Discovering Home: Exploring Chinese Folklore in 'Under the Wave off Little Dragon
A young girl interacts with her mother in a Chinese restaurant in the short film "Under the Wave off Little Dragon" by Luo Jian, showcased at the 69th BFI London Film Festival. The film, part of the "Discovering Home" collection, follows a Chinese girl in a Welsh fishing village who discovers the magic of her mother's folklore. The cast includes Kexin Wang, Ah Mui Lau, Jessica Dong, Stevee Davies, Rhys Meredith, Ross Foley, and Lee Mengo.
"Under the Wave off Little Dragon" is one of the four Film4 shorts at the LFF, supported by Future Takes, a collaboration between BFI and Channel 4's Film4. The film was inspired by Jian's personal experiences and features a young standout lead. The completed films are showcased and made available for streaming on Channel 4 platforms and the BFI Player.
Jian's idea for the film stemmed from her move to the U.K. from the U.S. and her experiences in Wales. The lush green landscapes and cultural similarities between Wales and China influenced the film's narrative. The charismatic young star of the film was discovered through casting, emphasizing natural interactions and real people in the production.
The casting process led to a shift in the film's themes, focusing on second-generation immigrant experiences rather than first-generation. The dynamic between FeiFei and her first-generation immigrant mother plays a central role in the story. Symbolism of fish and dragons in Chinese culture is explored in the film, highlighting themes of striving for a better life.
Jian is contemplating future projects, with a few feature ideas in mind. While not a fast writer, she takes time to develop her concepts thoroughly. For more coverage of LFF 2025 shorts, explore other films like "Nostalgie" by Kathryn Ferguson, "Flock" by Mac Nixon, and "Magid / Zafar" by Luís Hindman.