Private Project

Two Funerals

Gui, a fugitive who has been on the run for many years, disguises as a Buddhist monk to attend his mother's funeral, but unexpectedly finds that the key part "nailing coffin" in the funeral needs the deceased son to complete the last nail. Standing in the crowd, he dares not reveal his identity, and failed to give his mother his last respects; Gui escapes the lobby to escape the plainclothes police, but accidentally meet the filial son Chen from neighbor lobby, Chen begs monk dressed Gui chanting farewell for Chen's mother , Gui finally kneels in front of other's mother's body, completed what a filial son should do.

  • Huawei Sun
    Director
  • Zoe Chang
    Writer
  • Huawei Sun
    Writer
  • Xinyi Wu
    Producer
  • Xue Liu
    Key Cast
    "Gui"
    Zhong Guo Ji Zhang
  • Xing Ming
    Key Cast
    "Eldist sister"
    Hui lang ting
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    半路出家
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 23, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    270,000 CNY
  • Country of Origin:
    China
  • Country of Filming:
    China
  • Language:
    Chinese - Min Nan
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Huawei Sun

Sun Huawei is born at 1985 and grew up in Beijing, China.He granduated successively from Tandon School of Engineering and Tisch School of arts both at NYU, and obtained Master degrees of Electrical Engineering and Cinema Study, after which he started his career at Chinese film industry, usually worked as assistant director among varieties of film crews, one of which is The Foreigner（Martin Campbell, 2017）.
Two Funeral is his first director/screenwriting work.

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Director Statement

The film Two Funerals tells the story of an outlaw who cannot bid farewell to his own mother as a son, but unexpectedly fulfills filial piety for a stranger's mother from the neighboring hall. Then here comes the question I'm obsessed by: Does completing the mourning ceremony for an inrrelevant person with deep and sorrowful reminiscence have the same comforting effect as doing it for the right person?

The story takes place in the Fujian province, which is deeply rooted in tradition, rich in religious beliefs, and still preserves many funeral customs that have long been forgotten nowadays. Among them, the tradition of "Nailing Coffin" plays a crucial role in this story by making the protagonist, Gui, feel struggle and suffer since he cannot reveal himself as a son.

Moreover, the unique and humid climate of Fujian adds to the oppressive atmosphere of the story. In my discussions with cinematographer, we agreed to depict the atmosphere of Gui's oppression as primary task of the visuals. He had to be often standing under the shadows, observing others basking in the light, except at the last scene where he decides to turn back and face what he has done, finding himself under the light.

Returning to the question of whether completing the mourning ceremony for other's mom have the same comforting effect as for his own. I believe it does, as long as love resides in one's heart.

This film does not promote any particular religious belief. In reality, it doesn't matter what sutra he recites, be it from Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, or even if it's just the repetition of numbers 1 to 7. What matters is that Gui believes it can bring meaning to life and family ties – that is the most effective ritual for him.