Holding Breath
Director：Jiaxi Ye
Screenwriter：Jiaxi Ye
Cast：Bingxin Tang, Doudou Xu
Producer：Jiaxi Ye
Cinematographer：Zhihao Zhang
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Language：Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese
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SYNOPSIS
Xin, a high school sophomore about to turn 16, is used to doing what everyone around her does—studying hard, never talking back to her parents or teachers. But she doesn’t know why she do these things. Deep inside, she harbors many unanswered doubts. Chen Xu, a newly transferred English teacher from another province, shares her overseas study experiences in class, winning the students’ admiration. As usual Xin quietly awaits her birthday. Yet just as the day approaches, she is suddenly no longer allowed into the school pool. One day after school, she witnesses her father moving out the inventory from her mother’s clothing store. Then, one afternoon, she discovers another side of Teacher Chen. Xin can no longer ignore the questions. She resolves to seek answers. She refuses to just sit and wait. She will become braver—starting with celebrating a special sixteenth birthday.
Director Biography
Jiaxi was born in 2002 and raised in Guangdong, China. After earning a bachelor’s degree in television journalism, she turned to filmmaking to express her observations of the world around her. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Film Directing at the California Institute of the Arts.
Director's Statement
My university life during the pandemic brought much disappointment and confusion to me and my friends. Amidst this, I met two female teachers who held on to their principles and pursuits. I felt immense love radiating from them, and I eagerly embraced every ounce of it. As graduation approached, I reflected on my years as a student and realized how lucky I was to have encountered inspiring female teachers at every stage. They lit small lights for me—and for all of us—in the fog. This led me to create “Holding Breath”, a story about a female student and her female teacher—about how the student keeps walking forward with the glimmer of the light from the teacher.
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