Finding Yingying

Finding Yingying
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJiayan "Jenny" Shi
Produced by
Cinematography
  • Jiayan "Jenny" Shi
  • Shilin Sun
Edited byJohn Farbrother
Music by
  • Nathan Halpern
  • Chris Ruggiero
Production
companies
Distributed byMTV Documentary Films
Release dates
  • August 27, 2020 (2020-08-27) (Middlebury)
  • December 11, 2020 (2020-12-11) (United States)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
Languages
  • English
  • Mandarin

Finding Yingying is a 2020 American documentary film directed and produced by Jiayan "Jenny" Shi about the disappearance of college student Yingying Zhang and her family's search to find her.

The film had its world premiere at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival on August 27, 2020. It was released on December 11, 2020, by MTV Documentary Films.

Synopsis

Yingying Zhang, a college student studying in the United States from China, has mysteriously disappeared after getting into a car. Her family arrives from China distraught looking for answers to discover she has been murdered, as they fight for justice and to bring their daughter's remains back home.

Release

The film was initially set to have its world premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020, however, the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2] The film won the Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature.[3] Instead, the film had its world premiere at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival on August 27, 2020.[4] In October 2020, MTV Documentary Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[5] It also screened at DOC NYC on November 11, 2020.[6] It was released on December 11, 2020.[7]

Reception

Critical reception

Finding Yingying positive reviews from film critics. It holds an approval rating of 100% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 25 reviews, with an average of 7.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A compassionate look at a missing person's case, Finding Yingying's touching sincerity will resonate with audiences thanks to its elevated storytelling."[8]

References

  1. ^ "Finding Yingying". South by Southwest. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "City of Austin Cancels SXSW March Events". South by Southwest. March 6, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "Celebrating SXSW: Finding Yingying wins prize; The Dilemma of Desire thrills". Kartemquin Films. March 24, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "Finding Yingying". Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  5. ^ Welk, Brian (October 8, 2020). "SXSW Winners 'Beautiful Something Left Behind' and 'Finding Yingying' Nabbed by MTV Documentary Films (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  6. ^ "Finding Yingying". DOC NYC. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Erbland, Kate (December 10, 2020). "'Finding Yingying' Trailer: MTV Documentary Films Brings Jenny Shi's Festival Favorite to Virtual Cinemas". IndieWire. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "Finding Yingying". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.