A Thousand Nights (36m)
Synopsis:
This short film takes place in the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, New York City, as the Chinese international student and the illegal immigrant masseur from China engage in a moving dialogue. The short film captures the Chinese student’s point of view as they grapple with the internal conflicts of trying to adapt to life in a new place, and the dialogue between the student and the worker reveals the sacrifices the Chinese worker is making in order to survive by working abroad. As the two conversed, the unique perspectives of two immigrant groups living in the same environment became apparent.
Project overview:
Xiaoyu Yang's first medium length fiction short film, A Thousand Nights, marked the first time she had ever led a large, mostly Asian crew. This was the first time she met the talented cinematographer Lee C Zhang, who later became her long-time collaborator. The story was revealed in Chinatown, and the major scenes all occurred during the night, making this venture difficult. In order to finish the movie within a restricted budget, Xiaoyu Yang and her team recruited more than 20 people for the first time. This film was given the stamp of approval by several high-regarded film festivals and brought her recognition within the New York Asian filmmaker circle. From that point on, Xiaoyu Yang initiated her pursuit of an MFA in filmmaking at CCNY.
Still Photos and Behind the Scenes
