Private Project

Persona

In a city, eight strangers with different backgrounds, life, and experiences are all seen wearing a similar style of mask. Like many others, they all use masks to present a curated version of themselves, becoming accustomed to maintaining this reality of constant disguise. Afraid of their flaws and imperfections, they conceal themselves underneath a layer of idealism. As a result, they are the perfect representation of ordinary citizens in public, never allowing their secrets to seep through the cracks. Only in private do they show their insecurities, rage, jealousy, and other flaws. In a turn of events, they encounter a situation where they have to decide between revealing their deepest secrets for the sake of others. A choice is made after a conflicted battle within themselves. When they finally dropped their masks, they came to realize that they found their own salvation through this act of kindness.

  • Hongjin Chen
    Director
  • Hongjin Chen
    Writer
  • Tianqi Chen
    Director of Photography
  • Jason Luo
    Director of Photography
  • Scott Yan
    Director of Photography
  • Jamie Chen
    Production Design
  • KE Zhang
    Production Design
  • Jason Luo
    Editor
  • Tianqi Chen
    Sound Recordist
  • Canaan Wang
    Compose
  • Jason Luo
    Sound Designer
  • Jason Luo
    Technical Director
  • Cici Liu
    Title designer
  • Roger Hong
    Grip
  • Cici Liu
    Grip
  • Roger Hong
    Key Cast
  • Sukia Zhang
    Key Cast
  • Tony Wei
    Key Cast
  • Zhouqian Jiang
    Key Cast
  • Anko Chang
    Key Cast
  • Wenshi Wang
    Key Cast
  • Linghui Yu
    Key Cast
  • Scott Yan
    Key Cast
  • Cici Liu
    Storyboard Artist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    人之初
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Feature, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    25 minutes 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 12, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Chinese, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35 : 1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Director Biography - Hongjin Chen

Hongjin Chen is a third-year student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Majored in film making and directing, and other art fields involved include photography, painting, sculpture, fiber, and art therapy. Most of her works are presented in different ways to reflect various social issues. She believes that every artwork needs to be thought-provoking, not just for making art. In high school, she worked as a special overseas reporter for Wuhan TV Station to complete the program's production and gain 2 million viewings. During her undergraduate degree, Hongjin worked with the Chinese Embassy in Chicago many times as a program director, completing program recording and post-editing work. The self-written and self-directed short film "Goodbye" shot by her sophomore year won the Hollywood Gold Awards, 2021 International World Film Gold Award, and was nominated for the Chicago International Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival.

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