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The Ancestors' Saying

Island

Animation, 2022, digital

The Ancestors' Saying

Island is an indie animation that explores the psychological and emotional complexities faced by mainland Chinese students during the 2019 Hong Kong social movement. Caught in a politically charged environment, these students were positioned between two opposing ideologies—seen by the central government and mainland society as sympathizers of the Hong Kong protests, and by many dissidents as representatives of an opposing ideology. Regardless of individual political views, they experienced varying degrees of social exclusion, scrutiny, and personal violation based on their origin.

    The animation employs wild animals native to both mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as surreal, dreamlike landscapes, to evoke the sense of displacement and internal conflict that these students encountered. By visualizing their struggle, "Island" reflects on a broader historical pattern where nationalism forces individuals to choose sides, despite the diversity of their perspectives. The work refrains from endorsing a specific viewpoint, instead focusing on the human experience of being caught in such ideological conflicts.

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© 2024 by Minglu Du. All copyrights reserved.

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