EMPTINESS
LEI and WONG clandestinely arrive in Ecuador. She has only one objective, to reach New York. Whereas he longs to bring his son from China. But CHANG, a bipolar mobster becomes obsessed with her and will decide their fate. When a smuggling scheme sets LEI and WONG at a crossroads, they can only rely on each other to reach their freedom.
"EMPTINESS" dives into the emotional journey of the immigrant, when hope is subject to masculine power relations and individuals struggle to save their dignity.
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Paul VenegasDirector
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Paul VenegasWriterJourney to Xanadu, Alberto Spencer, ecuatoriano de Peñarol.
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Carlos Teran VargasWriter
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Paul VenegasProducerWhen my time comes, On the line, Defensa 1464, Journey to Xanadu
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Esteban SchroederProducerMatar a todos, Selkirk, El Viñedo, Pepita La Pistolera
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Fu JingKey Cast"Lei"
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Lidan ZhuKey Cast"Wong"
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Meng Day MinKey Cast"Chang"
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Ricardo VelasteguiKey Cast"Victor"
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Project Title (Original Language):VACIO
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Project Type:Feature
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Genres:Drama, Suspense
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Runtime:1 hour 32 minutes 24 seconds
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Completion Date:January 3, 2020
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Production Budget:580,000 USD
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Country of Origin:Ecuador
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Country of Filming:Ecuador, Uruguay
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Language:Chinese, Spanish
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Shooting Format:Digital RED EPIC
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Aspect Ratio:1:85
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Busan International FIlm FestivalBusan
Korea, Republic of
October 22, 2020
World Premiere
Fast Foward -
Osaka Asian FIlm FestivalOsaka
Japan
February 18, 2021
In competition -
Chicago Latin Film FestivalCHicago
United States
March 10, 2021
North American
In competition -
BAFICIBuenos Aires
Argentina
April 14, 2021
Argentina
Best FIlm AMerican Competition -
AFI Washington Film FestivalWashigton
United States
June 24, 2021
East coast premiere
In competiton -
Cine CearaFortaleza
Brazil
November 29, 2021
Brasil
In competition -
Ottawa Latin FIlm FestivalOttawa
Canada
May 11, 2022
Canada
In competition -
Uruguay International FIlm FestivalMontevideo
Uruguay
April 21, 2022
Uruguay
Panorama -
Festival del FIn del MundoUshuaia
Argentina
May 18, 2022
IN competition -
Guayaquil International FIlm FestivalGuayaquil
Ecuador
October 29, 2020
Ecuador
Best FIlm
Distribution Information
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34TSales AgentCountry: SpainRights: All Rights
Director- Screenwriter – Producer
After almost a decade living in between Manila and Beijing while working in finance, he founded Xanadu Films in Ecuador in 2003. His filmmaking career is self-tough, evolving from the creator-screenwriter and producer of the documentary series, “Journey to Xanadu” shot in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and China, to becoming the director and screenwriter of “EMPTINESS”, premiered at BUSAN (2020) and Ecuador’s entry to the Academy Awards 2021. He has co produced with Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Germany and France the following films: “Emptiness”, “Alberto Spencer, ecuadorian of Peñarol”, “On the line”, “All about my Mate Herb”, “With the eyes wide open”, “Defensa 1464”, “When my time comes”. Presently is developing the feature, “Talking to Ourselves” and "The sound of silence" and the series "The age of ambition" and "Latin America Imaginary". In 2021 he will release CONMIGO, a performatic short story filmed during the pandemic.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Since the 80’s, a new wave of Chinese immigration has been settling all over the world. Over the last decade, many arrived in Ecuador to stay, or use it as a transit point to other destinations, like the USA. Not all migrate for economic reasons, many are sent to enlarge their communities, becoming pawns of a larger structure. Others have existential motives, such as the pressure of living in modern China, the environment or just feeling overwhelmed by its population size.
It’s within the Chinese community of Guayaquil that I cast the main characters of the film. With these natural actors, who are immigrants themselves, I explore the real emotions and experiences that give form to the film’s characters. As well as the anguish and despair of the immigrant when contemplating the uncertainty of the future.
I see EMPTINESS as a film about the subconscious in all of us, where the eyes say much more than words. An emotional trip of a woman struggling to overcome a corrupted male dominated society. I am interested to see how the viewer will perceive our main character, LEI. A woman that unwillingly is forced to use her charms and beauty to realize her independence? Or, a manipulative vile person who will do anything to achieve her objectives? While there is also a chauvinistic male that, despite his power, is a lonely soul. Their condition will challenge the audience to explore the limits of their own empathy.
The identity of the film will vary depending on the audience, inside and outside of China, and that is my biggest challenge as a director. I want to believe that my film does not go and cannot be understood in one way, perhaps therein lies the most interesting character of EMPTINESS.