Little Dragon (New Zealand)
Director: Rachel Douglas
Producer: Michelle Turner
Production: Shadow Film Ltd
Screenplay: Lynda Chanwai-Earle
Genre: Drama Shooting Material: 35mm Length:95 min
Stage of script: Draft
Language: English, Chinese Mandarin
Production Budget: 4,000,000 USD
Finance in place: New Zealand Film Commission development funding
Business Partner involved: New Zealand Film Commission
Seeking: Co-investor, Territory Buyer
Synopsis:
Shanghai is home to ten year old Jinliang Ye and her hard working parents who dream of owning their own restaurant and bringing up their only child in a new world. Lured over to New Zealand by an Uncle, the Ye family take over his restaurant in the roughest part of Wellington. Struggling to keep the business afloat and set-up to take the blame by their crooked Uncle, Mr. Ye is mistakenly arrested and jailed for abalone smuggling. Alienated, Jinliang immerses herself in her fantasy art world. Tortured by class bullies at her new primary school, Jinliang befriends fat, Pacific Islander and diabetic Apii–and magic happens. Together Jinliang and her girlfriend hatch a plan to turn the tables on their tormentors and free her father from prison: a plan that inevitably involves the entire local community, the Police, food, friendship by fire and a little practical 'Jinliang' magic.
Director's statement:
Little Dragon is a universal story told with humour and energy, it's a story for all of us - children and adults. The appeal of Little Dragon rests primarily with the cast of children. In the lead character of Jingliang I immediately see a fierce, tenacious child, her chin jutted out to take on everything her new life in New Zealand throws at her. This is a story that reminds me of the inherent human need to find one's place in the world and the need to connect with one another. It is a vision of cultures embracing difference and finding a way forward. We would all do well to learn from these small children and their childish ability to see magic in the hardest places.
Director's Biography:
Rachel Douglas has spent her entire working life in film. While studying for a Bachelor of Arts with a Theatre/Film major from Victoria University, Douglas freelanced as a camera assistant for many of New Zealand's finest directors and Cinematographers. Her masters degree in Creative Writing – screenwriting was completed in 2003. Douglas has made a number of short films and her debut feature. Blessed had its international premiere at the 2002 Venice Film Festival.
Production Company:
Shadow Film Ltd.
Shadow Films is a New Zealand based company that was established in 2004. Co-owned by producer Michelle Turner and director Rachel Douglas, the company is producing independent feature films and documentaries. They have been in the film and television industry for fifteen years working on a range of productions which have had international and national success in festivals world wide.
Contact:
Shadow Film Ltd
Add: P.O. Box 6037, Wellington, New Zealand
Postcode: 6141
Tel: 644 384 6385
Fax: 644 384 6387
Email: turnermich@hotmail.com
