VISUAL REFERENCE
SYNOPSIS
INSPIRATIONS
Historical Events
The Magdalene Laundries
From 1922 to 1996, over 10,000 women and girls were imprisoned in Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. Under the State’s collaboration with four religious orders, they were subjected to severe abuse, isolation, and forced unpaid labor in locked facilities with inhumane conditions. Many believing they would die there.
Movies
Miss Potter (2006)
The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", and her struggle for love, happiness, and success.
Spotlight (2015)
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Inspired by real historical events and present-day news, "The Tale of a Village" is a period drama serving as an MFA Thesis Film from the New York Film Academy.
Set in 1924 Ireland, it follows Margaret, a courageous young girl who defies her domineering father and the Church’s strict control. As she documents the harrowing stories of imprisoned girls, Margaret risks her own safety to expose a hidden truth to the outside world.
Margaret's idealism and courage are, in my view, exceptionally rare qualities in the real world, yet they hold immense value for society. Her journey in this era underscores the premise that "the power of an individual is insufficient to fight the system." Despite her eventual failure, Margaret's relentless pursuit of truth highlights that every individual's effort to create change, no matter how small, contributes to the momentum of significant societal transformations.
At the end of the film, even though Margaret faces imprisonment, the ideas she shares with those around her act like a spark, continuing to encouraging others within the story. This enduring legacy is precisely what I aim to achieve with "The Tale of a Village."
Directing was never a dream of mine. Instead, I was drawn to the art of storytelling, wanting to convey my reflections and understandings of the world through a silent yet powerful narrative. I hope that this film resonates with audiences, evoking emotions and perhaps even prompting personal reflections and changes. By creating this film, I am taking a small step to spread my spark, independent of my identity as a woman or my societal background as an Asian. I believe the story I have developed carries a universal essence that can be understood and felt by audiences around the world.
PRODUCTION TEAM
PRODUCER
Valentina Chang
Before moving to LA in 2022, Valentina honed her craft in Taiwan. She led several marketing & product teams in Tech, then transitioned into Film & TV, contributing to HBO Max's competition show and the PBS feature Girl What Do You Want. She also supported the director David Chuang’s boutique production company, known for Netflix Taiwan's top-ranking series, ‘The Victims’ Game’. She deepened her expertise in Film & TV Development at UCLA Extension, and is passionate about stories that explore gender politics and socioeconomic dynamics. ‘Grub’, the short film she successfully fund-raised and produced, won Best Horror Film at Miami International Science Fiction Festival, was officially selected for Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2024, and mentioned on Deadline. She also has various films in post-production, including the short film ‘The Big Match Girl’. ”
DIRECTOR/WRITER
Lusha Li has worked in the film, gaming, and television industries for 13 years. Her artistic background combines music and visuals, and she has served as a film composer, cinematographer, and director. She studied under instructors such as Jacek Laskus, ASC, and Pascal Lebègue. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Cinematography at the New York Film Academy and previously earned a BA in Electronic Music Production from the Central Conservatory of Music in China.
PRODUCETION DESIGNER
Nya Patrinos has worked as a Set Decorator in Film and Television since 1996. She was awarded a MFA in Set Design from UCSD/La Jolla Playhouse, a BA in Design of the Environment from University of Pennsylvania, and a Certificate in Illustration from Otis College of Art and Design. Nya received an Emmy nomination in Art Direction/Set Decoration for her Set Decoration on "Transparent" and a Dramalogue Award in Set Design for the play "Flyin' West." Ms. Patrinos has taught design at UCSD, Columbia College, LMU and FIDM. She loves drawing, yoga and being in nature.
COSTUME DESIGNER
Sonia Nava is a costume designer and stylist based between Los Angeles and London. She studied Fashion Merchandise and Radio Broadcasting in San Francisco before becoming a fashion director at Hachette for Elle Magazine in Paris. Sonia lived and worked in Milan for over a decade where she launched 2 publications and it was then she began costuming independent Italian film projects. In 2014, Sonia moved to London where she was personally chosen by actor John Hurt to act as his personal costume designer for his role in the feature film, A.K.A Nadia. Sonia's extensive international work experience paired with her Californian-Hispanic roots continues to influence her aesthetic approach in costuming. Sonia has designed for both WWI and WWII, Sci-Fi, Western and contemporary themed films in Italy, the U.K. Spain and most recently in the States.
COMING
2025
A Production by
​the New York Film Academy
