A young girl from China living in a quaint fishing village in Wales dismisses the fairy tales shared by her mother, only to find herself caught up in a remarkable incident in the short film "Under the Wave off Little Dragon." This delightful piece, directed by Luo Jian, is part of the prestigious 69th edition of the BFI London Film Festival (LFF).
Running for 14 minutes, this charming short film is a multilingual creation, incorporating Mandarin, English, and Welsh. It is featured in a collection of films under the theme "Discovering Home" at the festival. The film's synopsis states: "A Chinese girl growing up in a Welsh fishing village rejects her mother’s folklore until she experiences one magical encounter." Kexin Wang portrays the inquisitive lead character, FeiFei, alongside a talented cast that includes Ah Mui Lau, Jessica Dong, Stevee Davies, Rhys Meredith, Ross Foley, and Lee Mengo.
"Under the Wave off Little Dragon" stands out as one of four short films created under the Film4 banner at the LFF. It received backing from Future Takes, an initiative developed by the British Film Institute (BFI) and Channel 4’s Film4, which focuses on nurturing filmmakers throughout the creative process. Once these films reach completion, they enjoy a screening at a special showcase before being made accessible for online viewing via Channel 4 platforms and BFI Player.
In an engaging discussion with THR, Jian elaborates on how her personal experiences inspired the film, her young star's captivating performance, and her future projects.
When asked about the inspiration behind her film, Jian shared a heartfelt recollection of moving from the U.S. to the U.K. three years ago. She vividly recalled that initial loneliness she felt, having relocated during a particularly dreary January—a stark contrast to her previous life in vibrant New York City. During a family trip to Wales with her Welsh partner, Jian felt an unexpected sense of comfort, reminiscent of her hometown in the greener regions of the Gobi Desert in China. "This unusually lush landscape, teeming with sheep, brought back a wave of nostalgia," Jian reflected, noting how she observed subtle connections to her heritage throughout Wales.
Beyond the verdant scenery, Jian also pointed out amusing interactions she had regarding the symbolic representations within Welsh culture. "I noticed the Welsh dragon statues adorning people's homes, which sparked playful debates with my boyfriend about their origins. I jokingly insisted that this was a likeness of the Chinese dragon, to which he fervently countered, pointing out that the Welsh dragon held historical precedence."
Jian went on to discuss her journey of casting the young star of the film. "By the time we discovered her, she was just seven years old and had no prior acting experience," Jian explained. "Thanks to a brilliant casting director, we were able to find numerous children, many of whom brought their families to the auditions. We were particularly attentive to how these kids interacted with their parents. I believe using real, relatable people makes for a more impactful story."
Upon meeting the selected girl for the role, Jian noted her seriousness and determined demeanor, a rarity among her peers. As Jian got to know the young actress, she realized this was simply a charming way of masking her nerves. "There was a delightful contrast in seeing this child approach her role with such gravity, along with her mother, who was phenomenal at improvising scenes with her," Jian remarked.
Interestingly, Jian later discovered that the actress and her mother operated a restaurant near Heathrow, though they had initially kept this as a surprise during auditions.
The casting process wrapped up quickly, just a day prior, leading Jian to contemplate the film's thematic focus. "As I worked on the film, I began reflecting on the sense of belonging in unfamiliar surroundings. Initially, my script mirrored my own immigrant experience, brimming with feelings of isolation. However, once I cast a child fluent in English yet speaking Chinese at home, the story shifted to explore the life of a second-generation immigrant rather than a newborn one."
The interplay between FeiFei and her first-generation immigrant mother introduces a key narrative layer, prompting viewers to reflect on cultural transmission across generations. Jian explains, "While we hear enchanting stories from our parents’ roots, they become our only connection to cultures we haven't experienced firsthand—infusing a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world beyond our immediate grasp."
The film also incorporates rich symbolism through its motifs of fish and dragons. Jian elaborated on the importance of these symbols in Chinese culture, likening them to narratives in Western traditions. "While I may not have intricate knowledge of Chinese religious beliefs, I am aware that fish have significant meanings woven into our cultural stories. There's a belief that through determination, a fish can ascend to become a dragon, a powerful metaphor encouraging us to strive for a better existence."
Conversely, Jian openly reveals her skepticism towards such folklore. "I personally don’t subscribe to tales like these, as they do not inspire me. That sentiment, however, is woven into the film, showcasing FeiFei’s skepticism toward her mother’s fish-and-dragon anecdotes, although she may find them intriguing."
When asked about her future endeavors, Jian shared her ongoing development of several feature ideas, though she humbly admits that she is not a swift writer, often taking time to transition from one project to the next.
For more insights into LFF 2025 shorts, check out:
- Aidan Gillen’s portrayal of a conflicted 1980s pop star in Kathryn Ferguson's "Nostalgie" (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/aidan-gillen-kathryn-ferguson-short-film-nostalgie-2025-lff-1236400068/).
- Filmmaker Mac Nixon's ambition to reshape perceptions of Welsh identity through "Flock" (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lff-2025-flock-short-film-sheep-mac-nixon-reframe-wales-1236396783/).
- Luís Hindman’s exploration of South Asian masculinity in "Magid/Zafar" (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lff-2025-magid-zafar-short-film-south-asian-masculinity-1236395717/).
In this captivating blend of culture, identity, and the magic of storytelling, are we missing deeper layers of understanding between generations, particularly in the context of immigrant experiences? What role do you believe folklore plays in shaping our identities? Join the conversation in the comments below!
