Private Project

The Phantasmagoria of the Dropped Piece

Han Lin is an ordinary worker who enters a chess piece world controlled by her boss. Within this surreal realm, she witnesses various puppet-like individuals manipulated as tools. Although she attempts to resist, she ultimately becomes another controlled pawn.

  • RUIZHE LUO
    Director
  • ANG-YONGAH
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 28, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 CNY
  • Country of Origin:
    China
  • Country of Filming:
    China
  • Language:
    No Dialogue
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Shanghai Lida University
Director Biography - RUIZHE LUO

Luo Ruizhe is an undergraduate student majoring in Broadcasting and Television Directing at Shanghai Lida University. Influenced by the works of director Wei Shujun, he focuses on realist themes. During university, he directed, wrote, and produced the short film Bondage of Hypocritical Love, exploring the father-son relationship in a divorced family.

In 2024, Luo directed the experimental film The Phantasmagoria of the Dropped Piece, also serving as its editor. His passion for cinema began in high school, where he developed a deep interest in both realist and experimental films. Aspiring to direct a feature film someday, he is currently exploring various creative styles to shape his directorial career.

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Director Statement

The Phantasmagoria of the Dropped Piece is a story about a working-class individual resisting capitalist control. While searching for inspiration, I came across the term ‘work game,’ which describes how workers voluntarily push themselves to the limit for higher wages under capitalist pressure. I used symbolism to reflect the reality of workers being controlled by capital, merging the concept of gaming with the theme of labour.

I chose chess as the starting point, using the chessboard as the backdrop for a surreal world where two timelines sync through the act of playing. I blended elements of capsule toy machines with modern factory machinery to create a unique setting, making the capsule toy machine the protagonist’s only source of information in the chess world.

I also incorporated modern sacrificial rituals to add a sense of mystery and danger to the surreal chess world. The protagonist accidentally enters this strange realm and experiences a journey from curiosity to rebellion, ultimately failing and becoming a chess piece themselves.

I chose to direct this film because its theme reflects real social issues that resonate deeply with people. Through this story, I hope to explore problems related to class divisions in human society.