Swans of Hudson River

Mingjie Li

United States of America / 2024 / Fiction / 12’32”I2501214

Swans of Hudson River
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SYNOPSIS

Sunday afternoon, an unusual pair enjoys their weekend by the river. Sylvia is a 27-year-old Chinese graduate student. Marilyn, Sylvia’s landlord, is a 65-year-old white New Yorker. Sylvia has been living with Marilyn at her Upper West Side apartment for almost a year now. They are not only roommates, but best friends, or more. However, this is not just two women’s world, there’s also Dan- Sylvia’s boyfriend. Marilyn never approves of Dan. He’s mediocre and boring in her opinion. Sylvia goes out to the concert with Dan to celebrate his birthday. Marilyn is unhappy about Sylvia going out, but she enjoys dressing her up like her younger self. Marilyn prepares a classic “Black and White Ball” at home, waiting for Sylvia to come back. Marilyn wants Sylvia to always have the best time with her, not with anyone else. Soon things take a turn. Sylvia tells Marilyn that she wants to move in with Dan. This horrifies Marilyn and she starts pushing her agenda- persuading Sylvia to stay. Marilyn takes every opportunity to show Sylvia that she desperately needs her. Ironically, the tighter Marilyn holds on to Sylvia, the more it makes Sylvia want to escape. All of Marilyn’s efforts backfire on her. On top of that, Marilyn’s progressing Alzheimer’s disease makes things even worse. Marilyn mistakes Sylvia’s Chinese antique teacup for her own and accidentally breaks it. This teacup is a souvenir from Sylvia’s grandma, who passed away a few years ago. Sylvia cherishes this cup dearly. This accident cracks a hole in their relationship irreversibly. Things escalate quickly when Sylvia finds out Marilyn wanders on the streets one night and doesn’t even recognize Sylvia. That’s the last straw on the camel’s back- Sylvia is determined to leave. It’s Thanksgiving. Marilyn goes to her sister’s house in Connecticut for a holiday. Sylvia plans to seize this opportunity to leave quietly when Marilyn’s not home. However, something unexpected happens…

GÉNÉRIQUE