tang yi all the crows in the world short film palme d'or cannes film festival winner 2021
Cover Tang Yi's "All The Crows In The World" claims the Short Film Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2021 (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The 14-minute film by Tang Yi took home the top prize for short film at the Cannes Film Festival 2021

Hong Kong short film Tian Xia Wu Ya or All The Crows In The World claimed the top prize for short film at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival 2021. The Short Film Palme d'Or was given to the 14-minute short film by Tang Yi, a New York University (NYU) film student.

The winning short film follows an 18-year-old student, Shengnan (Chen Xuanyu) who gets invited to a mysterious party by her cousin. Much to her surprise, the party is filled with greasy middle-aged men. But one of them is different: Jianguo (Xue Baohe). As the night continues, the two form an unlikely bond.

According to Yi's director statement, the short film was inspired by her own experiences as a teenager. "I was often asked to sing and dance in front of everyone at dinner parties. I was very used to it so I was never uncomfortable about it," she said.

However, at one party, she was forced to drink with every "uncle" at the table. Things got out of hand and she was asked by the host to go karaoke, only to be taken to a brothel.

See also: Cannes Film Festival 2021: Full Winners List

"Instead of recreating a long-gone traumatized memory, I try to make it more 'cult' as my self-reflect on Chinese business dinner party culture and an observation of how marginalized people get connected," she added.

When Yi received the award, she thanked NYU and asked for them to let her graduate in September. She also thanked Fresh Wave and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council for funding the film. All The Crows In The World won Best Screenplay and Best Director at the 15th Fresh Wave International Film Festival in Hong Kong.

She also expressed her wish to return to Cannes in the future, saying this is not yet the peak of her directing career.

See also: Cannes Film Festival 2021: 14 Asian Films Taking The Spotlight