APM - Asian Project Market

2023 Project

Logline

In a small town in southern China, Adi, an ethnic boy from the She tribe, and Halip, a Uyghur boy, become the closest of friends. Over the summer, Adi gets to know Halip′s two sisters. The four children experience a humdrum yet unforgettable summer.

Synopsis

During a scorching summer, surrounded by tea gardens and majestic mountains, Adi and Halip, two bewildered boys fresh out of high school, wander aimlessly between the forests and towns, feeling trapped in a mix of boredom, joy, and sadness. They spend their days playing in waterfalls, reveling in the rain, caring for stray dogs, getting into fights, and earning money by picking tea leaves. Throughout their adventures, they cherish the company of Halip′s sisters, Harissa and Marhaba.
Amidst their carefree days, the influences of a gambling-addict brother-in-law, a spirited and independent sister, a kind and nurturing aunt, and a grandmother on a quest to find her missing husband on Pingtan Island, all subtly shape their lives.
This is the zenith of a jubilant southern summer, celebrating Gulbang Festival with loved ones, eagerly awaiting the sunrise on the sun-kissed beaches of Xiamen.
Yet, this is also the nadir of a southern summer, the loss of puppies, the sting of failed college entrance exams, the passing of Adi’s beloved grandmother, and an overwhelming sense of unrelieved sorrow.
As the rainy season descends, a tempest of inner turmoil envelops the two youths, adding to the challenge of their imminent separation from one another.

Director's Statement

Southern Summer follows the relationship between two boys, seemingly from different worlds but connected, as two sides of the same life. They see in each other the missing pieces, forming a bond as friends, lovers, and companions. However, this summer belongs not only to them but to every character involved.
Influenced by the Eastern aesthetic concept of "harmony between man and nature," the film embraces nature and authenticity. Filming will be free and flexible, with real locations, amateur actors, and an improvised script, providing ample space for creativity. The story will unfold depending on the actors′ genuine emotions and their own decisions, resulting in less straightforward subplots, to ensure the authenticity of the characters.
Using fixed shots, long takes and natural lighting, the narrative will be told objectively. Yet, an intense, emotionally-driven score will engage the audience.
We hope all can join us for an unforgettable southern summer.

Producer's Statement

Three months after Southern Afternoon (Lan Tian, 2022) won the Sonje Award at Busan International Film Festival 2022, the director decided to develop the short film into a full-length feature film as his directorial debut – Southern Summer. The film is based on the story of Adi, a boy from a minority She tribe in Fujian, and Halip, the brother of the sisters in Southern Afternoon (Lan Tian, 2022). This film will be a China – Malaysia co-production to start with, and the estimated budget for the film is USD 210,000.
It is truly exciting that this simple story of two boys, with all the right elements to create an intriguing and engaging drama, is coming your way from a first-time director.

Director's Profile

Producer's Profile