Synopsis
Two distinct young individuals, Ye and Abel, meet in a Tibetan art history class shortly before graduation. Sharing similar frustrations with not fitting into their cultures of origin, along with unresolved questions about lives, they take a glimpse into each other’s comfort zone before entering the next chapter of their respective journeys.
Faye Shu
Faye Shu, a young Chinese filmmaker, currently works as a freelancer. She received her bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and Barnard College and holds a master's degree from the University of Southern California. Her interest lies in de-sensationalizing experiences to unveil true human conditions. FOLIAGE is her directorial debut.
Director's statement
Many of us with foreign living experience often face the question, “Why are you here?” With this film, I want to turn that question back to each viewer. Why are you here? Why can’t we see beyond cultural, religious, and institutional differences to truly understand what lies within us? Why do we focus on arbitrary distinctions created by history—an essence we may not fully grasp—while being so afraid to reveal or share our feelings of being lost, found, lost again, and found again? I hope this film resonates with you and sparks some reflection.
