Synopsis: Grappling with a heartbreak, Duy, a gay, Vietnamese American creative drifts through the cycle of disappointment, rejection, and quiet despair, spiraling into self-destruction until he confronts the weight of familial scars and rediscovers his true self.

This short was shot as a proof of concept, for the feature film, which bears the same title, SummerWinterSummer. The feature delves deeper into the recurring cycle of trauma and heartache faced by a gay Vietnamese American artist in his pursuit of love.

“SWS ORIGIN” — DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

The Trevor Project’s 2024 national survey brief on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) LGBTQ+ youth reveals a population in crisis: 68% reported symptoms of anxiety and 61% depression. These figures reflect the compounded impact of racism, homophobia, and severe mental-health under-service, creating cycles of isolation and self-doubt that demand visibility.

As a first-generation Vietnamese-American gay man, I grew up within this intersection. My young adulthood was marked by shame, disconnection, and the belief that I failed both culturally and personally. With no safe space to turn to, I searched for validation in digital queer spaces, where belonging felt possible but rarely materialized. I became addicted to gay apps like Grindr, convinced love could exist in the next match or message. Instead, I faced explicit anti-Asian racism. Messages such as “No Asians” or “Chinks need not apply” deepened my isolation from the very community I sought support and connection from.

My feature film, SummerWinterSummer, emerges from this lived experience. The film captures a destabilizing period when my life revolved around the pursuit of love, and arrives at the realization that happiness comes not from external validation but from psychological integration—recognizing internalized shame, cultivating self-compassion, and forming secure bonds through chosen family. Rather than offering easy resolution, the film traces the uncomfortable process of building emotional resilience and self-worth.

If you enjoyed the short and wish to see the full feature, please consider donating to our fundraising campaign. 100 percent of your donation is tax deductible under the fiscal sponsorship of FILM INDEPENDENT. Click the DONATE button below.

Your contribution makes a profound difference in giving voice to underrepresented communities, gay and Asian - those who do not have the opportunity to tell their stories.

In honor of your generous support, we’ve prepared a list of perks in the PERKS button below. Please click to view the benefits associated with your donation level.