The coming out process is complicated and unique for everyone -- especially when there are familial or cultural tensions involved.
What can the experience of coming out be like within the context of a Korean-American family? Filmmaker Andrew Ahn aims to answer this question in his new film "Spa Night" by gazing through the lens of a space that served as a fixture of Korean tradition throughout his childhood: the spa.
After spending a significant portion of his childhood in the spa with his family, Ahn was shocked to learn that there existed a secret underground community of queer men who hooked up with each other in the spa. This experience serves as the inspiration for "Spa Night."
"At its core, Spa Night is about growing up. It’s about becoming your own person," Ahn said in an interview with Sundance. "At the beginning of the film, David is attracted to men, he has these desires, but he isn’t ready to make it an identity, to make it a part of himself. By the end of the film, David gets it. He grows up. I think everyone understands that journey. We all grow up with different expectations of our futures that come from outside sources: family, community, society. But there’s always a moment when you can finally hear yourself above the noise, telling you what you really want. This is the moment that Spa Night explores."
"Spa Night" is currently engaged in a Kickstarter campaign in order to fully fund the project. Head here for more information.