Feature Film Competition “Silver Bird And Rainbow Fish” 

The 14th edition of Anibar will have four feature films. The first movie screened in this category is "Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish," written and directed by Lei Lei.

“Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish” is a visually captivating film that combines vivid photographs and other colorful media with elements of surrealist collage and pop-art animation. Lei Lei and his family recall the past to make sense of the present. In the 1950s, Jiaqi is 4 years old when his father is compelled to go work in the countryside and his mother passes away. 

The story revolves around a family’s experiences during a tumultuous period, touching on themes of loss, sacrifice, and the impact of political upheaval on personal lives. 

The mother falls ill and advises the father to work in the countryside despite her condition. When she passes away, he learns of her death through a colleague. The father is rushed to return to work before the funeral concludes, highlighting the oppressive demands placed on individuals by the political system. This leaves the question of who will take care of the children, leading to their placement in an orphanage. 

The father remarries, and the kids later find comfort in the stepmother’s care and neatness. The wedding, held in a bank’s main hall, is remembered as a happy day, offering a moment of joy amid adversity. 

However, the father is later sent for reeducation, highlighting the political pressures and control exerted on individuals. Communication becomes strained with the daughter, Pearl, as she works in a military factory and her leaders monitor their interaction. Pearl states that a line must be drawn between them, denouncing her father as an enemy of the state. This further emphasizes the impact of political ideologies on personal relationships and the barriers created by the prevailing system. 

Overall, “Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish” explores the complex dynamics within a family during a time of political and social unrest, delving into themes of loss, separation, resilience, and the lasting effects of political ideologies on personal lives. 

There will be three more movies screened in the upcoming days for the feature film category, don’t miss them!