Stephanie Wang-Breal models St. John knitwear. Photo: James Fideler.

Image of Florence Wang at a March of Dimes gala, 1987. Photo: William D. Lewis.

Film still from Florence from Ohio. Photo: James Fideler.

Film still from Florence from Ohio. Photo: James Fideler.

Film still from Florence from Ohio. Photo: James Fideler.

Image of Florence Wang, 1985.

Florence from Ohio

A first-generation Chinese American from Youngstown, OH, Stephanie Wang-Breal uses film as a tool to subvert the narrative.

Artist Bio

Florence from Ohio is a real-life, genre-twisting film about an immigrant Chinese woman, Florence Wang, and her first-generation daughter, Stephanie Wang-Breal. Told through the lens of Florence’s St. John Knitwear suits, mother and daughter collectively reimagine and embrace their generational ideas of motherhood, feminism, racism, and assimilation.

Discipline
Documentary Film, Video Art
Award Year
2020
Status

In Progress

Themes
Stephanie Wang-Breal, dressed in a St. John knitwear suit, reflects upon the vast collection of American art on display at the Butler Institute of American Art.

Stephanie Wang-Breal

Brooklyn, NY

A first-generation Chinese American from Youngstown, OH, Stephanie Wang-Breal uses film as a tool to subvert the narrative. She has directed three feature length films: the award-winning Wo Ai Ni Mommy, Tough Love, and the award-winning Blowin’ Up. She has also directed commercials and short form content with talents and brands such as Tan Dun, Planned Parenthood, Minwax, ESPN, Tiffany & Co, Verifone, and Apple. Wang-Breal’s independent work has been supported and recognized by the Sundance Institute, the Ford Foundation, and featured at the Tribeca Film Festival. Wang-Breal was awarded a 2019 Chicken and Egg Award, and she is the mother of two children.

Photo: James Fideler