Story - Why Poor?
CRAZY POOR ASIANS is an independent comedy-drama inspired by my experiences living in Toronto between 2018 and 2024.
The Story
TOSHI is a young Japanese photographer who arrives in downtown Toronto hoping to build a career, expand his network, and make a living with his camera.
When he finds an affordable room for only $650 a month, it feels like the perfect opportunity.
There is only one problem: the apartment is shared with the building’s eccentric property manager.
As winter deepens, TOSHI becomes trapped in an increasingly bizarre living situation. Unable to afford a better apartment and reluctant to create conflict, he chooses to endure the chaos rather than confront it directly.
Inspired by real events, CRAZY POOR ASIANS is a comedy about culture shock, financial pressure, loneliness, and the strange situations people find themselves in when trying to build a life in a new country.
"CLOSE-UP (CU) on TOSHI’s face, a 26-year-old Japanese man.
He wakes up.
Cut to the opposite side of the room.
The silhouette of his roommate/property manager, ALEX (30-year-old male from the Bahamas), lying on his mattress.
ALEX is doing SOMETHING."
Why This Film?
I lived and worked in Toronto between 2018 and 2024 as a photographer, videographer, editor, and freelancer.
Many of the experiences that inspired this film were not simply about difficult people. They were often the result of financial pressure, cultural misunderstandings, insecurity, loneliness, and poor communication.
At the time, many of these situations felt stressful and frustrating.
Today, they feel surprisingly funny.
CRAZY POOR ASIANS is my attempt to turn those memories into a story that is entertaining, honest, and relatable.
Plans
The film is planned to be shot in December 2026 in the downtown Toronto area over approximately five days.
Once post-production is completed in 2027, the film will be submitted to film festivals as soon as possible.
Future Prospects
The completed film will be submitted to Canadian, Japanese, and international film festivals.
Regardless of festival results, the film will be released online and shared through community screenings and special events.
Long-term, I hope CRAZY POOR ASIANS can grow into a larger anthology project featuring stories inspired by real immigrant and newcomer experiences from a diverse range of Asian creatives.
Support
Whether you choose to contribute financially, share the project, or simply follow the journey, your support helps make this film possible.
Every contribution helps us bring CRAZY POOR ASIANS to life while supporting the talented artists working behind the scenes.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
