Andrew Ahn gave an acceptance speech for all of us

'Spa Night' wins the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards.



Forget the Academy Awards. The best acceptance speech of the weekend happened at the 32nd Independent Spirit Awards, courtesy of writer/director Andrew Ahn. His acclaimed coming-of-age drama Spa Night won the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a film budgeted at less than $500,000.

Stepping up to the mic, Andrew nervously admitted, "I'm gonna barf," then offered some heartfelt thanks for honoring his film about a Korean American immigrant family and queer Korean American people. He also stressed the importance of telling stories by underrepresented voices.

"Now, more than ever, it's important that we support stories told by and about communities that are marginalized; that we tell stories about immigrants, Muslims, women, people of color, trans and queer folk," Andrew said. "Film is such a power tool in humanizing these communities so that we can't be pushed aside and labeled as "other." We are a part of this great country and we are undeniable."

Here's the full video of his speech:

Q & A with SPA NIGHT Director Andrew Ahn

By tk Lê.'


Joe Seo in Spa Night
What comes to mind when you think of the spa? Luxury, relaxation, cleansing, discomfort, family, sex, adventure, the Korean death scrub? And while we're at it, is the spa a gay thing, a Korean thing, or a Korean American thing? For Andrew Ahn, the director of Spa Night, it is all of the things, all at the same time. It's a place where the main character, David Cho, bonds with his family, keeps his parents safe, and explores his sexuality.

I sat with Andrew Ahn to chat about Koreatown, queerness, and the pitfalls of authenticity. The interview has been edited for clarity. [Warning! This interview is full of spoilers.]

Watch the trailer for the award-winning drama 'Spa NIght'

Andrew Ahn's debut feature opens August 19 in New York and August 26 in Los Angeles.



The award-winning indie coming-of-age drama Spa Night opens in limited theatrical release next month from Strand Releasing. Writer/director Andrew Ahn's debut feature tells the story of one Korean American family's dreams and realities as each struggles with the overlap of desire, disillusionment and sense of tradition.

I attended the world premiere of Spa Night at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where it won a Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance for lead actor Joe Seo. The film also recently took home the U.S. Grand Jury Prize at Outfest, the Los Angeles LGBT film festival. It's an incredible, heartfelt, deeply personal film.

Here's the official Spa Night trailer, which just premiered on Vulture:

Joe Seo wins Sundance Special Jury Award for 'Spa Night'

Actor wins award for Breakthrough Performance in writer/director Andrew Ahn's feature debut.



Over the weekend, the 2016 Sundance Film Festival wrapped up ten days of premieres and deals by handing out awards for the festival's top films. Huge congratulations go to actor Joe Seo, who won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance in Spa Night.

Seo plays 18-year-old David Cho, the closeted son of immigrants parents living and working in Los Angeles' Koreatown. As his parents struggle to make ends meet, David grapples with his awakening independence, sexuality and Korean American identity in writer/director Andrew Ahn's quiet, confident feature film debut.

Joe wasn't even at Saturday night's Closing Awards Ceremony, but Andrew was on hand to accept the award on his behalf. Here's video of Andrew collecting the trophy:

Fund This: 'Spa Night' - A Korean American Film about coming out

A closeted teenager follows his desires and finds more than he bargains for at the Korean spa.



Here's a cool feature film project that's asking for some crowdfunding support... Writer/director Andrew Ahn's Spa Night is a indie coming-of-age drama about a closeted Korean American teenager who follows his desires and finds more than he bargains for at the Korean spa. The film's Kickstarter campaign is winding down and they're making a final push for help from the community to make it happen.

Here's a video of Andrew explaining a little background on the film: