Synopsis

This is the urban-nautical tale of three young people. After experiencing romantic setbacks, actress Jia returns to her hometown to reunite with her two best friends. The comfort and familiarity at home allow Jia to breathe and pause from the hectic life of the city. Meanwhile, the Fish Monster begins its mission to capture humans who don't feed fish. In the pond-like hometown, unspoken declarations drift upon the surface......

Curators’ note

This film is a "subaquatic fable" about youth. Jia Jia (played by Chen Yusha), a struggling actress in Beijing, loses both her job and relationship, prompting her return to her hometown for a brief reunion with two old friends. The film uses the pressure of the underwater world as a metaphor to depict the confusion and struggles of adolescence, much like a deep dive into the unknown. Through a blend of visuals and sound design, it crafts a low, tense atmosphere where emotions feel submerged, restrained, and awaiting release. The three characters drift like lives underwater, searching for direction amidst chaos—bearing the turbulence of the current while yearning for the light ahead. In the final scene, as they gaze at the river, the weight of their emotions gradually dissipates, giving way to a glimmer of hope. It is a poignant and poetic portrayal of contemporary youth. (Ouyang wenzheng)

Director’s bio

Yusha Chen was born in 1996 in Sichuan, China, the hometown of pandas. As an actor/writer/director, a three-in-one, she likes to fantasize and observe relationships between people. Her graduation short film, The Woman（2017）, was nominated for the Chengdu Short Film Festival Competition and won the Guangzhou Zurongcun Best Actress Award as well as being nominated for Best Director. She also received a prize of 10,000 RMB and put the prize money into filmmaking after graduation. This was the experience that inspired her to make her first feature film.

Director‘s statement

I aim to portray the emotions I've observed and explore the "possibilities" of combining different elements. I attempt to depict a modern urban legend. Prevalently among my generation, there's a trend of verbally giving up, but the body is still striving. They may seem carefree, but their inner turmoil remains. The protagonist of the film embodies this characteristic. In the film, the Fish Monster Crew's task is to capture humans who don't feed fish, while the protagonist's life repeatedly emphasizes the act of "feeding fish." In reality, feeding fish represents a sense of "satiety," "fulfillment," and "care," yet it is often overlooked in daily life. The hope is that the film can convey warmth and encourage everyone to take good care of their inner selves. I was born in a small city, but I've realized that the Internet has bridged the gap between young people. The lifestyle and fashion of the youth here resemble those of the big cities. During the filming process, I chose to incorporate local dialect for a "de-urbanization" approach. And the relationship between the three main characters does not follow "the three-way love triangle" troupe. The casting also leans towards gender neutrality. The narrative voice maintains a conventional style but doesn't shy away from experimental elements. Additionally, I combine animation to express more abstract emotions. In conclusion, I want to express emotions and exude energy through the medium of this urban fable-like story, hoping it will resonate with people.

Festival & Awards

Nominated for the 2024FIRST FRAME

Nominated for the 2022 Far East Film Festival(WIP)

Nominated for the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum - HAF20(WIP)

Nominated for the FIRST INDUSTRY SCREENING OFFICIAL SELECTION- FIRST2022(WIP)

Casts

Yusha Chen, Yi Yang, Zhu Guo

Credits

Scriptwriter: Yusha Chen

Cinematographer: Zongjian Hou

Music: Chao Hu, Hualun Band

Production Designer: Hou Zongjian

Editor: Yang Yang