“The truth of a thing is in the feel of it, not in the think of it.”
Year of the Rat (27 min, Narrative)
Yearning for companionship but failing to connect with her American daughter, a middle-aged Chinese immigrant turns to the unlikely world of online dating.
Written, directed, and co-produced by Ricky Qi. World Premiere, 2022 Hawai’i International Film Festival. Golden Angel Award Recipient, 2022 Chinese American Film Festival.
Under One Roof (Documentary)
Under One Roof is a documentary chronicling the Mosuo people, China’s last matriarchal tribe. For centuries, the Mosuo lived in one of the most remote parts of all of China: To their south lie the great river trenches of Yunnan: impossibly steep gorges carved out by eons of flowing glacial meltwater. To their north lies the imposing Hengduan Mountain range - gateway to the Himalayas.
Throughout history, geography has always favored the Mosuo, shielding them from the tumult that raged across China in the 20th century. Now, as a new era of growing prosperity dawns, the Mosuo are faced with a crossroads: stay in the mountains and grasp onto their traditions in fierce isolation, or adapt and face an uncertain future head-on. Some have chosen to stay, while others venture into the unknown. No matter their decision, this much is certain: the Mosuo must redefine their understanding of themselves, and of the brave new world they’re set to encounter.
Written, directed, and co-produced by Ricky Qi. Recipient of National Geographic Explorer Grant & Wild China Explorer of the Year Grant.