Private Project

Petrichor

Petrichor was filmed in the middle of one of the worst pandemics in modern history. While the whole world struggles with the health, social, emotional and economic ramifications of this global pandemic, we wanted to take you to the quiet of a California orange grove to listen to the enchanting music of a classical guitar duet. This story, of a young brother and sister who discover that music can bridge time and generations, reminds us of the innocence and enduring beauty of nature and music.

This film adopts multi-media techniques that create a unique visual language of 2D animation and live-action blend. It invites you on a dreamy and nostalgic journey to a place where the pleasures of childhood, the sweetness of the earth and the magic of music combine to bring us together and bestow on us all a restorative sense of belonging.

The word "petrichor" refers to the gladdening and healing smell of rain after a long period of drought. We wish that this gentle film celebrating nature, music, human relationships and love can serve as a revitalizing touch of rain to our audiences during our present “drought.”

  • Kay Niuyue Zhang
    Director
    Unfinished Lives
  • Jiayun Li
    Producer
  • Kay Niuyue Zhang
    Producer
  • Juli Kim
    Producer
  • The Davisson duo
    Key Cast
  • Jiang Du
    Cinematographer
    Snake Trail
  • Zhongbo Ren
    Production Design
  • Michael Kim-Sheng
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Genres:
    Music, classical, Guitar, Drama
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 13, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - UNIVERISTY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Kay Niuyue Zhang

Kay Niuyue Zhang is from Hubei, China and lives in Los Angeles. She graduated from Duke University with a BA in International comparative studies and History.. She’s now a Film Production MFA candidate in University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and a receiver of the merit award of James Bridges and Jack Larson fund.
As a director and producer, Kay brings her films to more than 30 international film festivals such as Flicker Rhode Island international film festival, Canada Shorts, Hainan international film festival, Female Filmmaker Fuse Festival, Los Angeles CineFest, London Best Director Awards. The recent documentary short she produced Unfinished Lives is a gold medalist in the 47th Student Academy Awards. She also worked as Key PA in renowned TV and feature films such as Spongebob Squarepants season 9-12 and Bureau 749 by Chinese director Lu Chuan.
As a director with a cinematography background, Kay’s films tend to capture stories of the Asian American experience, crossing borders, coming of age, and female voice with a subtle and exquisite visual style.

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Director Statement

Petrichor was filmed in the middle of one of the worst pandemics in modern history. While the whole world struggles with the health, social, emotional and economic ramifications of this global pandemic, we wanted to take you to the quiet of a California orange grove to listen to the enchanting music of a classical guitar duet. This story, of a young brother and sister who discover that music can bridge time and generations, reminds us of the innocence and enduring beauty of nature and music.

This film adopts multi-media techniques that create a unique visual language of 2D animation and live-action blend. It invites you on a dreamy and nostalgic journey to a place where the pleasures of childhood, the sweetness of the earth and the magic of music combine to bring us together and bestow on us all a restorative sense of belonging.

The word "petrichor" refers to the gladdening and healing smell of rain after a long period of drought. We wish that this gentle film celebrating nature, music, human relationships and love can serve as a revitalizing touch of rain to our audiences during our present “drought.”