POWFest - Sophie 籠中雀
Sophie is an 8-year old living in Hong Kong, and when she misses a class trip to the zoo due to her mother's absence, she invites an exchange of multi-generational wisdom that may take her a lifetime to unpack.
Interview with Director Alexandra Hsu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you so much! I made this film as part of my graduate film program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Asia. This was considered my second year film project. NYU Tisch Asia was in Singapore, and I wanted to make a film in Hong Kong, as my mother grew up there. I also went to Hong Kong yearly for the first few years of my life when my grandparents were still alive.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
As human beings, we all love stories – whether they make us cry and/or make us laugh. This is a heartfelt story about a girl who is abandoned by her mother, and is forced to live with her grandmother. It’s a story that represents the feeling of being left out on a school field trip, while having your only parent/guardian leave you, moments of connection with a grandparent. We see a child lose a parent, lose someone who cared for her.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As soon as a mother abandons a child, there will always be a loss of innocence. Sophie is forced to grow up and live on her own, as her grandmother doesn’t know how to raise her, doesn’t know how to connect with her the right away – this all takes place in this short film. The Chinese title for the film is different. The literal translation of the Chinese title means, “Bird in a Cage.” And there are many reasons why or how Sophie feels encaged – amongst the adults, amongst the kids and environment of school, or just the overall feeling of being encaged by our situation. She is forced to come to terms with her new situation and new relationship. Many of my films deal with generational issues and stories, particularly in Asian families.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The general script and film did not change much from development and production. During the writing process, my co-writer, Dominique Holmes came on board, and it was great working with her. The two of us are now working on the feature of SOPHIE, to be shot over a few years.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Audience members tend to comment on and praise Charlotte Cheung's (Sophie's) performance. They are drawn to her emotions and the range she has in the film. I was incredibly lucky to be able to work with two very accomplished actors – Alannah Ong and Charlotte Cheung. People also comment on the cinematography and overall look of the film. Some people think that the film was shot on film, when it was actually shot with the Red Epic. In terms of the story, people have also told me that they felt that the film was the beginning of something longer.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, the feedback hasn’t surprised or challenged my point of view. However, it has only encouraged me and pushed me to make my dream of making it into a feature, shot over multiple years, a reality.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want to be a voice for Asian and Asian American women. And I hope that by being on www.wearemovingstories.com, more Asian female filmmakers put themselves out there and create more stories on their own.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be great if distributors, buyers, and journalists come on board for the short film. And I would love to get producers and production companies behind my vision and dream of making the feature a reality.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want audience members and viewers to feel for Sophie, and to not take our relationships and friendships with our parents for granted. I want audience members to develop a connection for Sophie, that will last for awhile. For the thesis film for my Bachelor of Arts degree, I went to Shanghai and shot a documentary about the status of women in urban China. In a few of my interviews with people, I realized that it is common in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong that children are often neglected by their parents for a multitude of reasons. Grandparents are forced to take care of their grandchildren. Most of the time, it’s for work. But other times are more serious and emotionally damaging to children. I want viewers to want more from this story, while also taking a moment to appreciate their family.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why would a parent ever abandon a child?
Would you like to add anything else?
Not for the moment. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Alexandra (Alle) Hsu – Alle is currently in post-production on her two next short films. The first one is called “Rencontres Paysannes / Farmers Dating” which was shot in Dordogne, France. The film is about a young female farmer whose heart is broken. Struggling to understand the new world of dating via technology, she’s not sure her tomatoes are ripe for anyone. The second film is her NYU thesis film, a short film called “POP!” which is about Jennifer (32) who's still living at home with her Tiger-mom mother, Pearl, and is suffering from adult acne. Pearl convinces Jennifer to attend her Chinese New Year banquet, by telling her that her high school crush will be there. Both are dramedies. Alle is also on the producing team for a short film / proof of concept called STRONG. STRONG, receiving a grant from Google to create something that will help inspire young girls to get more involved with computer science and engineering.
Dominique Holmes – Dominisque is excited to be collaborating with Alle on a few new projects, including the feature length version of Sophie. She is also developing an animated series with her talented friend Mikey Hill. He directed The Orchestra, which you must see!
The Orchestra: http://www.theorchestrashortfilm.com/
Interview: March 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Sophie 籠中雀
Sophie is an 8-year old living in Hong Kong, and when she misses a class trip to the zoo due to her mother's absence, she invites an exchange of multi-generational wisdom that may take her a lifetime to unpack.
Length: 13 minutes
Director: Alexandra Hsu
Producer: Alexandra Hsu, Malay Prakash
Writer: Dominique Holmes, Alexandra Hsu
About the writer, director and producer:
Dominique Holmes (writer) – Dominique is a screenwriter from the vibrant city of Kingston, Jamaica. Her work captures the voices of people who are often overlooked.
Alexandra Hsu (writer, director, producer) – Alexandra is a Chinese American director and producer born and raised in Orange County, California. She is deeply passionate about creating stories of girls, women, and people of Asian descent from all around the world.
Key cast: Charlotte Cheung, Alannah Ong, Siuman Ko
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): distributors, film festival directors, journalists, and producers for the feature
Funders: Family and Friends
Made in association with: NYU Tisch Asia, Salon Films
Release date: N/A
Where can I watch it in the next month?
Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival