The Speech 2020
In May 2003, Beijing braces under the shadow of SARS as the World Health Organization's pressure forces the Chinese government to acknowledge the outbreak's severity, sealing the city's fate behind closed doors.
Director: Haohao Yan
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Speech (2020) about?
*The Speech* follows three eight-year-old girls in a Beijing boarding school during the 2003 SARS outbreak, as the city shuts down under government lockdown. Stranded and facing an uncertain world, they must navigate fear and isolation while trying to comprehend the chaos around them.
Who directed The Speech?
The Speech was directed by Haohao Yan, bringing a sensitive and immersive perspective to this intimate portrayal of childhood during crisis.
Who stars in The Speech?
The film stars Gloria Xiong, Chedi Chang, Harmonie He, Briana Liu, Todd Lien, and Lee Chen in pivotal roles.
Is The Speech (2020) worth watching?
While *The Speech* is a short film without an IMDb rating, its emotional depth and historical relevance make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven dramas. The film's focus on youthful resilience in the face of crisis offers a unique and poignant viewing experience.
How long is The Speech?
The Speech has a runtime of 25 minutes.
About The Speech (2020) — Childhood resilience during SARS lockdown in Beijing
In May 2003, Beijing braces under the shadow of SARS as the World Health Organization's pressure forces the Chinese government to acknowledge the outbreak's severity, sealing the city's fate behind closed doors. Amidst the eerie stillness of a private boarding school in lockdown, three eight-year-old girls grapple with fear, confusion, and the sudden absence of their familiar world. Haohao Yan's poignant short film *The Speech (2020)* immerses viewers in the raw emotions of childhood resilience, where innocence meets the weight of reality. Through subtle storytelling and atmospheric tension, the film captures the universal struggle to make sense of chaos while yearning for connection. With a delicate balance of heart and urgency, it becomes a testament to the unspoken resilience of the young and the unyielding spirit that thrives even in isolation.
The cast, led by Gloria Xiong, Chedi Chang, and Harmonie He, embodies the authenticity of youthful perspectives, their performances grounding the film's emotional core. As the girls navigate the uncertainty of their locked-down world, their journey becomes a metaphor for the broader human experience—confronting the unknown with curiosity and courage. *The Speech* blends drama with a touch of melancholy, offering a snapshot of history through the eyes of those who lived it unknowingly as children.