LUNAR NEW YEAR INTERVIEW SERIES: Andy Wong
LUNAR NEW YEAR INTERVIEW SERIES: An Introduction
Over the last two years, we have been forced to focus on the things that keep us apart. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated the divides and inequities in our society and has challenged us all in ways we never considered. Incidents of anti-Asian racism have skyrocketed, particularly in the wake of harmful and racist rhetoric perpetuated about the origins of the virus. Re-examining our shared history and deepening our understanding of Asian cultures is long overdue, and while the learning curve can be steep, we have much to gain when we are willing to listen and learn together.
One of the best (and most fun!) ways to deepen our understanding of one another is through the joy of shared celebrations. On February 1, 2022, more than two billion people around the world will celebrate Lunar New Year. This celebration traditionally lasts 15 days and culminates with the Lantern Festival, celebrating peace, reconciliation, the coming of spring, and a fresh start. We spoke with three members of our local motion picture community who celebrate Lunar New Year, and we welcome you to learn and celebrate with us.
Xin Nian Hao! Gong Hei Fat Choy! Xin Nian Fai Lok! Happy Lunar New Year!
LUNAR NEW YEAR INTERVIEW: Andy Wong
Andy Wong is an IATSE 891 permittee in the Lighting/Grips Departments and a member of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC). You can find more of Andy’s work here, and check out his podcast BIPOC Credits, where he interviews other BIPOC industry professionals to share their stories.
Thanks for joining us, Andy! What do Lunar New Year celebrations look like for you?
“It’s actually a few days of celebration. Every day has a big dinner with different family members and friends. On one day, my dad hosts a big dinner for his company – he would invite all his employees and we would play games, eat, and have a big celebration for several hours.
The other nights are with other family members and on the night of Chinese New Year, Aberdeen Centre has a big countdown, and we would go with our cousins and celebrate with everyone at the mall. I remember, way back when, when I was younger, all the relatives and friends give the kids red packets. I was so excited by these things, especially the lion dances at the mall - it’s phenomenal.”
How has being Asian impacted your time in the film industry?
“I started out as an actor in high school. I was going to be the next John Cho! But there weren’t a lot of roles for BIPOC actors, so I learned how to make my own movies so I could put myself in them.
I think we are in an exciting time for BIPOC people to consider this industry as a career, in any department. Before there were no stories about us, but now there is demand and it has opened more opportunities now than ever.
There’s something so exciting as a BIPOC person, working on a BIPOC project, at any part of the process. If the project excites you, you want to put more into it, put more heart into it. The projects that do that for me are the projects that move the industry forward. When I got a chance to work with Chow Yun-Fat, it was mind-blowing. I was so excited. The passion was really alive. The more we have these members on these shows, the more excited and passionate and engaged we will all be.”
Why is sharing celebration so important?
“So often we focus on the things that we need to do better, and without celebrating our victories, we don’t know what that baseline is that we are working from. It helps us check-in, see how far we have come. It doesn’t take away from where we have to go, but we can celebrate that we got here. You already care about Chinese food, why don’t you try and understand the rest of it? When there is an opportunity to learn, you should always take it. Always be learning. Always be growing and be willing to hear about another culture. Learn and understand and it will help you connect to those people.”
