PASSING THE DESOLATE PLAINS
路过艽野

Synopsis
A short film that follows the unexpected encounter between a Han Chinese girl and a Tibetan girl during their journey across desolate plains.


Category
-Director
-Writer

YEAR
-2025.01    (Concept Video)    
-2026.02   (Full Film - Upcoming)



I. Project Overall


PASSING THE DESOLATE PLAINS  路过艽野       2025
Director · Writer





The story of Passing the Desolate Plains unfolds in the western part of the province, in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture—a region I’ve visited countless times throughout my life. The landscapes there have always held me captive, and the culture of the people, so different from my own, has left an indelible mark on me.

Despite the stark contrast between their world and mine, I’ve always felt an inexplicable connection—a deep recognition of shared humanity. The people, the land, and the way of life in this place have become a part of me.
II. Creation and Intentions
This project is not only a story I wanted to tell—it’s an exploration of the emotions and insights I’ve gathered from my travels. As I crafted the narrative, I wanted to dig deep into the complexity of human connection, particularly between individuals from seemingly disparate backgrounds.



The girls’ journey is both an external one—across the vast, rugged terrain—and an internal one, as they navigate the emotions, misunderstandings, and revelations that come with their encounter.


The goal of this project is to create an intimate and reflective space for the audience, where the raw beauty of the landscape and the depth of the characters’ emotional landscapes are equally important. The visual narrative will intertwine with the story to immerse the viewer in this world, highlighting the subtleties of their connection and their differences.




At the heart of the film lies a simple but profound message: despite our differences, there is a universal thread that unites us all.



III. Concept Video









IV. Behind the Scenes
During the concept phase, we shot a 5-minute teaser that not only gave us a chance to test the narrative but also allowed us to experiment with the visual style and tone of the film



In these early stages, we encountered moments that mirrored the emotions and themes of the story—moments of unexpected connection and discovery. Capturing the beauty of the vast, desolate landscape and the subtle nuances of our characters’ emotional arcs has been a process of constant learning and growth.
V. Future Plans
The official filming of Passing the Desolate Plains is scheduled to begin in 2026.

With the script finalized and pre-production well underway, we are preparing to dive deeper into the full 15-minute version of the film.


To be continue...