Wednesday, November 16, 2011
join the laundromat documentary journey!
Change takes time.
Trying to convince second- and third-generation Asian-Americans to speak up and speak out about "dirty laundry" is a hard task. After all, the sins of the daughters and sons may bring shame upon the family - and that is not tolerated.
However, not having an outlet to discuss problems causes far too many young people to choose suicide over talking.
Vanessa Yee has set a goal to change that mindset of silence.
Together with Judy Phu and Sun Kim, she is interviewing three Asian-American friends about their hopes and dreams and fears, their history and cultural roots... and how their parents view speaking out.
She was driven to do this in response to her own actions of subterfuge and silence when her mother was gravely ill and hospitalized. Rather than share this problem with her professors at the university, she found herself hiding the truth. She, who had thought herself so modernized, had fallen into the habits of her more traditional elders.
In her words, “I call my movie “˜The Laundromat’ because it’s this third-party operation where you go wash your (dirty) laundry. You’re anonymous … you go there because you don’t have your own laundry machines,” Yee said. “I wanted it to be about creating a space for people to bring their laundry and secrets.”
I can relate to these concerns. When I was young, with an alcoholic and physically abusive father, I knew the life I was living was not that of those I knew at school. And I kept my mouth shut about the problems at home. After my parents divorced, when I was 15 years old, it was as if a dark cloud had been lifted from my life. I tentatively talked about the divorce and the way life had been to others - and found they had similar stories. That was a learning experience about sharing and support.
I must also admit to being drawn to the use of the laundromat motif. I do not own a washer and dryer, never have. Every three weeks or so, I bundle up my clothes and go to the laundromat owned by Nami, a Vietnamese woman.
I have been going there since April of 1996. I was working down the street from her establishment and could easily go there either before or after work.
I watched as her youngest son grew from the boy who helped her mop and sweep to the young man who had a job of his own. Then he married and moved out of town and had children. Nami would put up photos of the children as they were born and as they grew and she and I would talk about them.
She and I talk about a lot of things. My mother's death, my father's death, my stepdad's death. The births of my first great-niece and first great-nephew. My travels to here, there, everywhere. My divorce. My youngest brother's incarceration. Her teen-aged son, her daughter-in-law, the house in Atlanta. Her husband and his health and her frustration with his actions. Her sister's failing health. Her daughter's death.
She told me once that I am the only person she talks to about these things.
I'm glad to be there for her, as she is for me.
In honor of Nami, I have pledged my age for the Laundromat Care Package.
And when I'm asked how I wish to be listed in the film's end credits, I'll have her name with mine and we will watch the film together.
But the T-shirt will be mine alone.
(smile)
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Update #2 - For backers only
Nov 16, 2011
GOOOOOOOAAALLLLL! (and Thank You!)
Perhaps you've noticed, but with hours to go, The Laundromat Documentary journey has exceeded its goal!
Each and every one of you should give yourselves a great big high five, but please consider this my personal high five to you. I could not have gotten anywhere without your support, and now I am able to shoot my movie, take it through the post-production process, and create a website that will continue the dialogue.
All of you have given though we're in the midst of very tough economic times, and that really touches me. Some of you have contributed and we haven't even met before -- bonus points! But wherever you're coming from, welcome to The Laundromat Documentary family. I'll be posting regular updates on my progress through my facebook page and the website that will be launched soon. I'm also considering an email list for those who like alternate channels of information.
But more on that later... for now feel free to bask in the bright glow of my appreciation and gratitude. I am sincerely thankful for your support. (see picture below for visual representation of my happiness)
Vanessa
Update #3
Jan 31, 2012
Post-pro go!
Hey friends and fans! Hello and Happy 2012! Thanks for your continued support.
I am happy to report that we've finished up most of our filming and now The Laundromat is on its way to being edited. This is the grueling part that always takes the most time, but it's also where much of the story is going to get shaped and rediscovered. It's an exciting and excruciating time of sorting through hours of footage to find the stuff that works best together.
Besides my editing, I wanted to update you on other good news. First, The Laundromat website is very close to being launched. It'll be a great way to keep discussing many of these complex issues. Second, I'll be starting a blog that will keep you updated on my film's progress (without having to login to Facebook).
Vanessa
Update #4
Feb 14, 2012
The Laundromat Doc enters the blogosphere
Hi TLD family! I wanted to announce the launch of the movie's official blog as a way to continue to get updates and hear more about where I am with the film. We don't all have facebook, so I'm hoping the blog will be another place you can interact with the film and me. Drop by, leave a comment, and let me know what you'd like to hear about.
Thanks again for your support!
The Blog - http://thelaundromatdocjourney.wordpress.com/
Update #6
Apr 9, 2012
Let the community commence!
Hey Laundromateers!
Thank you so much for supporting my movie so far. Your contribution through Kickstarter has helped me get through two months of production and several months of post-production work. I could not have gotten this far without your support, and your encouragements have helped keep me going throughout this process.
It’s been a long journey, but I’m so pumped to announce that one of the biggest milestones has arrived - my website www.AtTheLaundromat.com has just been launched, and I wanted to let you know for these reasons:
(1) This is not only a site to find out more about my movie, but more importantly, it is a space that I’m developing to discuss the issues within the Asian American community
(2) I want to invite you to participate in the discussion. As a user, you can start forums and ask the community important questions or submit a story to help others who are struggling with the same issues.
(3) You will continue to receive updates on my film, as well as find mental health resources or relevant statistics on the Asian American community.
(4) I would also like to enlist your help in telling others about the site. This online community will only survive if there are a diversity of voices who are listening and dialoguing with each other.
One of the most vital lessons that I am learning from my film is that if people are given the opportunity to share something important to them and if they know that someone they can trust is listening, then something magical happens. They speak candidly, and both the speaker and the listener are changed. My hope is that in response to the documentary, different generations and ethnicities will come together to find a safe space to discuss those things that were so difficult before.
So, if you can, please visit www.AtTheLaundromat.com, take part as a user, and tell people you know. I would love your help in making this site a thriving, safe, honest community. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Vanessa A.Yee
MFA Candidate 2012
UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television
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