A FIRECRACKER STORY
炮仗的故事
CHINA | 2021 | SHORT | 21min
Director: Zhizi Hao
Screenwriter: Zhizi Hao
Executive Producer: Kek Wang, Zongyi Hao
Producer: Naixin Liang
Cinematographer: Guyuan Ma
Editor: Xiao Ding
Production Designer: Yiling Ding
Sound Recordist: Dezhou Li
Sound Designer: Dominic Fitzgerald
Music: Edward Lun
Starring: Yiyang Shi, Rong Dai
导演:郝智梓
编剧:郝智梓
监制:王克,郝宗一
制片人: 梁乃心
摄影指导:马故渊
剪辑:丁笑
美术指导:丁一凌
录音:李德宙
声音设计:Dominic Fitzgerald
音乐:Edward Lun
主演:施逸洋,戴荣
Synopsis
Festival&Award
A newly introduced ban on fireworks in a town in the South of China is changing people's lives: The manager of a local firework shop is forced to close his business for good, another business man grasps an opportunity and begins selling electric firecrackers, and a local community leader begins patrolling the neighbourhood, being vigilant for anyone breaking the new ban…
On the Chinese New Year's Eve, an 8-year-old boy, Dian Dian sets out his journey, searching for fireworks. Through his eyes, we see how different people are adapting their traditions under the new regulations, and how Dian Dian finds what he’s looking for, although not what he expected.
Amidst the heat and noise of the most joyful holiday in China, there is a sensational explosion of sounds that draws the entire town into confusion, surprise, and delight. Following an eight-year-old boy’s adventure, this tale of Chinese New Year’s Eve voices the drama ignited by the ban on firecrackers. Simple yet sumptuous, Zhizi HAO’s London Film School graduation film richly portrays the subtle changes that unfold in a small town through a panoply of everyday characters. Beautifully paced with a pleasant twist at the end, A FIRECRACKER STORY gives a unique glimpse into the loss and search for happiness in a swiftly changing world.
Director's Note
In 2016, the Shanghai local government introduced a ban on firecrackers within the Outer Ring of the city. While the intentions are very reasonable, the ban is changing the New Year’s rituals, and people will take time to adapt to this change. By making this short film, ‘A Firecracker Story’, I hope to document this transition, and explore the individuals' experience when faced with a change in the society and history.
Zhizi HAO
Born in 1994 and grew up in Hainan, China, Zhizi HAO is a young filmmaker who gained his first exposure to filmmaking in 2016 on the set of one of the best-selling Chinese blockbusters, Wolf Warrior 2. In 2017, he set off to hone his directing skills at London Film School.
A FIRECRACKER STORY is his graduation film.