A FISH WHISPERS
China, 19 mins, Digital
Ou Xiang, 14, lives a tumultuous life amidst the complexities of her family dynamics. Her parents, Jun and Qin, constantly argue, casting a shadow over her formative years. When Ou Xiang is forced to attend a dinner with her father's business associate, Mr. Song, she experiences firsthand the hypocrisy and superficiality of adult relationships. As she tries to understand her parents' arguments and their pretense in public, she becomes aware of the complexities of their relationship and societal expectations of men and women. As Ou Xiang explores her own desires and identity, she starts to resist the limitations imposed on her in unexpected ways and seeks to find her own voice. Inevitably, there are no winners in this protest within her family.
Director: Miaoning Hua
Writer: Miaoning Hua
Producer: Jieying Wu
Director of Photography: Zerui Liu
Editor: Miaoning Hua
Production Designer: Yuxin Jiang
Cast:
Father: Sanyuan Yan
Ouxiang: Yiyi Liu
Mother: Qin Li (Jingting Li)
Director Song: Yong Chen
Song’s Daughter: Yajia Lian
Song’s Wife: Chen Li
Contact: Miaoning Hua, mh4097@columbia.edu
Program D
Saturday, May 16, 7 PM
About the Writer/Director
Miaoning Hua is a writer-director born and raised in Sichuan, China, and now based in New York. She will graduate from Columbia University’s MFA Directing program in October 2025. Her work is particularly drawn to female-centered storytelling, exploring women’s emotional landscapes, inner transformation, and self-discovery through intimate, psychologically nuanced, and culturally grounded narratives.
About the Producer
Amy Wu is a producer based in New York and California and an MFA candidate at Columbia University’s Film Program. She has experience across award-winning short films, feature films, documentaries, and commercial productions. Passionate about collaborating with emerging filmmakers, she is committed to developing authentic, compelling stories from concept through completion.
