Still Waters - MFA Thesis Film

Hello there!

This past year for my MFA thesis I’ve been working on a personal story titled, Still Waters, a psychological drama exploring the ideas of mental health, unresolved childhood trauma, and the relationships we have with others and with ourselves. With just a few weeks left before we start production, we need your help to make it happen.

Told through the lens of an entirely Asian American main cast, the story follows a fractured man when a mysterious boy appears in his home after a recent breakup triggers him to relive memories from his childhood. In order to save the boy, the man must find a way to confront the demons of his past before they take over the present and consume him.

This story was inspired by a combination of my own experiences as well as those of some of my family members growing up as children of immigrant parents. This past year, I found myself acknowledging for the first time how the effects of my past experiences, as well as the effects of traumas passed down to me, had contributed to the formation of some maladaptive thinking and behavioral patterns.

It took a great deal of time and energy to learn how to deal with these negative thoughts and emotions in a healthy and productive way, skills I did not develop through my childhood. As a whole, I feel as though we are only just beginning to understand the value of talking about and teaching mental health, especially among the Asian American community where many of our families come from a history of trauma.

I believe openness and honesty about how our past experiences have shaped who we are can lead to stronger and healthier relationships with others and with ourselves. Through this film, I hope to help us better understand the importance of recognizing and confronting our own traumas so that we can have the chance to learn and heal from them.

Thank you for your support as we continue to grow and tell our stories together.

- Steven