Born in Hyderabad to a Chinese-Indian father and a British mother, Sarah Li is a UK-based freelance photographer and filmmaker. Her 24-minute observational documentary, Shanghai Dry, was recently released to a great response.
“In 1956, a distant uncle of my grandfather who hailed from the same region in China moved from what was then Madras to set up this dry cleaning business in Secunderabad. The documentary is an ethnographical look into that shop, which is a hub of interesting characters from different walks of life.”
She adds, “I’m glad that the video is getting great response. My friends and relatives are all getting nostalgic after watching the people’s random conversations, heated arguments, etc, in the video. They could reminisce those emotional moments. This documentary meant a lot to me, and I feel a sense of connectivity that my roots belong to that era.”
Sarah has produced several short films, which have been screened at Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festivals. “I also have plans to send Shanghai Dry for the screening. I am still working on a few modalities and shall soon come up with a plan.”
The laundry shop has now been moved to a different location and is run by Yuking Peter Yu and his sister Yuchen (Sarah’s aunt). “My father helped set up the business back then, and our association with Sarah dates back 60 years. The video has kindled so much joy and prompts people to come back and visit the store. Back then, the street was called Oxford and now it is SD Road,” Yuking said.
Sarah’s maiden visit to the city in 2008 when she met her uncle (her father’s cousin) is quite a memorable one. “My uncle took me around the city including to Shanghai Dry Cleaners shop. He narrated me the stories of how my father and he used to hang out there after school. I felt like I belong here. It was an emotional moment. I could instantly connect with the place. However, I wasn’t making films at that time, so I went back to UK. When I visited the city again in 2015, I decided to make a film on the shop.”
