Private Project

Young Ghost

A 32 years old Chinese immigrant pursues his dream to be a professional rapper in Auckland despite the disagreement from his father, the differences between him and his rapper friends and his self-doubt. In order to perform at the coming Chinese mid-autumn festival, he sets out to form a team with his two other friends in Auckland, both amateur but passionate singers, and names his new band "Panda Gang". They have to go through several auditions and rehearsals before hopping on the final stage. Will they win the applause from the audience? Will Young Ghost actualize his dream?
Note: this is a rough cut and that I am working on the fine sound mix.

  • JING CHEN
    Director
  • JING CHEN
    Writer
  • Mingjian Cui
    Writer
  • JING CHEN
    Producer
  • Xiaoke Zeng
    Key Cast
    "Young Ghost"
  • Guangqiang Zeng
    Key Cast
  • Shaoping Cai
    Key Cast
  • Ryan
    Key Cast
  • Roarin
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 14, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    Chinese, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16：9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - JING CHEN

JING CHEN was born in China, a documentary filmmaker. She obtained Bachelor of Arts in Radio and TV Editing in 2015 in Shen Yang Conservatory of Music and Postgraduate Diploma of Arts in Media Film and TV in 2016 in the University of Auckland. She is the director of “To Be Or Not To Be” (2016). She is currently studying in screen production under Master of Arts in the University of Auckland.

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Director Statement

During the production of the documentary, To Be Or Not To Be (2016), which I directed and filmed, I met the Auckland based Chinese rapper Young Ghost. I wasn’t familiar with rap as I am not interested in hip-hop culture. But from the first time I met him, I knew he would be the main subject of my film. I was interested in how Young Ghost who has lived in New Zealand for more than a decade has developed his identity and his musical career. In addition to Young Ghost I met Ryan and Roarin who perform with Young Ghost in the Chinese Student Association’s Mid-Autumn Festival showcase. Both of them are interesting characters as well. The three of them have lots of in common. They are Chinese who are passionate for rap and actively participate in Auckland’s hip-hop community. More importantly, they are also different from each other. Young ghost wants to be a professional rapper despite the fact that his father is not supportive. Ryan has a baby on the way and Roarin is a university student who is doing hip-hop performance behind his parents back. All those characteristics and differences that make good subjects in the documentary.