Project 1 – Introduction

The first project I wanted to do this time was an experimental documentary, a directorial work by Chongyan Liu. She is a filmmaker and artist who lives and works in Paris and London, and she created this work for her friend Maiy.

After discovering the body of Maiy C. H6 (1995-2021)at the School of Fine Arts in Berlin(UDK, University at der Künste Berlin) following her suicide on June 24, 2021, I was compelled to take a step back and dedicate myself to documenting her struggles with depression through film.
——By Director Chongyan Liu

Maiy was a German/Vietnamese trans-woman brought up in an abusive household. She was a victim of domestic violence from a young age – both physical and psychological in nature – predominantly at the hands of her stepfather. This man insisted that she not directly reference or allude to her native Vietnamese culture whilst around their home; it was through this cruel demand that a part of her identity was ripped away. Subsequently, after being taken into care by child protective services, she began her exchange of letters with Florian – Maiy’s half-brother. We draw upon his recollections and her accounts of suffering from clinical depression or, more precisely, her gender dysphoria – a psychological condition known to cause immense discomfort and anxiety connected to the mis-assignment of gender at birth.

Director tries to document some stories and explore some answers to questions by the camera. Although many questions will forever remain unanswered, this project seeks to share the irrevocable pain that Maiy experienced.

The presentation of this work is a point-of-view shot with a monologue. And point-of-view shot is also known as a first-person shot. It is a subjective presentation where the camera is Maiy, taking the viewer on a journey through the places she has lived.

The script for this production is Maiy’s letter to Florian, which appears as a monologue.