Get ready for a captivating tale that will transport you to a Welsh fishing village and introduce you to a young girl's extraordinary journey!
'Under the Wave off Little Dragon': A Magical Encounter that Challenges Folklore
In this heartwarming short film, we follow the story of FeiFei, a Chinese girl growing up in a Welsh village, as she navigates her unique cultural identity. But here's where it gets controversial: FeiFei, despite her mother's attempts to instill traditional folklore, finds herself questioning these tales until a magical encounter changes her perspective entirely.
'Under the Wave off Little Dragon', directed by Luo Jian, is a 14-minute masterpiece featured at the 69th BFI London Film Festival. This multilingual film, available in Mandarin, English, and Welsh, is part of the festival's 'Discovering Home' collection, showcasing diverse stories.
The film's synopsis hints at a coming-of-age tale: "A Chinese girl growing up in a Welsh fishing village rejects her mother's folklore, until she experiences one magical encounter." With Kexin Wang as the curious and talented FeiFei, the cast also includes Ah Mui Lau, Jessica Dong, Stevee Davies, Rhys Meredith, Ross Foley, and Lee Mengo, bringing this story to life.
Supported by Future Takes, a joint initiative of the BFI and Channel 4's Film4, the film was funded and guided by creative and production executives throughout its lifecycle. Once completed, it premiered at a showcase and is now available for streaming on Channel 4 platforms and the BFI Player.
In an interview with THR, Jian shared her inspiration for the film and the personal experiences that shaped it. She revealed how her move from the U.S. to the U.K. three years ago, during a particularly dark and lonely time, led her to find solace in Wales, a place that reminded her of her hometown in China's Gobi Desert.
"I saw hints of China everywhere in Wales, from the green landscapes to the Welsh red dragon statues on people's walls. It was like a connection to home," Jian explained. This observation sparked the idea for the film, exploring the cultural dynamics between a first-generation immigrant mother and her second-generation daughter.
The casting process was crucial, and Jian found her young star, Kexin Wang, through an amazing casting director. Wang, who speaks Chinese at home but has English as her first language, brought a unique perspective to the role of FeiFei, a well-integrated second-generation immigrant.
"She was so serious about herself, a quality I don't often see in other kids. Later, I realized it was her way of overcoming nervousness. There's something charming about a kid carrying themselves so seriously, and her mom, who helped improvise scenes, was fantastic too," Jian shared.
The film's symbolism, featuring fish and dragons, holds deep meaning in Chinese culture. Jian explained, "Fish equals dragon in Chinese tales. It's a cautionary tale, teaching you to strive for a better life." However, FeiFei, like Jian herself, doesn't believe in these tales, adding a layer of complexity to the story.
As for Jian's future plans, she mentioned a couple of feature ideas brewing, but she takes her time, being a slow writer.
So, what do you think? Is folklore a powerful tool for cultural preservation, or is it something that can be questioned and challenged? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Remember, every story has multiple perspectives, and it's these differences that make our world so fascinating.
