A short film to come to terms with the fact that I won’t stay in the city I spent most of my life in for long periods again. It’s not a crushing feeling since I don’t feel tethered to it. But the further I am from it the more beautiful Taiwan is to me.
ASSETS
Made with a Micron, water color, and color pencils, drawing in my sketchbook then scanning and color correcting in Photoshop is one of my favorite methods to animate with :)
The best stories are rooted in some form of truth, but the truly remarkable ones know how to transform a simple truth or unique experience into a deeply compelling narrative. One such expertly crafted and touching piece is “Going Through Changes” by Lucy Hsiung, which left a lasting impression on me throughout the judging process. Each time I revisited it, I discovered new elements and personal touches that made it increasingly enjoyable.
The contrast between the chaotic black marker strokes representing New York City and the youthful crayon textures of the Taipei scenes first hinted at the unique storytelling happening here. As the protagonist realizes that certain flavors are absent from the New York version of a treat she misses, we witness parts of the Taiwanese scene fade away. Gradually, Taiwanese elements begin to reappear in the NYC landscape as she indulges in the treat, symbolizing her internal emotions in the physical world. Ultimately, we sense that a memory of Taipei has temporarily transported her back home.
The characters representing the flavors she misses instill hope that she can still imagine those tastes, even if just for a fleeting moment. In addition to the craftsmanship and evident love put into this film, the editing is well-executed, and the close-up of Fan Tuan during the end title card demonstrates a genuine understanding and appreciation of storytelling. The warmth and humanity conveyed through the voiceover elevate the narrative even further. This is a simple story, lovingly told by the only person who could share it.
