Understand

Logline
UNDERSTAND is an intimate family drama about Le who tries to maintain her autonomy, but when a family scandal forces her to share a cramped Sydney apartment with her traditional mother Xinyi, she must confront long-buried truths to forge a new bond or risk losing her only remaining family.

Synopsis
Understand is an intimate family drama about Le, a fiercely independent Chinese girl, living a double life in Sydney. She worked nights in a convience store and spent her days pursuing her passion for painting. When her father was accused of sexual assault back in China, her mother Xingyi appeared at her front door without notice. Forced into uncomfortable quarters, Le bristled at her mother's unannounced intrusion.

The turning point came when Le discovered Xinyi's deteriorating health the next day. That night, Le worried about Xinyi's well-being, so she abandoned her shift at the bar, risking her job by rushing home. This led to a confrontation where years of misunderstandings and unspoken truths came pouring out.

  • Ziyi Huang
    Director
  • Ziyi Huang
    Writer
  • Yan Ma
    Producer
  • Ziyi Huang
    Producer
  • Sel Hiew
    Key Cast
    "Xingyi Yang"
  • Ziyi Huang
    Key Cast
    "Le Chen"
  • Lyuhao Nigel Zhou
    Director of Photographer
  • Lucky Chen
    Gaffer
  • Lucas Huang
    Gaffer
  • Tiange Sun
    1st AD
  • Gulong Yang
    1st AC
  • Mark Chen
    1st AC
  • Xingyu Chen
    1st AC
  • Zhuoqian Wu
    1st AC
  • Shanzhe Cui
    1st AC
  • Tella Wu
    Sound Recordist
  • Yuxuan Qi
    Sound Recordist
  • Lucas Huang
    Sound Recordist
  • Tianyi Li
    Sound Recordist
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    Mandarin Chinese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The University of Sydney
Director Biography - Ziyi Huang

Ziyi Huang is an emerging filmmaker based in Sydney whose unique perspective was shaped by her multicultural experiences of moving between countries during her teenage years. These transitions instilled in her a deep understanding of cultural adaptation and resistance, while periods of loneliness led her to discover filmmaking as both an escape and a form of expression.
The global COVID-19 pandemic became a catalyst for Ziyi to pursue her true calling. She embarked on a self-taught filmmaking journey, immersing herself in every aspect from pre- to post-production. As an independent female creator determined to make her mark, Ziyi began producing short films that cleverly combined animation with live-action—a technique that not only helped manage budget constraints but also allowed her to blend her youthful interests with her evolving artistic vision.
Her work has gained significant recognition, with one collaborative project reaching over a million views on social media, while her independent short film attracted two hundred thousand viewers. Currently enrolled in a Master of Film and Screen Arts program, Ziyi continues to expand her creative horizons by developing short films across multiple genres and fostering collaborations with fellow artists.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The inspiration for this film emerged from recent cases of sexual assault in the news. I was deeply affected by how these traumatic experiences can haunt victims throughout their lives. What particularly struck me was the revelation that many perpetrators are authority figures, often older men. This led me to an unexplored question: 'What happens to the perpetrator's family - their spouse and children?' This became the foundation of my story.

As a daughter, I've experienced my own struggles in understanding my mother. While many attribute such challenges to generational gaps and different life experiences, my relationship with my mother has evolved into something more complex as I've grown older. Through numerous meaningful conversations, I've gained deeper insights into who she is, even though we maintain our differences. I'm thankful that we've chosen understanding over silence, as this ongoing dialogue continues to shape my growth.

In my creative journey, I find myself consistently drawn to stories about ordinary people rather than larger-than-life characters. While I appreciate mainstream cinema, the films that resonate most deeply with me are those that bear the distinct imprint of a director's personal vision and lived experiences. With this project, I sought to create a story where the protagonist could be anyone you might encounter in daily life – someone who shares our common human experiences.

The film's visual language employs handheld camera techniques to heighten emotional moments, with varying angles and frames during conversations to reflect the characters' emotional states. I incorporated animation elements to express what couldn't be captured through conventional cinematography, adding a distinctive personal touch to the narrative.

As my directorial debut, this film represents the beginning of my journey as a filmmaker. I'm profoundly grateful for every individual who contributed to this project, and I take pride in having created a story that truly speaks from my heart.