Between Names
Lala Luo
China / 2025 / Fiction, Animation / 17’37”I2605314
SYNOPSIS
Grace, a Chinese adoptee raised in the West, journeys to Shanghai with her partner, Janet, in search of her biological parents. Amid the vibrant streets and familiar-yet-foreign landscapes, Grace is confronted by bureaucratic roadblocks and fragments of her past that refuse to yield clear answers. Each step of her search is a delicate balancing act between hope and the growing realization that some dreams may remain out of reach. As Grace struggles with the emotional weight of her journey, the cultural and personal differences between her and Janet begin to surface, subtly threatening the stability of their relationship. In a city brimming with connections she longs to claim, Grace must reconcile the gap between her origins and the life she’s built. The film is a poignant exploration of identity, love, and the complexities of belonging. It delves into the bittersweet reality of seeking closure while learning to embrace the imperfect truths that shape who we are.