"belonging" is a compelling six-part short film series directed by jin yuen, which delves into the emotional lives of individuals experiencing displacement and the quest for identity and connection. each short film in the series features a different character navigating personal struggles with belonging, exploring how they challenge or redefine their sense of self in the face of external pressures or societal expectations.
the series highlights themes of cultural alienation, self-acceptance, and the emotional toll of striving for belonging within a context that feels indifferent or hostile. yuen's nuanced storytelling brings to light the complexities of belonging as a fluid and dynamic experience, offering a space for reflection on how each individual contends with feelings of displacement and attempts to forge new connections. through this multi-layered exploration, "belonging" challenges the viewer to reconsider what it means to find a place or identity in a world that is constantly shifting;
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
pt. 1; "cigarette fog"
"cigarette fog", a personal intimate story about a nostalgic childhood, masking the displacement of being rejected from their home, caused by childhood traumas & domestic abuse.
creative direction:
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
direction, writing, cinematography, editing & voice acting
jin yuen
pt. 2; "shared memories"
"recuerdo compartido", not quite spanish, not quite belgian, not quite accepted, not quite acknowledged. natalia has found home & family within the spanish expats in brussels sharing the same city, culture & experiences.
creative direction:
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
direction, writing, & voice acting
natalia plaza thomsen
cinematography & editing
jin yuen
subtitles
arturo navarro villacampa
pt. 3; "timeloop"
"timeloop", a short but sweet poem about losing one's belonging and rediscovering this feeling of belonging as a cycle of life.
creative direction:
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
direction, writing, & voice acting
gwen zervos
cinematography & editing
jin yuen
pt. 4; "come back home"
“come back home”, longing for a home caused sophie to move to another city, freely exploring herself as a person, her growth & her newfound home & hope in the people.
creative direction:
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
direction, writing, & voice acting
sophie buizert
cinematography & editing
jin yuen
pt. 5; "running"
“running”, running from the routines of life caused yip to run away from his own belonging, a short film about running away and re-accepting the past to embrace it.
due to a personal favor, this film is only viewable with permission.
creative direction:
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
direction, writing, & voice acting
yip van ravens
cinematography & editing
jin yuen
pt. 6; "young mirror man"
"young mirror man", a love letter to a stranger that happens to be himself, reflecting on what made and breaks him to this day, trying to find his place through acceptance.
creative direction:
jin yuen, natalia plaza thomsen, gwen zervos,
sophie buizert, juul rademaker & yip van ravens
direction, writing, & voice acting
julius rademaker
cinematography & editing
julius rademaker
