"Dirty Rotten Tofu and the Gohan Girls" A Western Short

by June K. Inuzuka February 11, 2023

LOG LINE: In the Wild West, three Asian girls are determined to kill the Chinatown crime boss who wants them back "Dead or Alive." SYNOPSIS: Sushi, Mochi, and Ume escape lives of forced prostitution by Tofu, a ruthless criminal mastermind in "Hop Alley." But to secure their freedom from the relentless bounty hunters hot on their trail, they must kill Tofu. What he doesn't know is that during their year in hiding, the girls have become skilled fighters. Sushi goes back to Hop Alley to kill Tofu while her companions keep the bounty hunters busy. The inevitable show down takes place at the "Rising Sun" Saloon where Tofu and Sushi square off in a fight for the highest stakes of all. Historical Back Drop The film takes place in a Denver's Chinatown in 1880. It was a presidential election year and "Yellow Fever" or fear and hatred of the Chinese, was reaching its peak. Asians were seen as less than human and Asian women were considered property to be used and discarded. Audience Appeal The film brings together the Wild West and strong female action heroes with a majority Asian cast and a diverse cast of minor characters. Picture a young Michelle Yeoh shooting up bad guys in a long western duster swirling in slow-motion, six guns blazing. In a style reminiscent of Tarrantino and a nod to Japanese anime, it is a unique and entertaining twist on the traditional western illuminating the little known role of Asians in the West.