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Leftover Women

Documentary Competition

World Premiere

Israel | 85 MINUTES | Mandarin | English subtitles

LEFTOVER WOMEN

Documentary
“You are not beautiful…” a dating counselor bluntly states to 34-year-old Beijing lawyer Qiu HuaMei in a soul-crushing interview, while suggesting she lower her standards—finding an educated man who respects women is unrealistic. HuaMei is one of the millions whom the Chinese government labels sheng nu, “leftover ladies” who haven’t married by age 27. Similarly stymied are Xu Min, a 28-year-old who lives at home with her exacting mother who disapproves of her prospects, and 36-year-old Gai Qi, who is dating a younger man even though she knows that his family won't accept her.

China’s one-child policy has created an untenable situation for many stigmatized single women who are under immense pressure from society, from families afraid of losing face, and from a government desperate to maintain population numbers. Filmmakers Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia explore this phenomenon, from the spectacle of awkward public dating contests and government sponsored matchmaking festivals to parents' marriage markets and excruciating family encounters. Leftover Women is a poignant and ultimately hopeful profile of three brave women seeking to define life and love on their own terms.

—Mimi Brody

CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia

Shosh Shlam is an award-winning director and producer whose work includes Web Junkie, which screened at Sundance, and Last Journey Into Silence, which screened at the Kracow Film Festival. Hilla Medalia’s award-winning documentaries include Dancing In Jaffa (Tribeca) and The Go Go Boys (Cannes).
Director
Shosh Shlam, Hilla Medalia
Producer
Hilla Medalia, Shosh Shlam
Screenwriter
Shosh Shlam, Hilla Medalia
Cinematographer
Shen Mi, Fan Jian
Editor
Joelle Alexis
Composer
Ran Bagno
Executive Producer
Mati Kohavi, Adi Kohavi, Maya Kohavi, Yona Wiesenthal, Vesna Cudic
Associate Producer
Sabine Bubeck-Paaz
Co-Producer
ZDF/ARTE, Yes Docu
US Distributor
Metfilm Sales
Cast
Stefanie Qiu Hua Mei, Iris Gai Qi, Kelly Xu Min

CONTACTS

International Sales Contact
Vesna Cudic
MetFilm Sales
London, W5 5EP
Phone: +44 20 8280 9117
vesna@metfilm.co.uk
Print Source
Mariel Ostrower
Medalia Productions
Tel Aviv, 6511304
Phone: +972 52 3301334
mariel@medaliaproductions.com
US Sales Contact
Vesna Cudic
MetFilm Sales
London, W5 5EP
Phone: +44 20 8280 9117
vesna@metfilm.co.uk
Press Contact
Sylvia Desrochers
MPRM Communications
Los Angeles, 90036 CA
Phone: 2138402309
sdesrochers@mprm.com