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Shaping Identity Through Dance: An Artistic Vision of an Asian Community No Longer Ignored
August 24, 2022 — Stefanos Tai visited Hong Kong while the city was rocked by domestic protests and the wider world was in the midst of a global pandemic. Despite such unrest and political tensions, what he found there was a community of people who shared a joy and exuberance for life. A feeling that is best expressed through dance, laughter, and love.
In his latest film We Don’t Dance for Nothing, Stefanos explores the memories and experiences of the Filipina domestic workers who play a vital yet often ignored role in Hong Kong society. His work explores their socio-economic status, culture, workers’ rights, as well as themes of family and LGBTQ+ issues.
Stefanos spoke with Asia Society Korea’s senior contributor David Tizzard about how identity, culture, and a desire to connect drove to make a film that will touch and inspire many. Learn all about these visions and emotions in their conversation.
Stefanos Tai is a Greek-Chinese-American director. His works are intensely anthropological, and aim to remind us of a simple idea: we have more in common than sets us apart. He's screened at Tribeca, BAM, Cinequest, DOXA, Woodstock, and Savannah– and he’s received an Impact Doc Award, a Scholastic Gold Key, and the “One to Watch” award from the Asian American Film Festival. He has also directed branded content for the Google Creative Lab and TBWA\Worldwide. Clients include Breguet, Hennessy, Kipling, Li & Fung, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
David A. Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) has a Ph.D. in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He is a social/cultural commentator and musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He writes a weekly column in the Korea Times and is also the host of the Korea Deconstructed podcast, which can be found online.
