MAO Yu Lynn Yuan’s Debut Film Mermaid in the Garden of Escapism Premieres in Canada
- Editor
- May 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
May 25, 2024 (Montreal, Canada) - Mermaid in the Garden of Escapism, the debut film by director MAO Yu Lynn Yuan, held its premiere at Cinema Public in Montreal, Canada on May 25, 2024. Selected for the Canadian Independent Film Festival, the film has won "Best First-time Director (Short)" at the Vancouver International Film Awards and "Best Canadian Short Film" at the Canadian Cinematography Awards. It is also an official selection at international festivals including the Berlin International Art Film Festival and Cannes Art Film Festival.
Starring Gloria Gao and Banguo Huang, the film draws on mermaid folklore and explores the contemporary social theme of gender equality. It integrates AI-generated voiceovers as an ironic reflection, creating a narrative contrast with the cast’s wordless performances. Actress Gloria Gao attended the premiere.
MAO’s debut work is an artistic creation that incorporates AI technological innovation to advocate for gender equality, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Director MAO Yu Lynn Yuan, who holds a cross-cultural educational background, has prior experience in venture capital, arts, and technology—all of which inform her creative perspective.
About Canadian Independent Film Festival (CIFF)
The Canadian Independent Film Festival (CIFF) is an organization dedicated to promoting independent film culture, encouraging its development, and empowering minorities. The festival's vision is to establish Montreal as a hub for both local and international filmmakers, fostering the sharing of global perspectives and independent ideas with a broad audience.
Website:
Social media: @filmfestciff
About Cinéma Public
Cinéma Public is a movie theatre project launched by Roxanne Sayegh and Aude Renaud-Lorrain in April 2021. It is a Montreal-based organization dedicated to promoting and presenting diverse and independent films, often overlooked by mainstream cinema. They offer a variety of screenings, events, and educational programs, with a focus on cinephilia and critical engagement with film. Cinéma Public also collaborates with other cultural institutions and literary figures for special events.
Website:
Social media: @cinemapublicmtl
About Mermaid in the Garden of Escapism
Mermaid in the Garden of Escapism is director MAO Yu Lynn Yuan’s debut experimental art film, which advocates for gender equality in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Starring Gloria Gao and Baoguo Huang, the film tells the story of a mermaid searching for self in a surrealistic garden, a realm removed from reality. An 18th-century poem, narrated through AI voiceovers, runs throughout the work, reflecting the struggles of individuals—both women and men. With literary metaphors embedded in its visuals and employing a "counter-gaze" approach, the film explores the theme of individuality. It has earned acclaim at festivals such as those in Vancouver, Berlin, and Cannes, including awards like Best First-Time Director (Short) at the Vancouver International Film Awards.
