Synopsis and Origins
“Closing Dynasty” is a short drama-comedy film released in 2023. It was written and directed by Lloyd Lee Choi. The film has a running time of 17 minutes and tells the emotionally rich and small story of a little girl’s deep thoughts as she walks through the congested streets of New York City. The movie was produced by Tribeca Studios and Hsubox Productions and it has been widely praised in the international film festival circuit.
This film premiered in various renowed film centers and received significant accolades. It won the Crystal Bear at the Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) as the best short film in the Generation KPlus category. It also received the Jury Award at SXSW and the Best U.S. Short Film at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. These accolades certainly placed “Closing Dynasty” as one of the most celebrated short films of the year.
Synopsis
Milinka Winata plays a 7 year old girl in the film and her name is Queenie. At a first glance, it seems as Queenie is trying to fundraise for her school. She approaches strangers as she strolls between subway stations and midtown sidewalks, requesting people to “donate” to her school’s basketball team. She has a polished delivery, as well as charming demeanor, and it looks like she has learned the art of persuasion.
Yet, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes obvious that her motives are far different than what was presumed. It turns out that Queenie is not saving up for school but is, in fact, attempting to aid her family. Her parents operate a small eatery that seems to be financially burdened, and Queenie, far head of her age, smartly tries to assist in whatever capacity she can.
Through the lens of a single day in the film, we witness Queenie’s selling flowers, impersonating grown-ups, and weaving sob stories to gain pity for small donations. All along the way, the audience is captivated by the manner in which a child integrates the burden of adult responsibilities and economic struggles. The film’s ending reveals Queenie slipping the money she earned into the family restaurant’s cash register—a tender and quiet gesture of love and inherently childlike responsibility.
Everything that had come before is transformed by this final moment. The audience is left not just with awe for Queenie’s resourcefulness, but also, along with a deeply yearning sadness for the pressure she has to endure, particularly for a child her age.
Milinka Winata plays the role of the Queen and she perfectly personifies the Queen while giving her a psychologically packed performance. In her performance she captures the emotional void of a person that has innocence and street smart bravado at the same time.
The roles of Queenie’s parents are played by Allen Chen and Eleven Lee. They appear n the movie’s closing scenes foreshadowing their lasting impact on on their daughter.
Amie Cazel plays a real estate agent and Sam Christopher Chow assumes the role of a wealthy businessman. Joe Chan plays a jeweler. Queenie has to deal with the adult world and these are the minor characters that she meets.
Every adult character depicted shapes the city differently giving it a wide ranging character. All of these adults seem to blend in to a singular courtesy that lifts the entire portrait and therefore making the city seem richer and more full of life. Queenie meets with each and every character and thus succeeds in giving the film an emotional coherence.
Direction and Visual Style
Lloyd Lee Choi’s direction is intentional and shows a great sense of empathy. Choi’s decision to shoot from Queenie’s eye level shapes the audience’s understanding of New York City as a place of towering buildings, uncertain strangers and boundless possibilities. The handheld cinematography by Christopher Lew contributes to the film’s naturalistic feel. A lot of the scenes were filmed in real time at actual locations, and many people were not aware that a production was taking place. This added to the natural feel of the film and Queenie’s interactions.
The film’s visual style is grounded but has a tender, fleeting quality. It could be the glow of the subway tunnel or the chaotic rhythm of a crowded sidewalk; the camera is always fixed on Queenie’s position within an overwhelming and yet, full of opportunities world.
Music and Sound
The soundtrack is simple, focused, and filled with emotion. The piano and saxophone motifs underscore Queenie’s steely resolve and loneliness with mastery of subtlety. The music complements the balance of whimsy and sorrow in the film’s emotional arc. It adds to the emotional weight of the story without overly dramatizing it.
Closing Dynasty Analysis: Themes and Tone
Analysis: Closing Dynasty is a character study and reflection on childhood, built around themes of familial bonds and resilience. The key themes of the film are:
Childhood in Adulthood’s Shadow – Queenie, the protagonist, is a child who seems to operate in a world of adults, possessing skills of astonishing maturity. Her deeds showcase that she knows the family is going through deep financial troubles.
Family Loyalty – The moral core of the film constitutes Queenie’s loyalty toward her parents and her willingness to assist them. The act of her slipping money into the cash register, though devoid of dialogue, speaks more than words can convey.
Economic Hardship – The film criticizes, though in a muted way, the extent to which families and children, in particular, have to bear the burden of economic hardship.
City Life as a Character – New York City, to her, is not just a setting, but also a lived character. The city is a character in the sense that the vibrance, the people that are full of life, and the Manhattan rush shapes a living place that Queenie explores and also confronts.
Deception and Truth – Queenie earns sympathy by telling small lies. However, her intentions are ultimately honest. This juxtaposition shows how children, as well as adults, navigate moral complexities as a means of survival.
Reception and Awards
Closing Dynasty earned widespread critical praise. It was appreciated for its storytelling and visuals, especially for Milinka Winata’s breakout performance. Critics repeatedly commented about the film’s heavy emotional impact and its quiet approach to storytelling. There are no dramatic breakdowns or soaring speeches, just visuals, small gestures, and meaningful silence.
It is testament to the film’s emotional depth that it has been celebrated in the American film market as well as internationally, especially in the youth and short film segments.
Conclusion
Closing Dynasty is one of the best short films that exemplifies the genre’s potential for delivering deep storytelling and emotional resonance. Through the eyes of Queenie, the viewers are shown a city filled with hardship and a glimmering world of hope. Her journey is marked with deep, quiet strength, youthful determination, and overwhelming familial love.
This movie in a way is successful in trusting its viewers to feel the value of the unspoken parts in the movie. With the aid of technology, Lloyd Lee Choi has been able to make a short film and its crucial runtime can linger, and through the story of Queenie, it serves as a reminder of the many struggles that kids and even the youngest people face.
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