Jude Shih (MM `23) and Mengxue Tan (MM `23) collaborated on score for Duet.
NYU Screen Scoring congratulates Jude Shih (MM `23) and Mengxue Tan (MM `23) who collaborated on one of the Student Academy Award winning documentaries of 2023.
Shih and Tan scored Duet directed by NYU Journalism alum Lyuwei Chen. The synopsis reads: Having forged his own path out of desperation, MacArthur Genius award-winning musician Bright Sheng describes his experience of becoming a musician during the Cultural Revolution in China. Being a musician was the only way he could embrace his destiny, but it is a path his talented 11-year-old daughter isn't sure she wants to pursue herself.
“I would like to thank the NYU Screen Scoring program for making this collaboration possible, said Jude Shih. "Duet was truly a unique project for me. Lyuwei Chen, the director of Duet, demonstrates, with outstanding skill and talent, how a traumatic historical event impacted a number of Chinese musicians across multi generations. Regardless of what the difficulties are, including overwhelming historical circumstances or familial expectations, the film's musicians persisted in searching for their position in the world, which deeply impressed and touched me. While scoring this film, I aimed to convey my utmost respect and admiration for them.”
“What struck me the most about this film was the way the character Professor Bright Sheng interacted with his daughter Fayfay," said Menqxue Tan. "I could relate to the film because my father is a musician. He nurtured my interest in music when I was young. Consequently, I approached the music score for this film with genuine emotion. Working with Lyuwei was a great experience. She is a director with a strong musical background and a clear understanding of music. I was also fortunate to collaborate with Jude. Although we were responsible for different scenes, the result turned out well.”
As a Student Academy award-winning film, Duet is eligible for the 2023 Oscars.
View the official announcement of the 2023 winners on the Academy Awards website.
