Meeting Memories
A documentary following the ritualistic journey I took to meet my long-deceased grandparents through the memories and memorabilia of my living relatives. (Ongoing project)
My role: Director, Producer, Editor
Cinematographer: 陳沅 / Victor Chen
Location Sound Mixer: 吳建緯 / Wu Jian-Wei
Production Assistants:
俞暐庭 / Azlee Yu, 彭采薇 / Megan Connie Peng
Graphic Designer: Arnon Karnkaeng
sprouted in their absence
My 阿公阿嬤 (maternal grandparents) both died of cancer within 2 years of each other in the 1980s, long before I was born. Their absence sprouted years of seeking anecdotes about my grandparents, and eventually—by force of imagination and longing—nurtured my love for them. My desire to forge a connection with them thus manifested into what is now my ongoing documentary Meeting Memories.
Filmed across Taiwan (Taipei, Taichung, Tainan) and Japan (Tokyo), we captured 21 scenes across 19 locations featuring 23 of my relatives in total. Besides interviewing relatives, I also retraced places that were once of significance to my 阿公阿嬤 and immersed myself in using objects they’ve left behind—a 127 mm film camera, tailored coats, and a Go game set.
A lens into the past:
The 3 Generations Photoshoot
With the 127 mm 1932 Zeh Goldi film camera and various pieces tailored clothes my 阿公阿嬤 left behind, I time-traveled with my mom to connect with them in a ritualistic photoshoot styling their clothes with our own. Shot at 典雅快速沖印照相館 in downtown Taipei—the sister photo studio of the now-gone 雅典攝影場 where my grandparents used to take their studio headshots.
Photographed and developed by 陳沅 / Victor Chen.
Collaboratively styled by me, my mother, and my deceased 阿公阿嬤.
— Color images shot separately with DSLR —
Select Stills
A collection of stills from footage captured thus far. Consists of interviews, site visits, and activities.
2024 Progress and Projected General Timeline
⚫️
PRE-PRODUCTION & STAGE 01 PRODUCTION
Dec – May
Pre-Production prep
Film in Taiwan and Japan
Edit & refine Teaser
Source & pool initial funding
⚫️
EDIT (& STAGE 02 PRODUCTION)
June – Oct
Edit & collaborate with specialists (graphic designer, composer, sound designer)
Capture necessary additional footage / materials
Screen segments for group / individual feedback & revise
⚫️
REFINE & SUBMIT
Nov – Mar
Technical refinement: color grading, sound
Consult industry professionals for final feedback & refinement
Submit to festivals / competitions