Let's Not Talk Anymore

Let s Not Talk Anymore is a multi-generational family portrait that explores themes of isolation, kinship, poverty, neglect, and creative impulses, told through the visual and auditory experiences of five women at age 15. The film seamlessly moves back and forth in time, revealing generational traumas and the struggles of these women to connect with each other and understand their own identities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2021
Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly

Let's Not Talk Anymore is a captivating visual narrative that weaves together the stories of five generations of women from Weng Pixin's family, each portrayed at the age of 15. The film delves into the intricate tapestry of their lives, revealing a rich family history marked by breakages, hardships, and emotional struggles.

The lineage of Weng Pixin's family is filled with poignant moments of separation and adoption. Her great-grandmother, Ku?n, is forcibly sent away from her family in South China, leaving behind a trail of heartache. Her grandmother, Mei, is adopted by a neighboring family to assist with household chores, further adding to the complexities of their family dynamics. Weng Pixin's mother, B?ng, faces the painful estrangement from her father, leaving her with a deep sense of isolation and longing.

At the center of Pixin's story lies her personal journey of isolation and rebellion against her mother. She explores her feelings of loneliness and longing, questioning the legacy that her family has inherited. Through her artistic vision, Pixin imagines a fictional future daughter, Rita, who confronts the complexities of her family's history and seeks to understand the woman she will become.

While spanning a century of time, Let's Not Talk Anymore seamlessly moves back and forth, allowing each woman to experience the fullness of life's joys and sorrows. Generational traumas are unveiled, and fraught relationships are passed down from mother to daughter. Creative impulses are stifled or nurtured, and the women grapple with poverty, neglect, and the challenges of separating themselves from their circumstances.

As the stories unfold, the women find solace and connection in various forms. They connect with plants, animals, and their own creative pursuits, using these outlets to express themselves and navigate the complexities of their lives. However, their attempts to connect with each other often prove challenging, as they struggle to bridge the gaps that have formed over time.

Weng Pixin's bold and vibrant paintings serve as a powerful testament to the emotional silences that exist between generations. Her artwork fills the aching gaps with beauty and emotion, creating complete worlds that these women inhabit. Each painting evokes a sense of longing and connection, capturing the essence of their experiences and the complexities of their relationships.

Let's Not Talk Anymore is a deeply personal and tender exploration of family history. It portrays the resilience and strength of these women as they navigate the challenges of their lives and strive to find meaning and connection amidst the complexities of their past. The film offers a poignant reflection on the enduring power of love, resilience, and the pursuit of personal growth.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 203 x 164 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781770464629