Cocoon Love

I was born in a small town in Shandong Province, China where I was raised by my grandparents. They taught me everything, holding me by the hand as I learned how to walk, how to eat with a spoon, everything. Most importantly, as I was growing up they taught me that true happiness lies in doing what one loves, encouraging me to follow my heart.

Many years later I left home to pursue my dreams, moving from one city to another, studying in China and the United States. I learned fashion design, set design for stage and screen, and even animation, always encouraged by my grandparents, whom I began to see less frequently as my travels and studies kept me far from home.

I will always regret being unable to be with my grandparents when they passed away. I would trade anything to be able to spend more time with them, telling them about all of the richness in my life and thanking them for the courage they gave me to follow my dreams and truly find myself professionally and personally.

When my grandparents' old apartment went up for sale last year, I realized that I needed to find a way to memorialize my time there. I resolved to accomplish this by setting a film in my childhood home, capturing not only the physical location but also the cherished memories.

As a teenager I was constantly in a state of confusion as I wrestled with awakening physically, emotionally, romantically. And when I realized that my romantic inclinations did not conform with the standard social norms, I found myself wrapped within secrets, which over time left me feeling isolated from even those closest to me.

I emerged from this cocoon as an adult, and never had the opportunity to share the truth about my sexual orientation with my grandparents, whom I know would have been loving an supportive.

I made this film to help young people struggling with the same issues I dealt with in my adolescence. I want them to know what I wish I had known -- that you do not have to fear being open with yourself and others, and that the people who truly hold you in their hearts will always love and accept you. And I wanted to let young people know that confusion and turmoil are a natural part of growing up as you struggle to emerge from your cocoon and spread your wings.