Corpse Fishing
Written and directed by Jean Liu
Starring Harmonie He, Jizhong Zhang and Wayne Chang
Unrated
Runtime: 16 Minutes

by Mo Moshaty, Staff Writer

Corpse Fishing by Jean Liu is a haunting short film that delves into grief, loss and found family in a small Chinese community. We follow film Yan (Harmonie He), a young girl searching for her missing father. Yan has a series of old jobs to make her way–renting out her mobile karaoke machine to the locals, becoming a makeshift tobacconist selling cigarettes and cigars–anything to make ends meet. After the horrible stench of his ship has driven any dock revelers away, Yan meets Old Bo (Jizhong Zhang), who retrieves corpses from the river to return to grieving families. Yan sees this as her only form of closure on her father and begs to accompany him on his journeys.

Evolving from initial terseness and reluctance, the bond between Yan and Old Bo grows slowly to mutual respect and solace. The two are searching for purpose and a tie to not only something greater than themselves but to someone who cares for them. Yan’s determination and resilience match beautifully with Bo’s curmudgeonly, plucky attitude providing much need levity through the film’s heavy theme. Together, they navigate the river’s treacherous waters while confronting the complexities of loss, survival, and the deep pain of unresolved grief. Their individual loneliness is palpable, driving the film’s grief-laden engine that much faster.

Liu’s storytelling, paired with Pip White’s breathtaking cinematography, transforms the river into both a graveyard and a lifeline. The short’s slow and deliberate pace is anything but boring and allows the audience to feel the weight of their loss, of death and loneliness that hangs over the river and air: a gorgeous juxtaposition to the growing connection between Yan and Old Bo. Their shared and individual journeys not only explore a deep, personal loss but also the struggle, durability and dignity of small, marginalized communities.

Premiering at Tribeca and selected for HollyShorts, Corpse Fishing exemplifies the power of BIPOC storytelling and has qualified for 2025 Oscars consideration. It’s a heart-wrenching portrayal of two souls finding solace in one another amidst tragedy, leaving a lasting emotional impact.