The magical quality of film is that it allows us to share in the experiences of others. Whether that be joyous or heartbreaking, it can inspire community and understanding. For those creating these productions, these qualities are synonymous. Producer Robin Wang shared in his friend and director Kay Niuyue Zhang’s vision of the film Mother in the Mist, using his skill to support her creative vision. This immensely powerful tale garnered a host of awards including (among others) Best Indie Short and Best Woman Filmmaker at the annual Indie Short Fest, semi-finalist at the 58th Golden Horse Awards (Oscar qualifying, the most prestigious award in Chinese language cinema), and the Jury Award at the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the 75th Cannes Film Festival Village International. Mother in the Mist is the story of a parent and child but it’s impossible to not see this as a story from a female point of view. Infused with the love and experience that can only truly exist between a mother and daughter who will share a perspective on a global tragedy, Robin Wang’s contributions to the tone of this film declare that an empathetic artist can elevate a message regardless of any labels or categories.
Mother in the Mist is a very specific perspective on a worldwide event. Perhaps accurately labeled as a road movie, this film is rooted in the bond between Zhao and Snowie (daughter and mother). During the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, these two face the most frightening of realities with only each other to rely on. The fact that the experience of these characters is a reflection of actual circumstances makes the story compelling, painful, and eerily familiar. The powerful message of this film is that we can achieve great things through unselfish love. When that final day comes as it will for all of us, we will remember those who did the most and sacrificed to care for us.
Authenticity was paramount for the creators of Mother in the Mist. Producer Robin Wang communicates the importance of this stating, “The ‘Chinese-ness’ of this film is embodied in every nut and bolt, every single frame, every sound we hear, and every bit of dialogue. Mother in the Mist is a story in a very specific Chinese setting but with a very universal underlying message about a mother’s love. As our cinematographer, Jiang Du commented, ‘Even the skies in China look so different from LA.’ The image texture, the natural environment, and the Wuhan-based cast and crew are all keys to making the story world in our film unique and authentic. The location where we filmed the farewell scene at the end, called Liangzi Lake in Wuhan, is surrounded by natural fog in the early morning. When filming on location in Wuhan, we took advantage of the local weather and natural environment to add an authentic layer of spiritual quality to the movie’s finale.”
The importance of what films can achieve in the minds and hearts of the public is often spoken about. In the rarest of circumstances, it can achieve something extraordinary both on and off camera. By filming in Wuhan with a local cast and crew, organizing large crowd scenes, and telling this story, Producer Robin Wang, Director Niuyue Kay Zhang, and their team have brought greater humanity to the people of this area. Mr. Wang professes, “Producing is the art of sharing stories with humans, both on screen and behind the screen. When we approached prospective location owners in the village and told them about the film that we were making, many were wonderfully intrigued and offered their houses at low or no cost simply because the Wuhan people resonate deeply with a story set in their hometown against a not-so-distant lockdown. We told a story that the world needs to hear. We worked with a creative team based in Wuhan, shot on location in Wuhan, to explore the most basic and universal human emotions – a mother’s love for her daughter – against a snowballing disaster and its consequences that everyone in the world can relate to. We made this film as the world was still in the middle of the pandemic, when prejudice against the city and people of Wuhan still dominated much of mainstream western media. In the most authentic and sincere manner, this film depicts the most ordinary people who suffered and sacrificed in the face of an epic disaster. They are mothers, daughters, and humans, like any one of us, who share the most basic and universal instincts to protect their loved ones. The nobility that resides in these ordinary struggles is the most powerful empathy machine against any political and racial bias. At a time when Asian/ Asian Americans were vilified more than ever, we are especially gratified by the universal acclaim this film has received and continue to hope that specific, authentic stories like this can do society a great deal of good.”
Mother in the Mist has received unanimous praise and garnered awards from the Rome Prisma Independent Film Awards, Indie Short Fest, Next Generation Indie Film Awards, USA Film Festival, Tallin Black Nights Film Festival (FIAPF accredited, Oscar-qualifying), San Diego International Film Festival. and others.
Writer: Coleman Haan