Justice for Maya
After documenting a photographic series of birds trapped in reed cages in the Philippines, Jamie Chi began relating these images to the communal “cages” that affect LGBTQ+ societies in Asia. The 3 minutes stop-motion animation is made from more than 1000 film stills and depicts Maya. Maya used to be the national bird of the Philippines and is 1 of more than 130 bird species that are known to engage in homosexual behaviour. Maya is equated to a bird trapped in a cage, as well as within a larger social system. The film explores Maya’s strength to fight for their right and claim their space.
The film attempts to raise awareness of social repression faced by the queer community. It is also designed for expanded cinema.
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Jamie ChiDirector
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Jamie ChiWriter
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Jamie ChiProducer
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Jamie ChiKey Cast
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HanahazukashiMusic Composer
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Project Type:Animation, Experimental, Short, Other
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Genres:Experimental
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Runtime:3 minutes 3 seconds
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Completion Date:April 6, 2019
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Production Budget:20 EUR
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Country of Origin:China
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Country of Filming:Philippines
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes
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Queer AsiaLondon
United Kingdom
July 13, 2019
World Premiere
Official Selection for British Museum art exhibition: interactive video art installation (https://queerasia.com/) -
30th Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film FestivalHong Kong
Hong Kong
September 17, 2019
Hong Kong Premiere
Official Selection -
1st Philippines experimental film festivalManila
Philippines
September 24, 2019
Philippines Premiere
Official Selection -
Larroque Art Festival 2019Larroque
France
July 27, 2019
France Premiere
Art Exhibition: 26/7-3/8/2019 http://www.galerielavieilleposte.org/id27.html -
Festival Espacio SeisPanama
Panama
June 3, 2019
South America Premiere
Official Selection -
Lanzarote Art Festival 2019Lanzarote
Spain
July 26, 2019
Spain Premiere
Art Exhibition: 26/7-16/8/2019 http://thelacunastudios.com/
Justice for Maya is a short experimental film conceptualised, filmed and produced solely by Jamie Chi, a Hong Kong Filipino artist who has recently begun delving into experimental cinema at the University of the Philippines after her previous experience working as a stunt and interpretor for the American television series Into the Badlands.
After receiving an MA in comparative cultural studies at Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France, Chi advocated for Asian LGBTQ rights, in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Dublin.
This project, which began with several pictures of birds trapped in cages inspired Chi to recognize many cages which constrict the ability that many people feel constrained by on a daily basis.
Chi wants her audience to look at themselves because we all as human have our own cages and we all have to find the inner strength to break through from them. Justice for Maya is not just about her fight, it is also about your fight.