An old writer, Albert, discovers that his female pen pal for 40 years does not exist. However, the unfamiliar words that appeared on the letterhead caught his attention.
She is Real is based on the premise and background of Albert’s imagined pen pal, Dolores, to tell the story of the lonely Albert’s 40 years of perseverance and how Dolores has become his belief in survival. What one needs is a pillar of the spirit to be able to dock in a safe harbor when one is vulnerable inside.
The movie’s theme is imaginary friends, and the kernel is children’s psychological problems. The film shows Albert’s inner loneliness and pain through the worldview of Dolores, a pen pal of the old writer Albert. The story unfolds mainly from the older man’s point of view. But it is worth reflecting on the fact that it took him 40 years to get out of his pain. This kind of imagination and escapism accompanied him throughout his life, reflecting side by side that the root of the problem lies in Albert’s lack of care and companionship from his relatives in his childhood and that the inner pressure of a person will visualize what he expects or fears and produce an imaginary friend.
Most people need someone or something to be there, to understand, to trust, as a way to break the emptiness and loneliness. In terms of the film’s tone, along with the deepening of the plot and the change of the protagonist’s character, the classical and cozy atmosphere turns into a deep and sad one, revealing the helplessness of the character’s heart.
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Director/Screen Writer/Editor/Sound Mixer: Hanqi Zhang
Producer: Shristi
Director of Photography: Jiatong Zhao
Production Designer: Jiaqi Zhang
Sound Recordist: Yichun Li
Gaffer: Rayue Tian
First AD: Qiyue Liu
Colourist: Manyi Zhang
Composer: Tim Jayatilaka