite direction of Billy's although idk if that's what you were going for. Very well made indeed!

[queendita]

Godamn Wesley. You killed it with this short! I am so INSPIRED.

xoxo

[wdudu]

Thank you!! I wish you all the best.

[Blieve]

Good job man I look forward to more of ur work!

[wdudu]

Thank you very much! I geatly appreciate it.

[EvilJohnnyDepp]

Hey, Wesley. It's Tim from Richmond, the half Chinese one. Good lord, this was powerful. I was holdin' back the tears when Daniel laid in Billy's spot. And I appreciate you were able to bring that emotion out and provoke not just feeling but thought. Hope you're well.

[liannelin]

very well done!

[wdudu]

thank you!!!

[horay4shrooms]

Really powerful and well made. It's unfortunate that race seems to run everything in this world.

[wdudu]

thank you so much. i appreciate your support.

[Strangeluv515]

Needs more views. I'll pass it around.

[wdudu]

please do. i would great appreciate that.

[kickboxerdude]

I think that if the video had a twist ending and had shown that the father was actually black and his son's murderers were Asian thugs in a predominately Asian American neighborhood the video would be more powerful. Of course the sign would have to be altered.

[wdudu]

thank you for your comment but that's not what the film was about.

[dadoody]

Bullshit.

[wdudu]

Dadoody, perhaps you would like to share with me your disdain for my film? Please do.

[dadoody]

Was replying to another poster not to the film.

[iwanttoeatnow]

Keep up the great work!

[wdudu]

Thank you! I really appreciate it.

[cutiepiemeg918]

sad story :(

it made me cry....

awesome job!!!

[wdudu]

Thank you so much!

[Strangeluv515]

Hey man. I just want to say you did a pretty good job with this. Your actor who did Daniel was very convincing. I hope I get to see more of him.

[wdudu]

Thank you!

[therevhui]

Wow! That was just amazing!

[wdudu]

Thank you.  I am deeply humbled.

[mipp0]

Everybody is NOT racist. It's ethnicity, not nationality. We're all the same nationality, which is American.

And there is A LOT of Asian/black tension in California. There is a lot of racism against Asian Americans from blacks both here and in Philly that never gets any coverage. I wonder why...

[kleymannie]

I dont really get this film. If it's supposed to address race in some way I dont really see how it does that. How many Mexican, Blacks, White young men are killed in the streets with no one that comes forward, etc. I guess its supposed to bring light to an unacknowledged race issue, but other that the "Nigger sign" race doesnt really appear to be relevant. At least not in this film. Am I missing something?

[epicPOCKY]

that was an amazingly touching story

i've never cried watching a movie before but this made me cry

GOOD JOB MAN~

[justanotherperson1]

I've lived on the east coast my entire life, so I'm deeply disturbed I've never heard of black vs asian racism until now. I knew it had to exist but had no idea it was this big of a problem.

I give honest attempts to be understanding towards black males, but it just gets to a point where my patience just runs out.

[parkour2693]

So touching, yet true, a bit

[geeman4]

Wow, that was extremely moving, especially as an Asian American who has to deal with racism from Blacks here in California. I don't hold it against Blacks though, because let's be honest, EVERYONE'S racist. Doesn't matter if the guy who called me a, "dirty chink" multiple times on MUNI was White or Black, the fact that racism against Asian Americans get so little coverage or support is what I believe to be the biggest issue.

[mykalroze]

And many of the companies/people who run the media, who run the entertainment outlets couldn't give one rat's ass about the plight of Asian-Americans. Many studios/filmmakers don't see any problem with casting white people in obviously Asian roles, and many whites go to the absurdest, most illogical, faulty lengths to defend such casting. And Asians are portrayed in such racist/stereotypical ways on both TV and in movies. When racism is discussed by white media, Asians are rarely mentioned.

[spaceofficer]

You got to grow up Yao. I don't doubt there are black punks, I see that here in the east coast, DC, MD. I see my share of also white, hispanic/Mexican and other nationalities. low lifes dregs here too. This guy Wesley Du fails if he only see one side friction when in my area there are underlying tension among all races He should have done a mini Crash film.

[mykalroze]

But, the view of Asian-Americans is rarely, if ever, portrayed by the white-run media, by white Hollywood, etc. etc. Asian-Americans just about don't exist. And when they are portrayed, they're almost always in stereotypical/racist roles. And Hollywood almost always just shows Asians, not Asian-Americans. How often do you see portrayals of "regular" Americans of Asian descent in American movies? TV fares a little bit better, but they also present stereotypical portrayals of Asians.

[Yaofan15]

And we can't say anything b/c 1) media and whites are on their side, 2) fear of death

[Evalinthania]

I kinda thought it was just how individuals let fear and menacing figures shove them in a corner... It's not like I don't understand how horrifying it must be to be constantly threatened, but I also would at least try to see past the anger and rashness of a neighbor who went through what that character did. It doesn't matter what race or status the bullies are [not only asians vs. blacks], it's the fact we gotta stand up to them.

[AsiaNoey]

I had tears in my eyes. I'm so glad you made this movie. I definitely can relate to this short film. I live in a ghetto area. Everyday I'm in constant fear of being robbed, raped, and murdered. My house was shot with 6 bullets, car got broken in, people stood outside selling drugs, and cars drove by with loud noises. Yet, I have to be silent because Im afraid that they will retaliate.

[spaceofficer]

This is just short fiction film Wesley made. Why do you blame the whole race on a couple of thuggish types. I meet good and bad in all races. Why did he make this a Asian vs. Black issue? This film looks like Oakland CA. What about hispanics/Mexican types who got their share of bad gang types. Whites too,and every race or ethnic type have thier share of the bad element. I'm Asian too, but I can differentiate the good and bad in all races and not prejudge one whole ethnicity.

[Yaofan15]

I think more media like this needs to come out about racism from blacks against Asian Americans. Like the MUNI incident and countless others (I'm from California, so I've witnessed many such incidents first-hand), it's often the African Americans that start violence toward Asian Americans. Cases in point: Watts/Rodney King LA riots, Tookie Williams murdering an Asian American family for money, MUNI woman. Thanks for the upload.

[BoobsNotBombs]

I'm glad you chose to put this up here. Hopefully, it will lead to candid discussions about race. I think, though, I would have preferred to see some racism among Asians towards Blacks. Because it's very prevalent, I've found, especially among the upper class Asian-Americans, which I understand is not the focus of the film. But still.

[wdudu]

I agree with your sentiment that upper class Asians are racist towards Blacks. However, I think there was A LOT of racism among Asians towards Blacks in this film. It's the father who uses the racial slur and puts that sign up in front of his house.

[gyoungone]

I think that the movie really does portray Daniel, the Asian father, as someone who lives within the community. The way that the two men who come to his defense attest to his character. His reaction may not be the best response, but this film succeeds in creating multi-dimensional characters. I think what is being ignored is the advice that he gave his son, that he unfortunately found ineffective upon the premature death of his son.

[jenkluu]

wow. very moving. keep them coming.