Still Here

Still Here, Still There delves deeply into the emotional and complex journey of my aunt Zhu Fang, a Chinese woman in her 50s who has made the significant and often daunting decision to move to the United States alone. This move is not merely a change of scenery; it is driven by her fervent desire to achieve her own version of the elusive “American Dream.” This aspiration, however, is not new to her; it is a dream that has been postponed for an entire 30 years, held back by the weight of familial obligations and societal expectations that have long defined her existence in China. As she navigates this new chapter of her life, she faces numerous challenges, particularly in maintaining the emotional and physical connections with her family back home. The distance creates a palpable tension, highlighting the sacrifices she has made in pursuit of a dream that often feels designed for others, rather than for herself.

Her relentless pursuit reveals the profound contradictions that exist between personal freedom, the sense of duty to her family, and the struggle for a cohesive identity in a world that frequently demands she choose one over the other. Through my interactions and the deepening connection I share with her, I reflect on my own journey in the realm of documentary filmmaking.

This narrative is not solely about Zhu Fang; it serves as a broader contemplation on generational expectations, the feeling of cultural displacement that many immigrants experience, and the intricate balance between sacrifice and obsession that can accompany the pursuit of one's dreams. It invites viewers to consider the emotional costs of such aspirations and the ways in which they can reshape not only individual lives but also familial relationships and cultural identities.

The film aims to weave together these themes, offering a layered exploration of what it means to chase a dream that is both liberating and confining, illuminating the complexities of the immigrant experience and the universal search for belonging.

Xinran “Wendy” Tong is a talented Chinese documentary filmmaker and multimedia artist currently residing in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. As a second-year MFA candidate specializing in Documentary Directing at UCLA, her artistic work is deeply rooted in themes of family dynamics, the intricate nature of memory, gender issues, and the multifaceted concept of transnational identity. Her films are characterized by a unique blend of vérité storytelling techniques and experimental, interactive media, allowing her to engage audiences in innovative ways.

She is particularly interested in exploring how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, can be harnessed to expand the language of documentary filmmaking and challenge traditional modes of representation. This exploration is evident in her recent projects, which include Touch Me, Please!, a hybrid short film that addresses the complex intersections of disability and sexuality, and Still Here, Still There, which serves as a poignant personal reflection on migration, the misunderstandings that can arise between generations, and the profound meaning of freedom in an increasingly interconnected world. Through her work, Wendy seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the human experience, inviting viewers to engage with the stories of those who navigate the complexities of identity and belonging in a rapidly changing global landscape.