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 Award

  • Hot 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.

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Wuhan Wuhan (Emmy®-Nominee)