Yifan Bao's debut is an Satoshi Kon-esque political, dystopian fiction about "The Town" where everyone wears a mask. These are used as measure of status and characters. For Ruoqing the prospect of wearing a mask of her own grows slimmer by the day. Her younger brother Laiyong doesn't make things easier whenever he stirs a ruckus at school. When Ruoqing gathers the courage to confront her personal plagues, she uncovers family secrets that may have best been left hidden.

This program screened as part of Kaboom Animation Festival 2020-2021

Showing in this program

The Town

• Yifan Bao / Leo Zou
• China, 2020
• 27 min.

The quaint town is full of exquisite makeover faces, which are used as a measure of status and characters. After mother died, sister Ruoqing and younger brother Laiyong keep each other alive in the town. The sister works hard in the makeover parlor and hopes to get everyone’s approval and qualifications. However, the brother hates makeover, resisting in isolation. The conflicts are intensifying...