Tank Fairy

Director   Erich Rettstadt
Country   Taiwan, USA
Year   2021
Languages   Mandarin
Genre   Musical, Comedy, Fantasy
Running Time   10 min

In Taiwan, "song wa si de" are workers who routinely supply gas tanks to street vendors and old residential buildings. The magical Tank Fairy delivers her tanks unlike any other—with sass, stilettos and a healthy helping of glitter. Her arrival upends the life of Jojo, a lonely ten-year-old who dreams of dancing and drag. Outcast by classmates and misunderstood by his stern, single mom, Jojo is inspired to live out loud by his fierce, propane-toting fairy godmother. Tank Fairy is a musical extravaganza that encourages us all to embrace our authentic selves.

This film is part of Shorts: The Bright Sides program.

Director's Statement

Drag is all around us. It's the costume we put on in the morning, the character we play to survive in this unwieldy world. To the initiated, drag is an act of defiance against confining social structures and an opportunity to actualize a higher self. Tank Fairy celebrates the power of fearless existence and unvarnished self-expression.

My ever-evolving definition of drag was first forged in the dive bars of Brooklyn where stages teem with undeniable talent and glisten with unidentifiable bodily fluids. After relocating to Taipei, I found camaraderie in queer spaces, connecting with the same vibrant, brazen energy of live drag shows on the other side of the planet. In collaboration with my Taiwanese partner, I embarked on developing a project to capture the art form’s ubiquitous allure.

Tank Fairy gives a campy makeover to a traditionally male dominated profession, defiantly rejecting antiquated notions of gender while paying respect to a distinct facet of everyday life in Taiwan. As characters dance among glittery gas tanks, laying claim to dynamic, intersecting identities, our story celebrates uniquely Taiwanese culture and circumstances while affirming our common humanity. Tank Fairy casts a spell, reminding us all of our extraordinary fabulousness.

Director’s Bio

Erich Rettstadt (he/him)

Erich Rettstadt is a queer American filmmaker and theater artist whose work emphasizes inclusivity and escapism. He obtained his BFA in Film Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and MFA in Writing for Screen & TV from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. His short film TANK FAIRY premiered at SXSW 2022 (Audience Award) and is an Official Selection at 140+ festivals in 30+ countries.