SOMANG (소망)

This is a film that will help audiences see what queer and AAPI joy can look like on screen. In a world where all we are told about queer people stems from stereotypes and trauma, this is a short film that aims to celebrate the joy we can feel, even if some of our journeys still dip into the isolation of being different than the societal norm. SOMANG (소망) is about STEVE, a queer Korean-American high school boy who is sent on a treasure hunt by his deceased grandfather CHAN SOL with the help of Steve's mother APRIL. The treasure hunt reveals Chan Sol's own queerness and shows Steve that he was never alone in this journey. The locations of the hunt are locations that Chan Sol and Steve have many memories with, but Steve now sees in a new way with the help of audio tapes that Chan Sol left to help Steve along the journey. Ultimately, this story is about family, and a queer coming of age that does not surround the traditional narrative of centering coming out, but rather centers family, community, and joy.