On a Thursday in New York, a new chapter of authentic storytelling centered on Chinese immigrant experiences officially opened, as principal production launched for *Lily in the Cracks*, the highly anticipated second entry in the *New York Stories* independent film anthology. A kickoff ceremony and press conference drew a diverse crowd of industry creators, cast members, and community representatives from across New York’s Chinese and Asian American networks, gathering to celebrate a project rooted in real-life struggle and quiet triumph.
Written and directed by New York-based Chinese filmmaker Wang Ziqi, the film features a standout lead cast including acclaimed Hong Kong performer Irene Wan and veteran Chinese actress Wang Ji. Unlike generic portrayals of immigrant life, the *New York Stories* series is crafted to trace the interconnected journeys of multiple generations of Chinese migrants, whose lives have been forged by uncertainty, hardship, and unyielding perseverance. *Lily in the Cracks* narrows its focus to people living on the economic and social margins of the iconic metropolis, unpacking how they navigate overlapping social, economic, and emotional pressures while evolving through their challenges.
The film’s evocative title draws on a powerful metaphor: a lily that blooms and grows even when rooted in harsh, unforgiving cracks. This imagery mirrors the overlapping experiences of immigrants caught between two cultural worlds, women pushing back against systemic and personal obstacles, and entire overseas Chinese communities building meaningful lives between disparate social spheres. For Wang, the project did not emerge from abstract creative thinking—it grew directly from the real people and stories she encountered during her years living in New York. The director noted that the city holds a unique story for every person who calls it home, and she began developing New York-centered script projects back in 2022, gradually expanding her work into the full anthology that exists today.
Wang acknowledged that creating independent Chinese-led cinema outside of China comes with steep structural barriers, but added that bringing thoughtful, authentic stories to screen has been a goal she has pursued relentlessly. Like her characters, Wang has grappled with balancing personal creative dreams against the practical realities of building a career in New York, a tension that sits at the heart of the film’s narrative. Through the *New York Stories* series, she hopes audiences do not only connect with the vivid, compelling narratives set against the city’s skyline—they will also draw inspiration from the determined individuals working to build full, purposeful lives in a new country.
For lead actress Irene Wan, the project felt like a deeply personal fit. Having collaborated with Wang for many years, she was immediately drawn to the nuanced script and felt an immediate emotional connection to her character. The role explores layered themes, from complex family dynamics and intergenerational rifts between mothers and daughters to emotional accountability and women’s lifelong personal growth. With a decades-long career spanning film, television, and music, Wan explained that the character aligns with her own long-held belief in perseverance and her hopes for the next generation of women. Through her performance, she aims to deliver a message of female empowerment, encouraging women to chase their own dreams while growing both personally and professionally.
Supporting cast member Chang Guiruisi, who portrays a mother in the film, expanded on the story’s core themes: her character was once a promising young designer who set aside her own creative ambitions after immigrating to the U.S. to prioritize family obligations. The role, Chang noted, lays bare the quiet tension many immigrant women experience between their personal dreams and everyday reality, as well as the intergenerational and emotional divides that shape many immigrant family structures.
Producer Max Ren emphasized that the film’s focus on women’s experiences, family bonds, and Chinese immigrant life gives it sharp contemporary relevance. Works centered on overseas Chinese communities, he argued, create a critical opportunity for broader audiences to deepen their understanding of the community’s shared experiences, core values, and long-held aspirations. Ryan Su, who appeared in *River Cards*, the first entry in the *New York Stories* series and works as a senior New York law enforcement inspector, shared that he hopes the project will foster greater unity, mutual aid, and resource sharing within overseas Chinese communities. He also expressed a desire for international audiences to move beyond one-dimensional views of Chinese communities as solely focused on economic activity, and gain a more holistic understanding of their diverse lives.
Song Miao, director of the Canada-China International Film Festival, observed that feature-length Chinese-language films centered on immigrant experiences have grown increasingly rare in recent years. Stories of this nature, she argued, carry urgent contemporary resonance and have the power to connect with audiences across cultural backgrounds. As production gets underway across New York, the creative team remains committed to using the city’s distinctive energy and landscape as a backdrop for telling intimate stories of Chinese women and immigrant families as they search for belonging, pursue their dreams, and build lives between two cultures.
