Happy Birthday, Miss X

My name is Xinning Li. I’m an international student at Syracuse University studying visual communications. This documentary originates from the discovery of an old SD card I brought with me from China. The card footage is from 12 years ago, my 10th birthday, reminding me of a long-forgotten memory that reveals a story of generations of family suffering from physical and verbal abuse. Confronting the fear of facing trauma, I sought to investigate and unravel the emotion behind the memory, trying to re-open the conversation of love and understanding despite the barrier of COVID and cross-continental distance.

While making the film, I received tremendous help and support from my instructors, peers and family members contributing to my courage to develop both my voice and story.