Meeting Memories
Through the memories and memorabilia of my relatives in Taiwan, this documentary short follows the rituals I took to meet my long-deceased maternal grandparents. (Ongoing project)
Credits
My role: Director, Editor
Cinematographer: 陳沅 / Victor Chen
Location Sound Mixer: 吳建緯 / Wu Jian-Wei
Production Assistants: 俞暐庭 / Azlee Yu, 彭采薇 / Megan Connie Peng
Graphic Designer: Arnon Karnkaeng
Sound Mixer / Designer: 黃振鴻 / Jil Huang
Special thanks to I-Mei Foundation for Arts and Education for their initial grant to support the crew and production of the film.
Seeking Producer to lead funding / distribution. Please reach out :)
Sprouted in Their Absence
My 阿公阿嬤 (maternal grandparents) both died of cancer within 2 years of each other in the 1980s, long before I was born. My desire to forge a connection with them thus manifested into what is now my ongoing documentary Meeting Memories.
Filmed across Taiwan (Taipei, Taichung, Tainan) and Japan (Tokyo), I interviewed 23 of my relatives, retraced places that were once of significance to my 阿公阿嬤, and immersed myself in using objects they’ve left behind—a 127 mm film camera, tailored coats, and a Go game set.
In the heart of it all, the making of this film has also been a homecoming to my family—an opportunity to gather with intention, an attempt to heal strain-endured relationships. Through my invitation to meet their past, we found solace in the present.
Ritual: The 3 Generations Photoshoot
With the 127 mm 1932 Zeh Goldi film camera and various pieces tailored clothes my 阿公阿嬤 left behind, I time-traveled with my mom to connect with them in a ritualistic photoshoot styling their clothes with our own. Shot at 典雅快速沖印照相館 in downtown Taipei—the sister photo studio of the now-gone 雅典攝影場 where my grandparents used to take their studio headshots.
Photographed and developed by 陳沅 / Victor Chen.
Collaboratively styled by me, my mother, and my deceased 阿公阿嬤.
Grandma in custom-made cashmere top in 1960s
Mom wearing Grandma's cashmere top, Emily wearing Mom's custom qipao
Photographed with Grandpa's Zeh Goldi film camera
Grandpa in his suit coat in 1972
Mom and Emily wearing Grandpa's suit coat, waist coat, and scarf
Photographed with Grandpa's Zeh Goldi film camera
Grandma in custom-made black and white micro-checkered fall coat in 1963 (standing next to her mother—my Great Grandmother—and her second younger brother—my Great Granduncle)
Emily wearing grandma's checkered coat, and Moms's red beret. Mom wearing Grandma's custom green matching 2-piece set
Photographed with Grandpa's Zeh Goldi film camera
Help me continue to support creative talent
I’m committed to fairly compensating the talented creatives I work with. It’s important to me to show that passion projects can and should be valued financially.
WHAT’S ALREADY BEEN INVESTED
With my own savings and a Taiwanese grant, I’ve covered upfront production costs with:
73% paying my crew
20% for equipment rental
7% for supplies and transport
WHAT WE STILL NEED HELP WITH
Now, we need your support to finish editing Meeting Memories and submit it to film festivals. Your donation will help me and the team dedicate time to making this story the best it can be!
Funds will go directly to the: colorist, sound mixer, composer, graphic designer, and festival submission fees.
Thank you for considering supporting this documentary. Every donation big or small will be credited in the film (unless noted by you otherwise at checkout). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or feedback!