Private Project

Flying in the Grey

Born in Hong Kong, Yuen, a girl from a single-parent family, risks smuggling goods across the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, hoping to improve living conditions. But her dreams are shattered like sparrows scattering in the wind when she faces the harsh reality of the trade...

  • YIJIAN JIANG
    Director
  • Thomas Lee
    Producer
  • YUJIE LUO
    Cinematography
  • XU CHENG
    Cinematography
  • YUJIE LUO
    Editor
  • YIJIAN JIANG
    Writer
  • Thomas Lee
    Writer
  • XU CHENG
    Writer
  • JINGCHAO ZHOU
    Writer
  • BOYAN ZHANG
    Writer
  • noki ieong
    Key Cast
    "Yuen"
  • Carmen Kong
    Key Cast
    "Lin"
  • Johnson Lao
    Key Cast
    "Keung"
  • YUJIE LUO
    1st AD
  • YUJIE LUO
    Sound
  • XU CHENG
    Sound
  • JINGCHAO ZHOU
    Script Supervisor
  • Justin Lee
    Gaffer
  • QIWEN LIU
    Art
  • ZELIN CHEN
    Art
  • BOYAN ZHANG
    Still
  • Janson Yang
    Assistant Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    麻雀
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Crime
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 9 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 13, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Macao
  • Country of Filming:
    China, Hong Kong, Macao
  • Language:
    Mandarin Chinese, Yue Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Macau University of Science and Technology
Director Biography - YIJIAN JIANG

YIJIAN JIANG is a passionate and talented filmmaker who is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Film & TV Production at Macau University of Science and Technology. He has written and directed several independent short films that showcase his unique vision and style, such as “Shadow Singer” and “Flying in the Grey”. He also contributed to the documentary “Arcade Dreamer”, which received a Special Mention Laurel at the 1 World Student Film Festival. His short film “Shadow Singer” was selected for the Short Way International Short Film Festival, and his other work “Flying in the Grey” won the Best Picture award at the second “Backflow” Film Screening Exhibition. He has also won several prizes for his creative work, including the 1st prize in "Finding the Story of the Travessa, Beco and Patio” organized by the Macau Government Tourism Office, and the third prize in the 2022 Short Film Award organized by DSEC, Macau SAR Government. He is always eager to learn new skills and explore new stories through his films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In Xiasha Village, Shenzhen, China, there is such a group of people who struggle to make a living by doing dishonorable jobs such as hair washers. They serve mainly Hong Kong businessmen who flock in from the border, looking for cheap and easy pleasures. Among those hair washers, some have given birth to children with Hong Kong businessmen, they have not received proper names or Hong Kong identities, and some have even been cruelly abandoned. Those hair washers raise their children alone, and their children need to cross the border every day to go to school, living in two cities with different cultures.
In Hong Kong and Shenzhen, there are various illegal ways to make money, such as smuggling - workers and students who smuggle various luxury goods, electronic products, etc. between Hong Kong and Shenzhen every day. Smuggling has even formed a complete industrial chain, composed of professional smugglers who form criminal groups. However, when the wrong identity, bottom family and illegal temptation collide, the dilemma and humanity shown by the necessity and helplessness are so thought-provoking and deserve to be known by more people.