Hidden Letters
A Feature Documentary Film
Spanning past and present Hidden Letters follows two millennial Chinese women, connected by their fascination with the secret language of sisterhood and their desire to protect it.
Awards
Shortlist - Academy Awards Best Feature Documentary
World Premiere - Tribeca Film Festival
Spotlight Award Nominee - 16th Cinema Eye Honors
Best Feature Documentary Shortlist - 38th IDA Documentary Awards
Best Norwegian Documentary - Bergen International Film Festival
Grand Prize - Documentary Feature - Heartland International Film Festival
Special Jury Award - Nordic / Docs
Documentary Feature Jury Winner - Audience Award - Feature Film
Austin Asian American Film Festival
International Documentary Grand Jury Prize
Matt Decample Audience Choice AwardHot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Watch a clip here
For thousands of years, most Chinese women were forbidden to read or write. So the women of Jiangyong county, Hunan province, created their own way to communicate: Nüshu, a script men could not decipher. Never spoken, women would chant Nüshu songs or poems at gatherings or embroider them on fans. Over time, Nüshu faded from use but Hu Xin, a young woman from the region, and Shanghai soprano Simu are determined to keep this unique script alive. Lamentably gender discrimination is still alive and well and both women struggle to be heard, much like their sisters of yore.