Win or Lose

Win or Lose is an impartial yet empathetic biographical documentary project of a 25 year-old Chinese barber who immigrated to New York City by himself at the age of 15. A decade ago, Win embarked on a life-altering journey from China to the United States, as his family sold their house to fund their American Dream. During that period, a number of Chinese persons held the belief that immigrating to the United States might result in substantial income, enabling them to attain economic independence. Upon his arrival in America, Win realized that he lacked any familial or social connections in this foreign land. As a result of experiencing a sense of being alone and without assistance in the United States, he sought solace, comfort, and acceptance in Christianity. Additionally, as a Chinese national who arrived in America, it was relatively easy to secure a green card through religious immigration for someone seeking political asylum. His limited grasp of English, coupled with his routine existence that stretches from his Flushing home to the barbershop, renders Manhattan, just across the river, a distant and enigmatic world—a place close in proximity yet emotionally distant. In the summer of 2021, he unwittingly became involved in money-laundering operations, trapped by an old friend of his who used his bank account under the pretext of a currency exchange scheme. Now, while he awaits trial, he is required to wear electronic ankle bracelet, which limits him to twelve hours of freedom everyday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Overall, the project is comprised of photographs of his limited activities in various locations: the church he belongs to, the Chinatown district, his back-and-forth commutes, and the barbershop where he works, as these sites represent 99% of Win's everyday existence when he goes out. Consequently, I am not attempting to critique American culture for its discriminatory and unjust treatment of Asians, nor the negligence and injustice exhibited by the American legal system against Asians. I aim to create an impartial yet empathetic documentary of Win’s trials and tribulations in the United States.