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Story

In 1885, the racial tension has reached a boiling point in Eureka, CA. The white decides to issue a final eviction notice to the Chinese. Longlong, an 18-year-old prostitute, unleashes her violence on a white protester in order to protect Mama, the brothel owner and her mother figure, only to be punished for dooming Mama’s last attempt to save the brothel from eviction. The feeling of being misunderstood triggers Longlong’s bottled up hatred toward Mama. She must reconcile her hatred with her toxic dependency on Mama, and discover what freedom really means outside the brothel door.

Director: Mida Chu

Producer: Crystal Du

Cinematographer: Qingzhuo Wang

Production Designer: Xi Chen

Editor: Minjae Kang

Located in the heart of the entertainment community in Hollywood, the American Film Institute Conservatory places a strong emphasis on narrative visual storytelling and personal expression. It is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top film schools. A dedicated group of working professionals from the film and television communities serves as mentors in a hands-on, production-based environment nurturing the talents of tomorrow's storytellers.

Terrence Malick (Directing '69)

BADLANDS, THE TREE OF LIFE, THE THIN RED LINE

David Lynch (Directing '70)

BLUE VELVET, MULHOLLAND DRIVE, THE ELEPHANT MAN

Darren Aronofsky (Directing '92)
BLACK SWAN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, THE WRESTLER, NOAH, PI

Patty Jenkins (Directing '00) 
WONDER WOMAN, MONSTER (also as writer) 

Sam Esmail (Directing '04)
MR. ROBOT (also as creator/executive producer/writer), COMET (also as writer)

Janusz Kaminski (Cinematography '87) 
BRIDGE OF SPIES, SCHINDLER'S LIST, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

Paul Schrader (Directing '69) 
RAGING BULL, TAXI DRIVER (both as writer)

Matthew Libatique (Cinematography '92)

IRON MAN, PI, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

Andrea Arnold (Directing '91)

FISH TANK, RED ROAD, AMERICAN HONEY

Robert Richardson (Cinematography '79)

DJANGO UNCHAINED, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, SHUTTER ISLAND, THE HATEFUL EIGHT

Robert Elswit (Cinematography, '77) 
NIGHTCRAWLER, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, THE TOWN

Wally Pfister (Cinematography '88)

BATMAN BEGINS, INCEPTION, MEMENTO

Sharon Seymour (Production Design '84) 
ARGO, THE TOWN 

Christopher Gay (Editing '06) 
12 MONKEYS, MAD MEN

 

Jacqueline Hoyt (Screenwriting '02) 
THE LEFTOVERS (also as co-executive producer), THE GOOD WIFE (also as supervising producer)

 

Pieter Jan Brugge (Producing '79) 
HEAT, THE INSIDER

 

Bryan Felty (Production Design '92) 
BLACK MASS, THE HEAT (both as art director)

Steven Rosenblum (Cinematography '76) 
BRAVEHEART, THE LAST SAMURAI (both as editor)

Steve Golin (Producing '81) 
BABEL, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, SPOTLIGHT, THE REVENANT

 

Edward Zwick (Directing '75)

BLOOD DIAMOND (also as producer/writer), THE LAST SAMURAI (as producer), TRAFFIC (as producer), GLORY

 

Anne Garefino (Producing '88) 
SOUTH PARK (as executive producer), THE BOOK OF MORMON

 

Andrew Max Cahn (Production Design '92)

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PARTS 1 and 2, THE HANGOVER (both as art director)

 

Affonso Gonçalves (Editing '93) 
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, CAROL, WINTER'S BONE

 

Brad Falchuk (Screenwriting '94) 
AMERICAN HORROR STORY, GLEE, NIP/TUCK

 

Susannah Grant (Screenwriting '91) 
ERIN BROCKOVICH, THE SOLOIST

DONATION CREDITS

Donations of certain levels will receive a special credit at the end of the film:

[ Supporter ] below $100

[ Benefactor ] $100 - $499

[ Partner ] $500 - $999

[ Sponsor ] $1,000 - $4,999

[ Executive Producer ] $5,000 and above

IN-KIND

Help comes in many forms. We will gratefully accept any in-kind donations to our film - and you will make the credits! Please contact us and let us know how you can help.

We'll gladly accept any of the following:

- Filming Locations

-- Equipment (Camera, Grip, Lighting)

- Art Department & Construction Supplies

- Visual Effects

- Color Correction

- Sound Mixing

- Music Composing

The list goes on and on...

TAX DEDUCTIBLE

The American Film Institute is a Government recognized 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization and holds tax exempt status. Donations made toward "Petals" may be tax deductible under Section 170 of the U.S. Tax Code. A letter of acknowledgment from AFI will be sent for all contributions.

MATCHING GRANT

Many companies will match donations made by their employees to non-profit charitable institutions. This can DOUBLE your donation. Your Human Resources Department will be able to inform you if your employer offers this benefit. If so, please select the 'My company will match my gift' on the AFI Web Donation Portal. Please contact us for additional help.

DONATE VIA AFI WEBSITE
Visit:
https://my.afi.com/dev/contribute2.aspx?don=306

Make sure "AFI Thesis Film 2011-Petals" is selected in the drop down menu.

Fill out your information and donation amount

Click "Donate Now".

SHOOTING DATE:

Jan.27th to Feb 5th

DELIVERY DATE:

June.19th

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