Private Project

End of Summer

On the first day of summer, Grandma passes from cancer. However, her grandson can see and interact with her ghost. While his mother suppresses her grief to protect her son as they prepare for grandma's funeral, the boy worries that her ceremony falls on the last day of summer - the day Chinese tradition believes the souls of the departed leave this world. The boy fears his grandmother's spirit will disappear. As mother and son prepare for this final threshold ritual through seemingly small, calm daily routines, their hearts are ripe with longing, worry and bittersweet sadness.

  • Weiqi Cai
    Director
  • Weiqi Cai
    Writer
  • Yilin Xing
    Producer
  • Yi Liu
    Key Cast
  • Aiden Li
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Mystery
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 26, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    18,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Mandarin Chinese
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah Collage of Art and Design
Director Biography - Weiqi Cai

Weiqi Cai graduated from Beijing Forestry University with a degree in animation and then studied in the directing department of the Film Academy. He then studied Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design. He is an independent film director and screenwriter from China. His works are strong in style and cover various subjects and genres. He specializes in highly cinematic visual narratives. Creativity and breakthroughs are the most essential characteristics of his works. He has also been selected for various international film festivals and has won awards.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My grandmother passed away last summer, leaving all family members in intense sadness. My grandmother's passing also made me think about those summers at my grandmother's house. It seemed to me that Grandma never left, and it was as if the people who had passed away would never really go. They continue to live in our lives in some particular form as we grow up. Whenever that summer comes back, we will see each other again.