‘Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish’ Director Lei Lei Explores His Identity Through His Family’s Past
Marta Balaga Coming back to Rotterdam Film Festival where he presented his short “A Bright Summer Day” only two years ago, Chinese director Lei Lei is ready to expand his audience, he tells Variety.
Combining audio narration with animation and archive footage, in “Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish” – sold internationally by Asian Shadows and previously known as “Ningdu” – he creates a personal collage about his family’s – and China’s – turbulent past, with clay puppet heads obscuring faces in faded photographs.“I have been using old photographs in my previous films too, but this time, I didn’t want them to convey too much information.
Usually, you look at them and your mind starts to wander: ‘Who is this guy? What’s the relationship between these people?’ I covered their faces to make it easier for the audience to come into Lei Lei’s world and see it all through my eyes,” he says.
As his father and grandfather proceed to recount the events that often forced them apart, Lei Lei wanted to leave some space for imagination, introducing bright colors and humor to the narrative that frequently takes a heartbreaking turn.“Some of their stories can be harsh, but it always feels like they are telling a joke.
