Parallel World

Parallel World

蕭美玲HSIAO Mei-ling
2022
  • Taiwan
177min
Colour
  • DCP
G

Parallel World

Synopsis

Using video diary footage, Parallel World chronicles the 12-year journey of Elodie, a French-Taiwanese girl with Asperger syndrome. Through Elodie's drawings and clay works, the audience can take a glimpse of her whimsical world. The film, a mother's love letter to her daughter, follows them on a journey of self-seeking and self-recognition.  

'I became a mother when Elodie was born, and this new identity prompted me to contemplate culture, identity, and national boundaries. The film Somewhere Over the Cloud is a result of the contemplations. As Elodie continued to grow, I found myself examining how an individual connects with the outside world once again.  

'Elodie was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. She has dysgraphia but possesses a talent for drawing. As a mother, I want to equip my child with the skill sets required for her to survive in society, yet at the same time, I wonder what makes us human; wonder if I can truly understand my child's inner needs. I observe how creativity is gradually undermined when individuals are pressured by society to conform to a standard mold. But what is a normal person anyway? Isn't normality just an averaged-out result of a lot of random people?  

'At the age of fifteen Elodie went to her father's country to begin a new phase of her life. I became a "Zoom Mom": The videos recorded during the past ten years have been a source of reflection on our lives. For more than 10 years, I had to freeze my emotions to continue walking the tightrope as a special child's mother and translating all these complex feelings into a documentary proved to be my outlet.  

'All special children are gifts from God. These words, pictures, and videos are my self-therapy and what I would like to share with the world. Let them become the most profound love and blessing for my child.' - HSIAO Mei-ling  

Festivals & Awards
2022 IDFA
2023 Directors Guild of Japan Award, Yamagata IDFF
Director's Profile
HSIAO Mei-ling

Hsiao Mei-ling, born in Keelung, Taiwan. After studying at the National School of Art and Design of Nancy, she graduated from Le Fresnoy National Studio of the Contemporary Arts in 2000. In 2007, her film Somewhere over the Cloud received Special Mention of New Asian Currents at Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. In 2022,  Parallel World was selected in International Competition at IDFA and DMZ International Documentary Film Festival, winning the Directors Guild of Japan Award at YIDFF, Japan. Currently, she serves as an associate professor in the Department of the Arts and Design at the National Taipei University of Education.

Filmography
1996 Lettre, L’être
1999 The Falling Kite
2007 Somewhere Over the Cloud
2008 Love and Hope in the City
2022 Parallel World
Credit
Cinematographer/Editor|HSIAO Mei-ling
Music|Ardie SON, Christopher GALOVAN, Francesco DANDREA
Print Source
HSIAO Mei-ling|hsiaomeiling@mail.ntue.edu.tw

Schedule

場次地點 場次時間 場次備註 加入我的行程
華山光點二廳 2024/05/12 - 12:00 to 14:57 映後座談 購票去 Login or Sign up
華山光點二廳 2024/05/15 - 14:30 to 17:27 映後座談 購票去 Login or Sign up
華山光點二廳 2024/05/19 - 16:10 to 19:07 購票去 Login or Sign up