Dongnan Chen’s anticipated second feature film, Whispers in May, is set to make its world premiere on March 15 in the prestigious main DOX:Award competition at CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival. The film offers an intimate exploration of the ephemeral period between childhood’s freedom and the onset of societal expectations, focusing on three young Chinese girls navigating a pivotal transition in their lives. Described as a "time capsule," the documentary-fiction hybrid clings to the final moments of innocence before the complexities of adulthood take hold.
A Glimpse into a Shifting Reality
The narrative centers on Qihuo, a 14-year-old girl whose first menstruation heralds an impending traditional coming-of-age ritual known as the "Changing Skirt" ceremony. This ceremony signifies her transition from child to woman, marking her as "bound to the communal demands of marriage and labor," according to the film’s synopsis. With her parents absent as migrant laborers and her grandfather recently deceased, Qihuo, accompanied by her two closest friends, embarks on a poignant road trip. Their journey is undertaken to procure a suitable skirt for the ritual, a quest that weaves through landscapes of natural beauty, interspersed with candid discussions about their hopes, fears, and the tender, fleeting moments of their shared youth.
Chen, known for her acclaimed work such as Singing in the Wilderness and shorts like 14 Paintings and The Trail from Xinjiang, masterfully blends raw documentary footage with an improvised fictional storyline. This distinctive approach allows her to construct a world for the girls that seemingly exists beyond conventional social norms, offering a sanctuary where their authentic selves can emerge. The film’s artistic design aims to capture an unfiltered reality, presenting the girls’ joys and sorrows without the imposition of external judgment or definition.
Inspiration from a Single Line
The genesis of Whispers in May originated from an unexpected encounter in Liangshan. Director Dongnan Chen initially had no plans for a film project during her visit until a local teacher shared writings from her students. One particular line resonated deeply with Chen: "I’ve made many wishes, but none has ever come true." This poignant sentiment led Chen to meet its author, Qihuo. At 14, Qihuo stood at a precipice, her childhood on the verge of fading as the world prepared to define her as a woman, a wife, and a migrant worker—roles that threatened to eclipse her personal aspirations.
This encounter became the driving force behind Chen’s vision. She sought to create an "alternative narrative," a dream that would run parallel to Qihuo’s real life, allowing the girls to explore possibilities they might not otherwise experience. The film blossomed from a close collaboration and extensive improvisation with the young protagonists, crafting a space where they could simply "be," navigating life’s complexities, suspended between stark reality and a self-created tale.
The Universal Language of Coming-of-Age
Whispers in May taps into a universally understood theme: the transition from girlhood to womanhood. However, it grounds this universal experience within a specific cultural context, shedding light on the "Changing Skirt" ceremony. This traditional ritual, while deeply personal for Qihuo, also symbolizes the broader societal expectations placed upon young women in many cultures, particularly those in rural or traditional communities. The film subtly questions the timing and implications of such rites of passage, especially when they dictate a path before an individual has had the chance to choose her own.
Producer Jia Zhao of Muyi Film, co-producing with Chen’s Tail Bite Tail Films, Malin Hüber for Her Film in Sweden, and Heejung Oh for Seesaw Pictures in South Korea, highlighted Chen’s dedication to this delicate transformation. Zhao emphasized the film’s ability to weave "fleeting, almost ungraspable moments of youth" around the pivotal experience of a first menstruation, a transition both deeply personal and globally resonant. Indox, led by Luke Brawley, is handling the film’s festival distribution, aiming to bring this unique narrative to international audiences.
Challenges and Artistic Vision in Chinese Independent Cinema
Zhao also underscored the courageous vision inherent in Whispers in May, particularly as it emerges from an independent woman director in China. She noted that making independent documentary films in China remains a precarious endeavor, making Chen’s achievement even more significant. As a European-Chinese producer, Zhao expressed a strong commitment to amplifying such bold, artistically-driven stories across international borders, recognizing their power to foster cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.
The film’s blend of documentary and fiction is not merely an aesthetic choice but a narrative strategy. It allows Chen to explore the psychological and emotional landscapes of her subjects more deeply, blurring the lines between what is observed and what is imagined. This approach creates a rich tapestry that reflects the girls’ internal worlds as much as their external journey, offering a nuanced perspective on their nascent identities and burgeoning self-awareness.
Broader Implications and Cultural Impact
Whispers in May contributes significantly to the global conversation surrounding gender, tradition, and modernity. By focusing on the lives of three young girls in rural China, the film provides a micro-level perspective on macro-level issues. It invites viewers to consider the pressures faced by adolescents as they navigate cultural expectations, familial responsibilities, and their personal desires for autonomy. The road trip itself becomes a metaphor for this journey of self-discovery, filled with both external landscapes and internal revelations.
The film’s premiere at CPH:DOX, a leading international documentary film festival, positions it within a critical platform for engaging with pressing global issues through the art of cinema. Such festivals play a crucial role in showcasing diverse voices and narratives, particularly those from regions where independent filmmaking faces substantial challenges. The exposure at CPH:DOX will allow Whispers in May to reach a broad international audience, sparking discussions and fostering empathy across cultural divides.
An Invitation to Reflect
The release of an exclusive trailer for Whispers in May offers a compelling preview of the film’s evocative imagery and poignant themes. The visuals capture the natural beauty of the Chinese landscape, juxtaposed with the intimate moments shared by the girls. One particularly resonant line from the trailer poses a fundamental question: "Do you want to grow up?" This query encapsulates the film’s core dilemma, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences of transition and the societal forces that shape individual destinies.
Ultimately, Whispers in May is an invitation to cinematically run away with these girls, to witness their journey of self-discovery, and to ponder the universal questions of identity and belonging. It is a testament to the power of film to create spaces for imagination and freedom, even when confronting the stark realities of life. The film promises to be a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience, capturing the essence of a fleeting, yet profoundly significant, moment in life.
