Center for Asian American Media

Since the early ’90s, the Vietnamese Youth Development Center, based in the Tenderloin district of downtown San Francisco, has integrated video workshops led by filmmaker Spencer Nakasako into their youth leadership development program. The results have been eye-opening and empowering – fresh perspectives and voices from a community largely ignored by mainstream media.

The year 2000 saw the completion of three exciting new pieces that uphold the tradition of such award-winning collaborations as A.K.A. DON BONUS and THE SEVEN OF US (TENDERLOIN STORIES).

T.L. XMAS follows Cambodian youths as they attend a “Gift Giveaways” program and experience the holiday for the first time; SCHOOL DAZE humorously breaks down a day in the lives of six students from different San Francisco high schools; and HOME closes the package with nine youths’ tender, poetic dedication to their family, friends and growing up in the Tenderloin.

Produced in collaboration with the Vietnamese Youth Development Center.

“... Expands the two-dimensional view of Asian American students – the model minority and the gangster. See how Asian American youth experience the social pressures thrust upon them... An excellent training video for all school personnel.”

- Linda Asato, Executive Director, Wu Yee Children’s Services

Recognition
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

Related Films
A.K.A. Don Bonus
Refugee
Sisters 'n' Brothers
Tenderloin Stories

College/Institution

K-12/Public Library/Community Group