Thơ

As Thơ ventures into romance as a Vietnamese-American panromantic asexual/ace, her boyfriend Dylan pressures her to be both sexual and straight, insisting that sex is love and that he’s worthless without it. When she begins a new relationship with the more emotionally-detached Leo, she once again finds her asexuality to be an issue for her partner. But this time, Leo sees her asexuality as an obstacle to fulfilling her purpose as a woman. Questioning whether she’s actually who she thinks she is, Thơ is forced to be valued by them or fight for herself.

Directed by Heather Muriel Nguyễn and Jake Villadolid

About the filmmakers:

Heather Muriel Nguyễn (they/she) is a queer Vietnamese-American filmmaker passionate about visceral stories that honestly reflect queer and trans communities of Color grappling with intergenerational trauma and self-love. Heather’s a 2020 Sony Rising Storytellers semifinalist. Her film Thơ is the first film by and about an asexual girl of Color and premiered at Outfest Los Angeles 2021. In collaboration, she brings emotional depth and hunger to honestly reflect her communities.

Jake Villadolid (he/him) is a young Filipino-American filmmaker who loves telling stories off the beaten path. He’s directed award-winning short films and music videos, appearing in festivals across the U.S. Most recently, his Virtual Reality short film Breaking Ground took Audience Choice at the Tokyo Liftoff Film Festival. With a penchant for comedy and a deep love for action, Jake tackles every challenge with both tenacity and a sense of humor.