Ziyu Luo delves into the intricate and heartbreaking dynamic of role reversal in her debut short film, American Daydream. The film explores the emotional turmoil that ensues when a child becomes the primary caregiver, and the mother becomes the dependent. The narrative revolves around Marilyn (Jessica Lee), a young Chinese American gynecologist based in New York’s Chinatown. Marilyn harbors dreams of moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. However, she is plagued by guilt at the thought of leaving her undocumented immigrant mother (Yan Cui), who is dependent on her for survival in the U.S.Â
In an interview with Deadline, Luo provides insight into her compelling story of love, sacrifice, and the complex ties that bind families together.
DEADLINE: How did you find your way into filmmaking? Did your parents have a creative background?Â
ZIYU LUO: From a young age, I had a strong desire to be an artist. However, in China, filmmaking is a costly endeavor compared to other art forms. Therefore, my parents encouraged me to learn painting, a more affordable alternative. I gave it a shot, but it didn’t resonate with me, and I lacked the passion for it. Once I was financially stable, I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a director. My ambition for filmmaking was partly my own and partly influenced by my parents. They were born during the cultural revolution in the ’60s and ’70s in China, a period of significant chaos. They experienced the Great Famine, where many people died due to food scarcity. They had me during the one-child policy era, and the local government attempted to force my mother to abort me. My mother, however, stood her ground and fled to a town where she was unknown and gave birth to me in secret. This deep resilience shaped me.Â
Ziyu Luo
Ziyu Luo
My mother, much like the mother in the movie, is hardworking and has a great sense of humor. Filmmaking is not just about creativity
Credit: deadline.com
