Zoetic (Short Film)

[@Soma2501]

Agape: Unconditional Love Pragma: Practical, dutiful love Philia: Deep friendship love Eros: Passionate, Sensual Love Philautia: Self-love Ludus: Playful, fun love Zoetic: The very essence of the human experience

[@TheRainyAsian]

I love the usage of Chinglish, it's such a common part of our lives as Chinese Americans, but rarely authentically portrayed. This is such a beautiful and heartwarming film, amazing work.

[@sonnytaylor5668]

"What I want doesn't matter." This line broke me.

[@selene3951]

I love how this features Cantonese!! Incredible job.

[@xeax-r5l]

As someone who also has a single mother, I think it’s very important to show and tell their stories-who they are as a person and not just as a parent. But at the same time, it’s important to recognize where and what time periods they come from. Dating, love, and relationships will not have the same meaning to them as it does for us and while it’s cool to give them the opportunity to understand all of it like we do, it’s also important not to push it onto them. I’d never tell my mom to date to find happiness if that’s not what happiness is for her. Not just for older Asian folks but for many people in general, relationships aren’t happiness which is why they don’t pursue it.

[@nathanhoang6365]

Same, my mom is fine with where she is and she’s happy, no need to usher her into a life of relationships if it’s not needed 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@wayfarerofficialteaser4106]

Wayfarer official teaser - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ2qpH6AeL6pj5I It is a timely concept based short film. Just watch it you will be surprised. This is not a spam msg. Since youtube has become money to get our videos to reccomendation, so we promote it in youtube itself.

[@AnestheticsForAna]

Yes 👏

[@duskshadow25]

I think a better question in asking the mom in this short film is whether she actually wants to fall in love and whether or not that's something that'll make her happy, instead of trying to push her to "fall in love." Just because a person doesn't fall in love, it doesn't mean she is not happy. Your own definition of happiness may include falling in love, but to other people they may not want to be in a relationship, you know? There are many ways to express our love, and happiness doesn't necessarily derive only from being in love with a person. A better perspective to look at this is, a person should be happy with or without another person in their life. A person is only ready when she can be happy with or without being in a relationship and falling in love. When you can be content, happy, love yourself, and not depended on another person for validation, only then can you give your love to another person genuinely and maturely. Relationship should be an icing on the cake to your life, not something you need to satisfy or expect to meet your own happiness. You should be happy as a whole cake, but a cherry on top would just make it better. That's how relationship is supposed to be. Otherwise, that perspective is unstable because you're depending on someone else to bring you happiness. And when that person is gone, so does your happiness, which in reality is a very fragile foundation to begin with if you were to go that route. If you love a flower, don't pick it up. Because if you pick it up, it dies and it ceases to be what you love. So if you love a flower, let it be. Water the flower daily and be there when it needs you. That's all you need to do. Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation. Understand that freedom is the possibility of isolation. You are free if you can withdraw from people, not having to seek them out for the sake of money, company, love, glory or curiosity, none of which can thrive in silence and solitude. If you can't live alone, you were born a slave.

[@ungphuc]

So true! In this video, she loves her mom, so she imposed what she wants for herself on her mom. It would be the same thing as when Asian parents want their kids to be doctors and lawyers. Though, it’s nice to see daughter wishing mom to be happy.

[@AnestheticsForAna]

Yes yes yes, understanding this is how I was able to truly enjoy my singlehood and learn to love others first. To add on anecdotally: I’m now a new mom and how I used to think of parenthood compared to how I’m experiencing it now is so different! My interpretation of happiness and love has completely changed and to be honest, I don’t want to go back. We all receive love and attain happiness in different ways at different stages of our life. It’s not necessarily better or worse, but it’s appropriate to that time in your life!

[@59fiftycap]

i like peter pan

[@jennyz1690]

Wow beautifully written!

[@alexanderashmore]

The daughter does…

[@kimhuynh6942]

This short really hit. Our parents are so used to doing things for others and sacrificing the things that they want and what they want to do. They disregard their own happiness saying that their family and their children are more important than themselves. This short was beautiful in every way. Thank you Wong Fu! Thank you Julie! Thank you Wes!

[@jensentung]

This is so relatable, I shed a tear. And the double pillowcases! I thought only my Mom did that 😂 Amazing work as always!

[@katyb2793]

My Aussie family have always done that too 😁

[@wayfarerofficialteaser4106]

Wayfarer official teaser - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ2qpH6AeL6pj5I It is a timely concept based short film. Just watch it you will be surprised. This is not a spam msg. Since youtube has become money to get our videos to reccomendation, so we promote it in youtube itself.

[@hu4ngming]

Well that's what my family do.. triple even.. but.. gotta glen the first two regularly..

[@rainbows945]

“I want a relationship with my mom, but I can’t have one because you’re so busy being my mom instead of a human being” is so relatable!!

[@Meo_R]

Being an Asian is caught up in between building walls around our feeling and the combustion of wanting to express it. This short film is just so great. Thanks you for making me tearing up again.

[@judytrinh]

"i don't understand because you still treat me like a child. i don't understand because you never talk to me. i never know how you feel. i just want a relationship with my mom but i can't because you're too busy being a mom instead of a human being." i strongly felt this & fully relate. this made me cry :'( 💔💔 💔

[@beracahlam1479]

Thank you so much Julie and Wong Fu for making this available 🥺

[@sweetlistenings3324]

That tall black actor that's in this short has been acting for many, many, years and has been in so much stuff. I can't believe that yall got him to act in this! 😀

[@FrozenAngelWings69]

Julie and Wes working together is always amazing :)

[@mallickpriyanshuOG]

This is so beautifully written and directed. This is a very real and relatable film. As Julie said as Asians we feel kinda awkward about talking to our parents about our feelings. This is an elegantly heartwarming love letter to our moms/parents. ❤️

[@ashesfallenart]

I'm just here all excited hearing all the cantonese (years after repeatedly watching Wes's The One Days hk stories) and great to see their collab again.

[@tumbleweed9977]

This was an excellent short film with a message a lot of immigrant parents and 1st gen children can relate to. This illustrates the challenges and heartache that the generational and cultural gap can produce.

[@NoelleCho]

So very true! We live completely different lives, with different society unspoken rules, different values and countries from our immigrant parents.

[@shynessbreakthroughcommuni826]

What a beautiful story that captures Asian American culture/struggles/feelings in the modern age.

[@MrCloudss]

So so relatable. A few years back when i came to know about Zoetic after watching Julie's and Wes's interviews. I asked my mom the question, what does she really want want in life other than me and my Dad's well being. And she had no real answer. And at that point I realized as an asian mom she probably never even thought about asking herself that question.

[@minyoongistan5852]

true....i told my mom to focus on herself and try to do sth she like...but it looks like she doesnt know what to do except for her children...she feels so lost when i ask her not to think about me too often

[@moodyzebra]

“Stifled in our capacity to fully love others.” Beautiful

[@Marco-ht5ys]

I said I wouldn't cry and I failed. Wong Fu videos always hit somewhere close to home. Mothers constantly give and do things out of the purity of their heart and yet we still don't know each other well. Communication of each others feelings is hard but I know they mean well. Just agh! This was beautiful

[@roses7659]

I love the writing in this film. I see this within my grandma actually--last year, my grandpa passed away around the holidays and it was very hard on all of us but especially her. She's always showing sacrificial love to our family, but we wish for her own happiness as well

[@moonie11355]

Definitely one of the top videos made by wong fu.

[@soaringdavis8202]

A human experience. I LOVED the mom!!!! I am going through the same exact thing right now, care taking elderly parents & a mother. I can totally relate to how she feels. "I don't know, & what I want doesn't matter", are REAL responses, with a painful void. We often don't allow ourselves the pleasure of exploring that line of thought for fear that we are being selfish- the opposite of what we were taught growing up. Living 40 or 60 yrs like this makes it very difficult to have a ready answer. We do it so our kids can grow up and have the freedoms to make works of art like this. Also this happens to children in many cultures.

[@12ita]

Can you add Chinese captions for English dialogue so I can share with my family?

[@askjennanything]

Hahahaha “Kinky” 😂 Oh man, this is such a great short. The acting is natural and the script is real. I love the Cantonese too.

[@kinkiutse2151]

Good to see them act together again. I forgot how many years ago I have watched a film called 'my mother's jade'. Both two are good films, and I love the dialog mix of Cantonese and English!

[@JohnZhang415]

Thank you for this! I teared up because it was so relatable. Cheers to all the single mothers out there and their everlasting support!

[@suppishnaruto]

I saw this when it premiered at Buffer Festival, so glad I can share it with people now!

[@dekoo8932]

I wish wong fu got more views, they are such an amazing channel that puts so much effort. Sadge

[@Darightchois]

This film is so underrated on so many levels

[@Bunny-qm9ns]

This was so beautiful , people act like once you hit a certain age it’s over or you don’t deserve anything , we all deserve happiness and love , and I hope you tell yourselves that everyday ❤️✨

[@OfficialCrystalSings]

NGL, I saw my mom in this, but I saw myself, too. I cried. As a caregiver, I’m always doing things for other people, and I never have time for the things I want. Maybe some day I’ll figure things out.

[@sinochopin]

This is good writing and good production. This is Art. This is what inspires all the fellow filmmakers.

[@notmichelle4552]

I'm not crying, this is very relatable.

[@KH_Dewantoro]

As a Chinese Indonesian, I can definitely relate to this story. If only there is Indonesian subtitle, I would have shared it to my family.

[@AyanamiRei5kyu]

just today i had a talk with a friend that our chinese parents grew up with a complete different mentality. it's not the mushy gushy "fall in love with your soulmate" mentality that's common in the west. they had a more practical approach, more about finding a partner in life, rely on each other, raise kids, have a steady life. i think my mother hasn't ever been in love either but honestly i think some people don't need that to be happy in life. there are so many aspects in life, i find it a bit narrow minded to assume everyone needs to date or fall in love to be happy.

[@janetli2658]

I completely agree with the commentary about Chinese parents growing up with a completely different mentality. It's not so much the eros/passionate kind of love, but more of the practical approach like you mentioned: someone who treats you well, who raises a family and can provide you a stable life. But I do think there are certain parts of life that you miss out on in these kinds of marriages, but it definitely has a cultural component to it.

[@hiba.bhatti]

Exactly 😭

[@dogstick12]

No one ever sees the actions of everyone's life

[@arilaine6113]

So warm story. I like to watch these movies and see that though customs, culture and attitudes may be totally different (I live in Finland, northern europe), still the emotions are totally the same, it just shows differently.

[@video4newt]

I totally can relate to this seeing how much my parents not just mom sacrificed so much and never think of themselves but their children and family first. The way of showing affection through food is so accurate. The use of Chinglish was so on point. Love seems like a taboo subject in families. So relatable. Great work again.

[@saininj]

Been craving new content from you guys. Still looking forward to the sequel to Strangers Again.

[@shihlihsu9918]

love the whole concept of this film! most of our asian mom just being busy taking care of ourself instead of their own selves the whole time. its hard for them to balance when the child are all grown up. all we can do is to give back all the love and help they deserve.

[@schuuichiminamino]

I do the double pillow case too lol Oh, moms. Their mindset is: once a mother, my children are everything that matters. Forever.

[@chengliu872]

I personally don't have to. The fabric part of my pillow is washable as well.

[@Nightfall69]

Thank you, Julie and Wes, for such a wonderful story. Well written and well produced. Congrats on being in the Top Three.

[@erikvenegas5688]

I love the scene doing the weekly pills. So much acts of love

[@65Sherbear]

Wes, please keep writing and keep filming. Love should be a simple language being understood, but it is so complicated due to different cultures.

[@klwl]

That was truly moving and touching, and a realistic portrayal of Asian mothers! Appreciate the Cantonese dialogues, which added authenticity to the story's setting...

[@sookguttilla3979]

I found this short film somehow. My mom and I were older generation so we never had that kind of mother daughter talk. We never talk this way, So it is good that children now can talk to their mom. I love the fact it was spoken Cantonese and at times Chinglish. Great job!

[@unathibooi5065]

Whew, this was such a beautiful story. So true to life, I love how this felt like something I could subtly recommend my mom to watch, in the name of "just a movie" and it can really speak to her. I loved it!

[@Musical-Flow]

I love this love-letter film, and the title, Zoetic is totally on point! Thank you both and your team for this beautiful gift to the world 💗! Heartfelt and relatable in many ways. Interestingly, I see aspects of my mom and even of myself, as a young Asian mom, in it. I came here to study music as an adolescent and now, a US citizen raising American teenagers. The transition is happening within me and I’m able to fully embrace the 3 other types of love (philautia, ludus and hopefully eros again in the near future). Honoring all 6 types of love leads me to self-rediscovery post divorce and the courage to pursue my childhood dreams ☺️. I believe I’m currently experiencing the essence of a zoetic life 🥰. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@Lion-ik6lv]

I LOVE this so much! Thank you for sharing. Watching it on youtube is my first experience with this short film. As I was watching, I thought of not only the relationships within my family but also my friends and those that I surround myself with. I love the humor and the deepness.

[@usagination]

Such a heartwarming short film 🥺

[@yeps2468]

Massive clash between Western and Eastern ideals. Nice

[@SAPPER510]

Classic and original Asian story. Love it!

[@marvinmiller2983]

WTF this was so good! This channel deserves more views

[@nachan88]

This short film is incredible and it's just so Wes :)

[@rycebabii]

Why do we always need to want this or that to be happy. The mom is happy being who she is, with her children and family.

[@Pochamochak]

KINDA IRRELEVANT BUT THIS TOTALLY BROUGHT ME BACK TO JULIES “MY MOTHERS JADE” SHORT WHERE IM CONSTANTLY CRYINGGG

[@sabrinac9905]

This short film is so underhyped. It's a masterpiece

[@yeps2468]

Lol. Usually it’s the Mum asking the kids to go find a partner!!

[@lordkent8143]

Ikr! I was expecting the mom to turn it around and tell Julie to find herself a partner instead so she can have grandchildren.

[@RisRis]

my single Chinese mom sent this to me! it's funny because she somewhat uses dating apps but she's the kind of person who knows what she wants and since she's in her 60's she knows herself well and knows the kinds of people on dating apps in her demographic. i also think it's significant to think about the need for romantic love, there are times I think my mom is aromantic, maybe asexual too, and that's cool. I think there's so much emphasis on falling in love but honestly, it's not for everyone. of course, her experience is very different from mine. always interesting to think about how chinese culture is perceived in the west.

[@thewesleychan]

wow!

[@sherrytang5]

That was beautiful, super relatable.

[@MarsSiahaanMarshy]

finally i can watch this 😭 i was volunteering when this was played in a movie screening and was so bummed that i couldnt see it but finally😭😭😭💙

[@joycesays]

Absolutely loved this and so beautifully written and filmed. I hardly hear Cantonese nowadays and hearing it was music to my ears!

[@user-hm6fn3mh9k]

Such a beautiful and raw story! Good job you two!!

[@vivian927]

What a great piece of work! It is relatable. Thank you

[@tiffanyvang9304]

So glad I took the time to watch this short film. Love it !

[@agaped6977]

What a talented cast and crew.

[@yokoapriltamada672]

I love this film ❤

[@NeedThat]

The short film we needed 🥰 great job Julie and team!

[@perrinfan]

This was beautiful.

[@charmnGUY]

Well done Wong Fu, Julie & Wesley

[@JenniferHuangDeng22]

I love the concept about the 6 categories of love in Greece.

[@jeffwei]

Wahhhhh I'm so happy you guys uploaded this to your channel so everyone can watch it!!

[@bayareayackem100]

Julie is back!!!

[@andreasokile]

Damn that part of writing a love letter to our Mom the things we couldn't share with our mom but sharing it to whole world is so relatable, typical Wes style of wordplay in video aaand shoutout to Julie, this shortfilm is actually very good despite the view compare to other Wong Fu videos. I love you guys so much WFPro guiding through my adulthood with all those vids :''')

[@BusinessReportShow]

Amazing work Julie and Wes!!! Great stuff as always.

[@stephaniesayturn]

This was incredible 🤍

[@jpogolewis2140]

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, A VERY BEAUTIFUL STORY, AND VERY WELL IN HOW Y'ALL PUT IT TOGETHER! MY GRANDMA LUCITA ( R.I.P. 2/29/2021 AGE 95) IS/WAS A TRULY TRADITIONAL FILIPINA LADY AND WAS DEVOTED TO MY GRANDFATHER EVEN WHEN SHE DIVORCED HIM FOR INFIDELITY IN 1980. SHE STILL TOOK CARE OF HIM UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY IN 1983. SHE NEVER DATED ANYONE ELSE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. ITS AMAZING TO THINK THAT MY GRANDMOTHER AND MY GRANDFATHER HAD MET IN WW2 AND THEN MARRIED. MY GRANDMOTHER HAD GAVE HERSELF COMPLETELY TO ONE MAN FOR HER ENTIRE LIFE, SHE DIED AT AGE 95. WOW, IF ONLY TODAY'S LOVE WAS LIKE THAT OF YESTERYEAR....

[@NinjaGamong]

can someone please give them a fucking oscar! holy shit it was almost like i could actually see them being human rather than actresses

[@HanahS.]

Dawn Ying Yuen looks amazing as always ☺️

[@cezza180]

Using the dishwasher as a dish dryer! Please tell me that was what was happening! Ahh! My household in a nutshell!!!

[@refiloendlovu6518]

I love this!!

[@angelaweng8480]

Great Video and Amazing Content. I love that I’m growing alongside Wong Fu.

[@ddalgeexD]

wow, just wow ❤

[@myginny73]

The Chinglish is on point 😅 and the story was beautifully made

[@Defiantclient]

Amazing. Very very relatable for me and my family...

[@olivialiang]

LOVE THIS LOVE YOU GUYS

[@EmilyYebananapie]

Beautiful, thank you.

[@mervolongo229]

If this doesn't get a million views, I'm not gonna be happy at all!

[@julzamidala2865]

Love this so much

[@evansstenakis7424]

It's amazing how Greeks have so many words for love each with a different meaning and again its strange how other cultures do not even know those kinds

[@Heyitdave]

Perfect angles/ shots jesus

[@leeanastarzZ]

E: But what did you want? M: A chinese woman don't ask herself such a question. Why do I feel so sad? This reminds me so much of my mom.

[@PratiksMusic]

left me in tears :'

[@yusufh4243]

Wow such an amazing story

[@purplcell104]

My mother isn't Asian and I can relate to this story. Most people who have immigrant parents can find similarities in stories like these.

[@_aiko020]

THIS IS SO GOOD IM CRYINGGG

[@Tracydoune]

Love you guys!

[@lordkent8143]

ABCs to parents: " don't you want to fall in love?" Common answers from Chinese Moms or even dads: “Look how old I am and you think there's time for that?" , "What's love? You mean that sex stuff you see in American movies? I don't want another kid." , "I'm not young anymore" , avoids topic or laughs and changes topics..., "Love? You should be thinking about that. Make sure he's rich first.", "Make money and have good health. Then there's love."

[@Karina_Engr]

Dammitt! I made it to 14:06 before the waterworks 😭😭