Imagine a young Chinese girl, raised in the quaint embrace of a Welsh fishing village, staunchly rejecting the folklore her mother holds dear. Yet, in a twist of fate, she encounters something utterly magical. This is the heart of Under the Wave off Little Dragon, a captivating 14-minute short film by Luo Jian, showcased at the 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF). But here’s where it gets intriguing: this Mandarin-, English-, and Welsh-language film is part of the LFF’s ‘Discovering Home’ collection, and it’s not just about cultural clashes—it’s about the unexpected moments that redefine who we are. But what happens when the stories we’re told don’t resonate, yet something inexplicable changes everything?
Starring Kexin Wang as the curious and spirited FeiFei, the film also features Ah Mui Lau, Jessica Dong, Stevee Davies, Rhys Meredith, Ross Foley, and Lee Mengo. It’s one of four Film4 shorts at the LFF, supported by Future Takes, a collaborative initiative between the BFI and Channel 4’s Film4. This program nurtures films from conception to completion, ensuring they reach audiences through screenings and streaming on Channel 4 platforms and the BFI Player.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jian shared how her personal experiences shaped the film. Three years ago, feeling lonely after moving from New York to London in the dreary month of January, she found solace in Wales during a family trip with her partner, who is half Welsh. ‘It reminded me of my hometown in China,’ she said, ‘with its lush greenery, even though it borders the Gobi Desert.’ And this is the part most people miss: it was in Wales that she noticed hints of China everywhere—from the landscapes to the Welsh red dragon statues, which sparked playful debates with her partner about their origins.
When asked about casting, Jian revealed how they discovered their young star. ‘She was just seven, with no prior experience,’ Jian recalled. ‘Our casting director found her, and what stood out was her serious demeanor—a charming way of overcoming nerves.’ Her mother, who runs a restaurant near Heathrow, even helped improvise scenes, adding a layer of authenticity to their on-screen relationship. But here’s the controversial part: does relying on family connections in casting enhance realism, or does it limit opportunities for others?
Initially, the script mirrored Jian’s own experiences as a first-generation immigrant. However, after casting Kexin Wang, a second-generation immigrant who speaks Chinese at home but is fluent in English, the narrative shifted. ‘I started changing the script based on her and her mom,’ Jian explained. ‘It became about a second-generation kid navigating her cultural identity.’
FeiFei’s mother, a first-generation immigrant, plays a pivotal role in this dynamic. She shares stories from her hometown, bridging the gap between cultures. The film also weaves in symbolism, particularly the fish and the dragon—a recurring motif in Chinese culture. ‘In Buddhist scriptures, fish symbolize transformation,’ Jian noted. ‘There’s a tale that if a fish swims fast enough, it can become a dragon—a metaphor for striving for a better life.’ But is this tale empowering, or does it place unrealistic expectations on those who hear it?
Jian admits she doesn’t draw strength from such stories, a sentiment echoed by FeiFei in the film. ‘Maybe she’s curious, but she doesn’t believe it,’ Jian added. This skepticism adds depth to the narrative, inviting viewers to question their own beliefs.
As for what’s next, Jian has several feature ideas in the works, though she admits she’s not a fast writer. In the meantime, fans of LFF 2025 shorts can explore other standout films like Nostalgie, Flock, and Magid / Zafar, each offering unique perspectives on identity, culture, and humanity.
What do you think? Does folklore still hold power in our modern world, or is it something we outgrow? And does the magic of cultural encounters lie in acceptance or rejection? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
