Itchy, 2019

"'Itchy's' strength mainly thanks to the well-written script. After several revisions, the script transit from one-dimensional drama into a mixture of comedy and anti-drama. The dynamic among characters is intriguing and creative. For example, the front desk lady tells a unforgettable story about her husband and how she was trying to slowly kill him, reflects the relationship dynamic between Yuki and Richard. She speaks in a point of view where women (or older married women) taking charge in a marriage and being assertive instead of passive submissive to their partner, showing a strong sense of feminism power. Her story intimidates Richard also educates him to stop objectify his life partner, but all in a subtle way -- she didn't directly tell him to shut up and treat your wife better. It's a effective scene where we see the character's background history and personal values. Scenes like this are throughout the whole script. In the late hotel scene, when Richard opens the door and sees his wife dancing alone enjoying herself, he feels extremely awkward and mixes with resentment and weak hope of her unlikely invitation. The nuance at that moment is so rich that the silence feels too unbearable. On the other hand, Yuki's agency established once she starts to dance alone. The glowing moonlight embracing her as a sign of acceptance of her identity. She truly dancing with her utter happiness and relief. Her husband is unfamiliar with her being so relaxed and full of light, so he interrupts her and throws her out of her wonderland. Is it an intentional move? We don't know. But the action is directly influenced her emotions and physical reaction." -- Artist Statement