Ethan Mao, directed by Quentin Lee, is a story within a story about how a traditional Chinese parent rejects his gay son. When the film begins, eighteen-year-old Ethan Mao (played by Jun Hee Lee) is aware that he is gay, but his father is overly strict with him, his narcissistic stepmother Sarah (played by Julia Nickson-Soul) has little interest in him, and her son Josh (played by Kevin Kleinberg) taunts him for being a "fag." One day, Sarah discovers a gay magazine in his room and gives the magazine to his father Abraham Mao (played by Raymond Ma), knowing that he will get rid of her stepson, whom she loathes. As she expects, Abraham tells him, "You are not my son," so he leaves home to become a street hustler. Another hustler, orphaned teenage Remigio (played by Jerry Hernandez), soon befriends him and provides a place for him to sleep, but Ethan has insomnia due to the trauma of leaving home and turning tricks. Remigio tries to advise Ethan to be himself rather than acting tough if he wants to be successful at his new profession. However, Remigio sells drugs, so Ethan tries some and has a bizarre dream while in a stupor. The dream is about a visit to pick up some things from his home on Thanksgiving Day, when his family customarily visits relatives out of town. Indeed, the family is on the highway, headed out of town, when Sarah realizes that she has forgotten some jewelry, so they return home. Meanwhile, with the entercode provided by his younger brother Noel (played by David Tran), Ethan and Remigio enter the house. While Ethan is collecting his things and Remigio is grooming himself in a bathroom, Abraham suddenly enters, realizes that the home has been broken into, gets his pistol, and confronts Remigio. Ethan, who has secreted Remigio's pistol in his pants, comes to Remigio's rescue, but now is pointing the pistol at his father, whom he shoots in the leg at one point. Since Abraham is taking longer than expected, Sarah, Josh, and Noel enter the home, whereupon Ethan and Remigio hold the entire family at gunpoint. Abraham is willing to give the boys the loose cash on hand so that they will leave quickly, but Ethan wants his mother's diamond necklace, which is in the safety deposit box at the bank and thus will not be available under the following morning. Accordingly, Ethan and Remigio are prepared to hold the family hostage until then. While in control, Ethan is able to articulate his frustrations as never before. He points out that he worked at his father's restaurant from the age of eleven without pay. Ethan has good memories of his birthmother but opposite views about his stepmother, who in turn coddles her son Josh, a twenty-year-old mama's boy who stays home to keep her company and can do no wrong. Strangely, what he does not say is that he is proud of being gay, and he does not ask them for acceptance. Having tied up everyone for a vigil that will last the rest of the day and into the night, Abraham tries to reason with his son. He promises that the necklace will be his the following morning, and he offers to cook a meal for the family. After not allowing Sarah to visit the bathroom, she pees in her pants, and then Ethan allows her to change so long as Remigio keeps an eye on her; she then proves to be the slut that Ethan imagines by offering herself to Remigio, who declines. Ethan also unties Josh and Noel, who play video games with Remigio. The situation, in short, calms down. In the morning, Sarah leaves for the bank, but soon a telephone rings. The police, who the house surrounded, demand that Ethan and Remigio leave with their hands up. Abraham urges his son to do the "right thing" and assures him that he will provide a lawyer not only for Ethan but also for Remigio. Although Remigio then offers to take the fall, noting that Ethan's family loves him, Ethan insists on taking responsibility, too. Just before they leave the house, they engage in a long, erotic kiss in front of the family. However, Ethan wakes up from the dream. What he has learned from the dream is the value of love, and he proceeds to apply his insight, though a sequel may be in the offing to clarify. MH
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