Production begins in New York on immigrant drama Lily in the Cracks

Production officially began on Thursday on Lily in the Cracks, the second installment of the New York Stories film series, a project that focuses on the lives of overseas Chinese and their quest for identity, belonging and hope while living abroad.

The launch ceremony and news conference were held in New York, bringing together filmmakers, actors and representatives from Chinese and Asian American communities.

The film is written and directed by New York-based filmmaker Wang Ziqi and stars Hong Kong actress Irene Wan and veteran actress Wang Ji.

According to organizers, the New York Stories series follows several generations of Chinese immigrants whose lives are shaped by uncertainty, struggle and perseverance.

Lily in the Cracks centers on people living on the margins of a major city and explores their struggles and growth amid social, economic and emotional pressures.

The film's Chinese title translates roughly as "a lily growing in the cracks", a metaphor for people who continue to persevere and grow despite difficult circumstances.

The imagery reflects the experiences of immigrants navigating life between cultures, women confronting social and personal challenges, and overseas Chinese communities building lives between different worlds.

Wang said the project grew out of real people and experiences she encountered while living in New York. She described the city as a place where everyone has a story, and said she began developing scripts related to New York in 2022, eventually creating multiple storylines centered on the city.

"For Chinese people trying to make films in the US or overseas, it is actually very difficult," Wang said. "But making a good film is something I have been working extremely hard to do."

She said the film focuses on the process of finding balance between dreams and reality, a challenge she has also faced since moving to New York.

Through the New York Stories series, Wang said she hopes audiences will be moved not only by the captivating stories set in New York but also by the inspiring individuals who are determined to build fulfilling lives in the metropolis.

Hong Kong actress and singer Irene Wan, who stars in the film, said she felt a strong personal connection to the role and was drawn to the project both because she has known the director for many years and because she was moved by the script.

Wan said the character explores multiple themes, including family relationships, generational differences between mothers and daughters, emotional responsibility and women's personal growth.

Known for a career spanning film, television and music, the actress said the character reflects her own belief in perseverance and her hopes for younger generations.

Wan said she hopes the role will convey a message of female empowerment and encourage women to pursue their own dreams while continuing to grow in both their personal and professional lives.

Actress Chang Guiruisi, who plays a mother in the film, said her character was once a talented designer who gave up her ambitions after immigrating to the United States and taking on family responsibilities.

Chang said the role reflects the tension many immigrant women face between dreams and reality, as well as the emotional and generational challenges common in immigrant families.

Producer Max Ren said the film's focus on women, family relationships and the experiences of Chinese immigrants gives it contemporary relevance. He said films about overseas Chinese can help audiences better understand their experiences, values and aspirations.

Ryan Su, a senior inspector in New York City law enforcement and an actor in River Cards, the first film in the New York Stories series, said he hopes the film will encourage greater unity, mutual support and resource sharing within Chinese communities abroad.

He also expressed hope that more international audiences will gain a broader understanding of Chinese communities beyond their economic pursuits.

Song Miao, head of the Canada-China International Film Festival, said Chinese-language feature films centered on immigrant experiences have become relatively uncommon in recent years. She said stories of this kind have contemporary relevance and could resonate with a wider audience.

As filming gets underway in New York, the creators say the film will continue to use the city as a backdrop to tell stories of Chinese women and immigrant families searching for identity, pursuing their dreams and navigating life between cultures.