Skip to main content
The Glass Essays film image; man lying on a bed in a darkened room

The Glass Essays

玻璃随笔

VIFF Short Forum

North American Premiere

Unable to sleep, a young man follows a mysterious sound across the river and through the forest.

Director
Cast

Yin Zixuan, Cao Hui, Chen Bendao, Ding Dehui

Credits
Country of Origin

UK/China

Year

2024

Language

No Dialogue

Film Contact
Links
18+
17 min
Experimental & Avant Garde Shorts Talent to Watch

Credits & Director

Producer

Cici Peng

Screenwriter

River Yuhao Cao

Cinematography

Leslie Y. Lin

Editor

River Yuhao Cao

Art Director

River Yuhao Cao

River Yuhao Cao headshot

River Yuhao Cao

River Yuhao Cao, born 1997 in China, is a moving image and performance artist based in London. He is inspired by the performative aspects of mourning in regional Chinese folk traditions, and explores them as a regenerative practice. His work has been featured in Visions du Réel, Nyon; B3 Biennial of the Moving Image, Frankfurt; Tofu Collective, Copenhagen; Forma Arts and Media, London; Reference Point, 180 Studios, London; Sadie Coles HQ, London; Saatchi Gallery, London; Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham; Spike Island, Bristol; and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London; among others.

Photo by Mike Olliston

Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World

Dir. Sasha Waters
91 min

Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Schindler Space Architect

Dir. Valentina Ganeva
93 min

RM Schindler is now recognized as one of the most important modernist architects of the era, the man who laid the groundwork for what is now considered the epitome of California indoor-outdoor living. This doc sheds light on a previously unsung genius.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Cookie Queens

Dir. Alysa Nahmias
91 min

A documentary about the annual Girl Scouts' cookie sale is probably not high on your list of must-sees, but don't be too sure — this movie is a delight, a rare celebration of girlhood, supportive family relations, and the art of salesmanship.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Green Valley

Dir. Morgan Tams
84 min

In this lyrical observational doc, Morgan Tams captures the rhythms of a timeless way of life on an off-the-grid farming community on Cortes Island. Join us for a filmmaker Q&A on August 7 and 8.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

A Simple Machine

Dir. Mark Hoffman
97 min

Cutting costs, swapping four wheels for two, Nick is downsizing to pay off his student debt. It's a path which leads to savings he had not anticipated, even if his girlfriend thinks he's losing it (and she may be right). A lean, low budget gem.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Sheep in the Box

Dir. Hirokazu Koreeda
126 min

Shoplifters director Koreeda probes the complexities of grief, love and human connection in the age of AI in this thoughtful, moving drama.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre