“Sunken Plum (2017)” (original title Chen Li) is a Chinese–Spanish short film by award-winning filmmakers Roberto F. Canuto and Xu Xiaoxi, known for their poetic and socially engaged cinema. The film represents the final chapter of the trilogy “Invisible Chengdu”, following “Ni Jing: Thou Shalt Not Steal” (2013) and “Floating Melon” (2015).

Synopsis:
Working at a nightclub in Chengdu, Li Wanying, a transgender woman, receives an unexpected visit from her cousin bringing tragic news: her estranged mother has died. As the family’s only “son,” she feels compelled to return to her remote hometown for the funeral — but to do so, she must once again hide her true identity. The journey forces her to confront the loss of a mother who never knew her as she truly was, and to face the painful collision between duty, love, and authenticity.

Inspired by real events and censored online videos showing the abuse of transgender people in China, Sunken Plum sheds light on the marginalisation and daily struggles of this community. Conceived as an act of visibility and empathy, the film reveals the contrast between urban and rural attitudes toward gender identity and the persistence of prejudice disguised as tradition.

Since its premiere, Sunken Plum has been showcased in nearly 200 international film festivals, earning more than 30 awards around the world. It has screened at prestigious Oscar®-qualifying festivals such as Raindance (London), Outfest (Los Angeles), and Seminci (Valladolid, Spain), among many others — reaching audiences in over 50 countries.

Produced independently in China through crowdfunding, the film was made possible thanks to supporters who believe that cinema can challenge silence and inspire change.

🎥 Genre: Drama / LGBTQ+ / Human Rights
🕒 Runtime: 19 min 55 s
🌍 Language: Chinese (Sichuanese dialect, with optional subtitles in English, Spanish, French and other languages)
📽️ Format: 4K Digital
🎵 Music: Andrea Centazzo
👥 Cast: Gu Xiang, Yu Yingmeng, Tian Peng, Li Lierong, Chen Jiaqi, Yao Zhexing
🔗 Official Website: https://almostred.com/ciruela-de-agua-dulce/

🎞️ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7335952/
🎬 TMDb: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/511931-chen-li
📚 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunken_Plum
⭐ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/sunken-plum/
🎥 FilmAffinity: https://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film379644.html
▶️ Trailer: https://youtu.be/MIZba9snn14

Tagline: “In a society that silences difference, her return home becomes an act of quiet rebellion.”

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🔑 Sunken Plum, Chen Li, Chinese transgender short film, LGBTQ cinema, Invisible Chengdu trilogy, Roberto F. Canuto, Xu Xiaoxi, Almost Red Productions, poetic realism, gender identity, family and tradition.