Sunflower Girl
葵花女
IN COMPETITION
Sunflower Girl follows 13-year-old Rosie, a Chinese-American girl, as she embarks on a carefree skateboarding adventure through New York City with her crush and his best friend, leaving behind her little sister and a forgotten lunchbox. The film captures the bittersweet tug-of-war between youthful freedom and family responsibilities, offering a nuanced look at the complex feelings of growing up.
Drawing from the director’s personal upbringing in New York, the film tenderly profiles the conflict between self-belief and family duty. It weaves in the director’s family history - Hong Kong immigrants operating a laundry shop in Brooklyn during the 1970s - to delve into themes of identity and belonging, and the inner struggles associated with differing cultural expectations. Moving away from the conventional focus on immigrant hardships, this film offers a softer depiction of Asian immigrant life. Through a tender female gaze, it portrays the joys and conflicts of growing up, capturing the unique experiences of this generation. -Qi Wu. Co-lead Curator of Odyssey 2024