During an unexpected air-raid lockdown in the 1930s, an accountant and a university teacher meet, and quickly fall in love. Then, unexpectedly, their connection was as momentary as the lockdown.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Tianyu “John” Jiang

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made Sealed Off with the wish to shed light on a lesser-known period in Chinese history and bring to life a narrative inspired by Eileen Chang's short novel and my grandmother's experiences. It's an exploration of the intricate human psyche during tumultuous times. Through the film, I wanted to delve into the profound impact of historical events on individuals and showcase the resilience of the human spirit. By capturing the themes of isolation, despair, and the hidden depths of humanity during lockdowns, I aimed to offer a glimpse into the complex emotions and experiences of people in those challenging moments.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Sealed Off is a captivating film that takes the viewer on an emotional journey through a remarkable moment in history—the foreign invasion of WWII period Shanghai. With a unique perspective from a 20-year-old filmmaker who has experienced both the East and West education, this film offers a fresh lens and a powerful narrative. It goes beyond historical context, delving into universal themes of resilience and human connection in the face of adversity. In today's global climate, where challenges and uncertainties abound, Sealed Off resonates deeply, providing profound insights and heartfelt exploration of the human spirit. The visually stunning film also features over 200 casts and was shot in 4 days.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

In Sealed Off the personal and universal themes intertwine to create a compelling narrative. At its core, the film explores a deeply personal theme through the intimate encounter of two strangers. Their journey serves as a microcosm for the human experience, reflecting the complexities of isolation, despair, and the transient nature of human connections. By delving into these personal experiences, the film resonates with audiences on a universal level. Despite cultural differences, the themes explored in the film are relatable to people from all walks of life. The sense of isolation, the yearning for connection, and the acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of human relationships are aspects of the human condition that transcend cultural boundaries.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The development of Sealed Off saw numerous revisions to the script to ensure that the short film could successfully represent the sentiment of the original short story ‘Feng Suo’ while maintaining the emotional continuity of the visual narrative.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been largely positive, which is affirming!

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

There have been surprising insights and interpretations that have challenged me to consider different perspectives, mainly on the comparisons between this film and its original written story. Though I tried my best to maintain the essence of the original story, the film ended up having a different sentiment: with more emphasis on war and the relationship between people, rather than having a more free-flow, intrinsic narrative style.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

My aim is to expand the reach of Sealed Off to a wider audience. I want to spark meaningful discussions and engage viewers in thought-provoking conversations about the film's themes. I also hope that this increased visibility will open doors to future collaborations with filmmakers from around the world, fostering creative connections and enriching our collective cinematic experiences.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I welcome film festival directors, journalists, distributors, and sales agents to amplify the film's message and increase its reach. As a foreign language short film, it is not easy to reach audiences who are not Chinese speakers. I believe their expertise would help to create more opportunities to promote this film to the global market.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like Sealed Off to inspire people to reflect back upon how isolation and despair impacted our lives. My hope is for the audience to appreciate the historical context, but also connect emotionally with the universal theme and see a piece of themselves in this story.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

"How does our environment shape our connections and how we perceive them?" or “What would you do at this moment knowing there might not be a tomorrow?”

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Currently, I am working on a couple of projects, one of which is a mini-series script set in modern-day New York City, which shares similarities with Sealed Off. I am interested in exploring the impact of post-modern urbanization on individual lives and communities in my future work.

Interview: June 2023

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Sealed Off (封鎖)

During an unexpected air-raid lockdown in the 1930s, an accountant and a university teacher meet, and quickly fall in love. Then, unexpectedly, their connection was as momentary as the lockdown.

Length: 17:23

Director: Tianyu Jiang

Producer: Tianyu Jiang

Writer: Tianyu Jiang

About the writer, director and producer:

TIANYU JIANG is a 22-year-old filmmaker based in New York and Shanghai. He started exploring the realm of visual narrative at the age of 15. His works focus on exploring the intricacies of the human psyche under special circumstances.

Key cast: Zhenfei Chen(Lyu the accountant), Shijiu Liu(Wu the teacher)

Looking for: sales agents, journalists, distributors, film festival directors

Instagram: @johnjiangg, @sealedoff_shortfilm

Hashtags used: #sealedoff, #sealedoff2023

Other: IMDb

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Tribeca Festival, June 11th, 14th, 17th