Experiencing Interruptions?

The Hollow: Strings of Heritage

Cheryl is a talented flautist and a dedicated dental PhD student. She moves between two worlds—her vibrant, independent
life in modern Australia and the quiet, tradition-bound expectations of her Chinese immigrant family.
On stage, she shines with confidence; at work, she is calm and precise; yet at home, conversations are brief, emotions are
restrained, and achievements are spoken of more than feelings.
In English, she connects easily with friends; in Mandarin, she faces the silent weight of expectation. Through music—a universal language that bridges cultures, heals distance, and allows her to reclaim her voice.

  • Ying Chu
    Director
  • Ying Chu
    Writer
  • Ying Chu
    Producer
  • Cheryl Fu
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 15, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English, Mandarin Chinese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, H.264 & MP4
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Ying Chu

Ying Chu is a filmmaker and director with over six years of screen performance experience and a strong focus on documentary and narrative storytelling. She completed her postgraduate studies at the WA Screen and Media Academy, where she directed one short documentary and produced two short films. Her graduate documentary Found Family received international recognition, winning awards at the Five Continents International Film Festival and the Bangkok Movie Awards in 2025.

As an immigrant in Australia, Ying draws inspiration from personal experience, using film as a way to explore identity, belonging, and community. During her undergraduate studies, she immersed herself in directing and producing, completing two short documentaries, a dance film, and a short drama. These works reflect her ongoing journey of cultural connection and self-discovery.

Her debut documentary Sisters – We Are Family (2022) won the Hong Kong Indie Film Festival and was selected by festivals including Tokyo Lift-Off and GOA Short Film Festival. Her second documentary, Chinese Pioneers – Western Australia (2022), won the Sydney Indie Short Festival and screened internationally.

In 2024, Ying directed her first narrative short film, Ah-Ma: A Tale of Two Generations, which received multiple international awards. Ying continues to develop work that bridges cultures and connects audiences through intimate, human-centered storytelling.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I first heard Cheryl’s story from her instructor, I was deeply
moved. Unlike most second-generation Chinese Australians I
know, Cheryl has an unshakable connection to her Chinese
heritage. At first, I assumed this stemmed from her environment,
but as we spoke further, I realised it was from herself—more than family—that truly shaped her identity.

As an Asian girl who has never lived in an Asian country, I found
Cheryl’s journey both surprising and inspiring. Through her story,
I aimed to showcase her temperament and devotion to Chinese
culture, while letting audiences feel the singular “beauty” she carries.