The State of Sunshine

A 2007 MFA thesis project, "The State of Sunshine" tells the story of Danny and Lily, a pair of siblings who are illegal immigrants from China to the vibrant backdrop of the Florida Panhandle, and must turn to prostitution in order to repay their smugglers.

Director

Z. Eric Yang, MFA 2007
Originally from Shanghai, China, Eric attended Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he received a BA in materials sciences in 1996. in 2003, Eric graduated from the University of Memphis with an MA in Communications. From there he came to the FSU Film School, where he completed "The State of Sunshine" as his master's thesis project. He currently teaches Film and Video Production at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

Distinctions

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Student Academy Awards, Silver Medal

Directors Guild of America East Student Awards, First Place

Director's Comments

My inspiration for "The State of Sunshine" came from a news article my mom forwarded to me. It told the story of a teenage boy and his prostitute sister who made their living on the streets of Northern China. The sister fell in love with the wrong man, which ultimately led to her own destruction.

I usually didn’t like the tearjerker stories my mom sent me, which she always thought could be made into blockbusters. However, this one really touched me. It moved me that a woman in such a horrific environment was still able to love and to hope for a better future. It was even more inspiring for me to see how the unquenchable hope of the sister affected the brother in a world of hatred and despair. Although the end of that story was tragic and discouraging, the spirit of the brother and the sister lived on in my heart.

Having lived in the States for more than six years, I was fortunate to have seen the world from different perspectives. However, I had always been eager to tell stories that approach an audience with universal values. Underneath the many cultures and languages that seemingly divide America, there are emotions and values that connect our souls. That’s why I decided to take the heart of the story and make a film about survival and hope. I believe this is a story that can reach out to people of all races and national origins who understand the harshness of the world we live in, and how important it is to keep our dream alive in the face of adversity.

Crew and Cast