Cannes Short Film Corner - Under The Same Sky
During the national campaign of the Chinese government on equal education, city boy Huang's life and schooling are totally different from Chen’s who lives on the countryside.
Interview with Writer/Director Yoyo Li
Watch Under The Same Sky on Kanopy and Audpop
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I’m from the city, but I spent my summers in the countryside. In the countryside is where I experienced my happiest childhood memories. As I got older my eyes were opened to inequality of development within China. It is quite ironic how beautiful the countryside is yet there are such devastating circumstances where people suffer from poverty, poor education and lack of job opportunities. Young children could have a second rate education just because of the fact that they live in the country, whose resources lack fundamental standards compared to the flourishing Chinese city-scape.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This side of China has never been shown to the western media because the government discourages it, and as a result Western culture has had little access to it. For this reason, I decided that I wanted to use my camera to take people to places that they have never been. I believe that exposure of this issue was the first step in the movement to bring equality to people who have unheard voices in their country.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The personal component in the film comes from my own elementary education experience. Huang, like me, was under a lot of pressure to perform well in grade school. I wanted to explore why I am the person I am today by observing a child who carries my former experiences.
For a more universal theme I documented the life of a boy living in the countryside, Chen. His story is universal because anyone with a sibling can relate to having an unconditional love in which Chen, a 9-year-old boy, supports and protects his sister. He wants his sister to have better educational opportunities, but is powerless to combat the reality. His powerlessness makes him believe that her hardships are his fault.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Before shooting I did a lot of research and spent a lot of time with my characters. I knew the framework would be a parallel structure between two schools in the city and the countryside. I had a synopsis with a clear structure and a theme based on the research.
By the time I’m on set shooting, I know exactly what questions to ask and what coverage to get. Other than deciding on those variables, the way the story unfolded in reality turned out to be so powerful, which was nothing like I could have ever planned.
The editing process is like re-writing but the goal is to simply restore the powerful and authentic reality.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
“This documentary took me to a place I will never be.”
“This makes me cry every time I watch it.”
“You have a non-editorial point of view as a storyteller and you capture the authentic way of life simply and emotionally. “
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes, because I never thought an American audience would be able to connect to the tribulations of the people in rural China. I was also surprised about the positive reception from the Chinese audience because I am shining light on an issue that is often covered up in the mainstream media in China.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
My goal is to bring this largely unseen side of China to the mainstream culture around the world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would like to connect with distributors, film festival directors, and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like this to be the first step to improve the education and development in Chinese rural areas.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What are the possible futures for Chinese kids in who live in the countryside? Is it even possible for them to not end up like their parents who get the lowest rate and work for the development of big cities?
Would you like to add anything else?
My next documentary feature is about stories that happen in a rural Chinese catholic town that has been erased from the map and diverted from China’s communist revolutions.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Along with the documentary feature I mentioned above, I am developing a science fiction, a dystopian dark comedy that is set in a communist ruled society. I already made a short film based on this world I created, I’m looking for funding and collaborators to make the feature version of it.
Interview: May 2017
_________________________________________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________________________________________
Under The Same Sky
During the national campaign of the Chinese government on equal education, city boy Huang's life and schooling are totally different from Chen’s who lives on the countryside.
Length: 15min
Director: Yoyo Li
Producer: Liang Wong, Nicole Castillo
Writer: Yoyo Li
About the writer, director and producer: Yoyo Li obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Film Directing at the University of China and received her Masters In Film Production from Loyola Marymount University. She is an international documentary filmmaker whose films have been selected by Cannes Short Film Corner, awarded Jury Prizes, and is an esteemed Film Independent Lab Fellow. In addition to documentary filmmaking, Yoyo is also an award-winning Production Designer that enjoys to create worlds for the vision of other filmmakers.
Looking for : producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Other: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5606804/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Funders:
Made in association with: Loyola Marymount University LA
Where can I see it in the next month?
It has already played at film festivals listed below since June 2016. Hopefully will soon be released online once find the proper platform.
Won Jury award at the 9th Lady Filmmakers Festival
Award of Recognition at Los Angeles International Independent Documentary Award
Best Student Film Nomination Long Beach Indie International Film, Media and Music Festival
In Competition at 33th Asian Pacific Film Festival (Oscar Qualifying)
Officially Selected by:
Los Angeles Cineast
ArtCity Short Film Festival
Las Vegas Film Festival
2017 Cannes Short Film Corner