Private Project

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.

  • Jamie Chi
    Director
  • Jamie Chi
    Writer
  • Jamie Chi
    Producer
  • Jamie Chi
    Key Cast
  • Hanahazukashi
    Music Composer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Experimental
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 6, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    20 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    China
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Queer Asia
    London
    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 Festival
    Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
    September 17, 2019
    Hong Kong Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 1st Philippines experimental film festival
    Manila
    Philippines
    September 24, 2019
    Philippines Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Larroque Art Festival 2019
    Larroque
    France
    July 27, 2019
    France Premiere
    Art Exhibition: 26/7-3/8/2019 http://www.galerielavieilleposte.org/id27.html
  • Festival Espacio Seis
    Panama
    Panama
    June 3, 2019
    South America Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Lanzarote Art Festival 2019
    Lanzarote
    Spain
    July 26, 2019
    Spain Premiere
    Art Exhibition: 26/7-16/8/2019 http://thelacunastudios.com/
Director Biography - Jamie Chi

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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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.