By: Evelyn Ross
Rochester, NY – May 3, 2025 — At the intersection of language, culture, and emotion lies Lost in Translation, a short film that quietly captivated audiences during its screening at the 67th Rochester International Film Festival (RIFF) this past weekend. Directed by Chinese visual effects artist and filmmaker Yachan Yuan, the film reimagines three untranslatable words from different cultures into vivid moving imagery—transforming them into shared emotional landscapes.
Held at the historic Dryden Theatre inside the George Eastman Museum, RIFF is one of the longest-running short film festivals in the world, and this year’s program featured a curated selection of global short films. Among them, Lost in Translation stood out not through grand spectacle, but through its deep introspection and visual poetry.
The film is structured around three culturally unique words that have no direct English equivalent:
- Mångata (Swedish) – “the road-like reflection of the moonlight on the water.”
- Gluggaveður (Icelandic) – “weather best appreciated through a window.”
- Saudade (Portuguese) – “a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia.”
Each word inspired a visual vignette, layered with atmospheric textures, quiet rhythms, and a distinct emotional undertone. Using a combination of green screen compositing, Unreal Engine environments, and practical textures, Yuan constructs an immersive experience that aims to transcend literal translation—offering viewers a chance to “feel” what cannot always be expressed in words.
“Language can sometimes be limiting,” Yuan shared during the post-screening Q&A. “I wanted to create something that communicates beyond words—something that speaks directly to the heart.”
The filmmaker, who holds an MFA in Visual Effects from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and an MA from Aalto University, is known for merging traditional aesthetics with emerging digital tools. Lost in Translation is part of her ongoing exploration of linguistic nuance, identity, and emotional memory, which has also been showcased in international exhibitions and design festivals from London to Florence.
Yuan’s practice is deeply personal. Born and raised in China, later studying in Europe, and now working in the United States, her work reflects a constant negotiation between languages, places, and cultural expectations. “As someone who has lived across continents, I often find myself unable to fully express certain feelings in any one language,” she explained. “This film is my attempt to visualize the silence between words.”
Audience members at RIFF responded with heartfelt applause and reflective comments, many sharing how the visuals reminded them of their own childhood memories, feelings of longing, or the serenity of natural light. The film’s deliberate pacing and lack of spoken dialogue allowed viewers to project their own interpretations, offering a more intimate experience.
The Rochester International Film Festival, established in 1959, has built a reputation for spotlighting innovative short-form storytelling. “This year’s lineup reflected a growing interest in hybrid storytelling—films that mix visual effects, poetry, and documentary tones,” said one of the curators. Lost in Translation was chosen to be the official visual banner in the RIFF website design: https://rochesterfilmfest.org.
The film has also received recognition at other festivals and design awards, including the London Design Awards (Gold Winner) and the AVA Digital Awards (Platinum Winner), showcasing its resonance beyond the film circuit.
As visual effects and immersive storytelling continue to reshape the creative industries, Yuan’s work offers a unique example of how technology can amplify, rather than dilute, human emotion. Her use of digital compositing is not about spectacle, but about introspection. It invites the viewer to slow down, to listen closely, and perhaps to recall a word—or a feeling—they once thought could not be named.
Lost in Translation is more than a film. It is a quiet reminder that some of the most meaningful things in life are not always meant to be explained, but to be felt.
Published by Jeremy S.
