In the summer of 2017, while scouting locations for a short film at the middle school attached to the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, I met a group of students who had studied Peking opera since childhood and was gradually drawn into their stories. They share what all teenagers share: pressure from school and family, an uncertain future and feelings with nowhere to go. But they also differ from most ordinary students. From a young age, in old teaching buildings, they practise an ancient art in a traditional way. In a fast-developing modern society, they carry a particular classical air. I wanted to record their stories, and I want audiences to find something of themselves in these young people.
Fifteen-year-old Sun Xiaolei comes from a family of Peking opera performers. From childhood, his father, who has high hopes for him, has made him train in laosheng (older male) roles. The Little Seedling Award competition this summer is his chance to make his name, but his coming voice change makes him deeply anxious. While preparing for the competition, Xiaolei unexpectedly becomes friends with his two rivals: Shi Jiahui, a tomboyish girl who plays laosheng roles, and Xie Tianci, a cynical second-generation Peking opera star. They support each other all the way from the qualifiers to the finals, but at the same time, adolescent anxiety, confusion about gender identity and pressure from the adult world keep testing the three friends.
Release Date:
August 24, 2024 (Chinese Mainland)Selection Year and Section:
2021 Main Project Section, Top 30Genre:
Coming-of-age, MusicDirector:
Zhang YudiScreenwriter:
Huo Xueying | Zhang YudiCast:
Bian Cheng | Zhou Meijun | Zhang Chi | Chen Shaoxi | Xu ShixinProducer:
Yue Yang | Lei Zehua | Wu Tingting | Mei Qiaochu | Wang LukaExecutive Producer:
Chen Lizhi | Yan YuProduction Company:
Beijing Mighty Culture Development Co., Ltd.2024, 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, Belt and Road Film Week: Audience Favourite Film / 2024, 18th FIRST International Film Festival: Best Screenplay / 2024, 18th FIRST International Film Festival, Main Competition: Best Feature Film (Selected)
Zhang Yudi: independent director, born in Beijing. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Fudan University and a master's degree in film and television production from the University of Southern California. The short film Voice Breaking received a Special Jury Recommendation at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and was selected for the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Cork International Film Festival and the Hangzhou Youth Film Program.
Huo Xueying: graduated from Fudan University and the University of Bristol. The short film Voice Breaking, from Huo's screenplay, received a Special Jury Recommendation at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and was selected for the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Cork International Film Festival in Ireland and the Hangzhou Youth Film Program. Member of the UK-China Opera Society and an amateur Peking opera performer. Zhang Yudi: independent director, born in Beijing. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Fudan University and a master's degree in film and television production from the University of Southern California. The short film Voice Breaking received a Special Jury Recommendation at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and was selected for the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Cork International Film Festival and the Hangzhou Youth Film Program.
Mei Qiaochu: graduated in film and television producing from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Has worked in the film development departments of Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, the BBC international script development department, iQIYI and Huaxia Film Distribution Co., Ltd., and is now an independent producer. Wang Luka: master's degree in creative producing from Columbia University and bachelor's degree from the Communication University of China. Has worked at Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation and in the festival department of the Hainan Island International Film Festival. Producer of Hair Tie, Egg, Homework Book, selected for the short film competition of the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
Beijing Mighty Culture Development Co., Ltd.: an entertainment company working in the development, investment and production of film and television projects and in talent management. It is known in the industry and has pioneered approaches to film marketing. It has also developed film and television projects: the TV series Remembrance of Things Past, which it led, was well received, and its upcoming films B for Busy and The Final Truth have attracted wide attention.
From childhood, fifteen-year-old Sun Xiaolei has been made by his father to train in laosheng (older male) roles. The Little Seedling Award, a national youth Peking opera competition held this summer, is his chance to make his name, but his coming voice change makes him deeply anxious.