Fly in Power
2023
United States / Australia
79 mins
English, Korean, Mandarin
NYC Premiere
Documentary Film Competition
| Yin Q, Yoon Grace Ra | |
| Xen Nhà | |
| Prof. Elena Shih, Yeonhoo Cho | |
| Implied Violence; Discussion or Depiction of Suicide |
‘Fly in Power’ spotlights the work of Asian migrant massage and sex workers of Red Canary Song, a mutual aid, abolitionist collective based in Flushing, NYC. We follow the stories of Charlotte (a Korean massage worker/poet), KhoKhoi (bodyworker/healer), and Prof. Elena Shih (Brown University, global human trafficking researcher) as well as the broader Red Canary Song community. The film is a glimpse into their practices of care, autonomy, and survival against the oppressive systems that face Asian massage parlour workers and sex workers. Calling for ‘rights, not rescue’ these women and non-binary queers fight for their community, for decriminalization, and debunking the myths of sex trafficking that pervade the Asian diaspora. This film has been produced entirely by women, non-binary, trans and queers of the Asian diaspora – more than half of the production team are former sex workers.
About the Director
Yin Q is a Queer, Chinese American parent, writer, and sex worker rights advocate. They are a core organizer of Red Canary Song and Founding Director of Kink Out. Their work can be seen in ‘We Too’ (pub Feminist Press), ‘Mercy Mistress’ (pilot), and the ‘Fly In Power’ short. www.yinq.net
Yoon Grace Ra is a cultural organizer working with audio/visual media. Their filmmaking practice is formed in relationship with movement communities, soil + decomposition studies, and Korean shamanic folk music.
Reviews
“Fly In Power” gives voice to the unheard within the Asian migrant massage community – by Julia Diorio, Winter Film Awards
5 Questions with Fly in Power – Liminal Magazine
“Fly In Power” Gives Voice To Asian Migrant Massage Workers – Asian American Arts Alliance, by Kathy Ou
Documentary ‘Fly In Power’ Highlights The Work Of Red Canary Song – Forbes, by Joan MacDonald
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