Squeegee Boy
In a quest to find belonging and acceptance, a young trans Asian American teenager yearns to become part of a tight-knit group of squeegee boys in the Baltimore city. But as he navigates the challenges of this gritty urban landscape and grapples with the complexities of his own identity, he discovers that the job demands more than just physical labor - it requires a strength of character and a resilience that he must cultivate from within.
Baltimore Screenwriter’s Competition
2nd Place, Short Film Category
Supported by Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund
Awards:
Audience Awards, 12+ |. New York International Children's Film Festival
Remi Award. |. World Fest Huston
Official Selection:
Cleveland International Film Festival
VC Film Fest
Maryland Film Festival
Female Eye Film Festival
Asian American International Film Festival
DC Shorts International Film Festival
Baltimore Screenwriter’s Competition
2nd Place, Short Film Category
Supported by Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund
Awards:
Audience Awards, 12+ |. New York International Children's Film Festival
Remi Award. |. World Fest Huston
Official Selection:
Cleveland International Film Festival
VC Film Fest
Maryland Film Festival
Female Eye Film Festival
Asian American International Film Festival
DC Shorts International Film Festival
Squeegee Boy Trailer from Chung-Wei Huang on Vimeo.
Squeegee Boy BTS
Director's Statement
When I relocated to Baltimore, I was immediately drawn to the squeegee boys and their unique way of making a living. Every time I passed by them, I found myself wondering about their stories, their backgrounds, and their motivations. It was during one of these moments of reflection that the idea for my film first took shape: what if a trans teen were to become a squeegee boy? What kind of challenges might they face? Would they be accepted by their peers and the wider community?
With this concept in mind, I teamed up with my producer, Taelor, to delve deeper into the world of squeegee boys. Through extensive interviews and research, we were able to craft a story that explores themes of identity, acceptance, and resilience. I also wanted to explore the intersectionality of Asian American, Trans, and Black experiences and to reflect on the Asian privilege. Our hope is that this film will shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of urban life and inspire viewers to see the world through a new lens.
With this concept in mind, I teamed up with my producer, Taelor, to delve deeper into the world of squeegee boys. Through extensive interviews and research, we were able to craft a story that explores themes of identity, acceptance, and resilience. I also wanted to explore the intersectionality of Asian American, Trans, and Black experiences and to reflect on the Asian privilege. Our hope is that this film will shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of urban life and inspire viewers to see the world through a new lens.