Feature Talent: Vivian Dawson in Swallowtail and Dragonfly
Courtesy of Swallowtail and Dragonfly - Vivian Dawson as Wanping Xu
Vivian Dawson is a New Zealand-Chinese actor, model, and host. He is featured in two of the highest-grossing Chinese films, Tiny Times 3 (2014) and Tiny Times 4 (2015), which helped him garner a household name throughout Greater China and Mandarin-speaking countries.
For 2024, Vivian will star in the up-coming period drama film called “Swallowtail and Dragonfly", produced, directed and written by Julia Jay Pierrepont III. “Swallowtail and Dragonfly” is a period piece and based off of a true story set in Shanghai during the World War 2.
Vivian did an amazing job playing the role of Wanping Xu, a loving husband that would do anything to take care of his family, and is ultimately separated from his family during the war. Being a seasoned actor, Vivian’s experience was invaluable on set. He often would take time to work the scenes with other actors, helping guide them to bring out their best performances. Director Juilia Pierrepont said “Vivian gave a heartfelt performance, bringing us all to tears”.
Director of Swallowtail and Dragonfly, Julia Jay Pierrepont III and Vivian Dawson and Vanessa Yao
Film Plot Summary:
Attractive, intelligent and gifted and one of China's most famous female painters and poets, Lianxia "Ziyi" Zhou, and her talented husband, Wanping Xu, took Shanghai by storm in the 1930's as a part of an iconic circle of famous artists and writers that included the world-famous Chang Dai-chien, Xu Beihong, Xu Zhimo, Jiang Biwei, Lu Xiaoman, Wu Hufan, Bertrand Russell and Pearl Buck. They redefied the conventions of the time and shaped the cultural path China has followed to this day. But, when the world around them erupted into war, a cruel twist of fate tears Ziyi and Wanping apart and plunges her and their five children into dire straits that left them struggling to survive. Walking in beauty, with a heart inspired by art and the love for her country and her missing husband to sustain her, Ziyi kept her family and her dreams alive in a nation ravaged by war and political strife. Until a miracle happened.
The film is slated to release in the summer of 2024.
Director of Swallowtail and Dragonfly, Julia Jay Pierrepont III and Vivian Dawson
Filmmakers:
Director: Julia Jay Pierrepont III
Writer: Julia Jay Pierrepont III
Executive Producers: Erik Lundmark
Producer: Julia Jay Pierrepont III
Cinematographer: Jeffrey Chu
Editor: Erik Lundmark
Composer: Erik Lundmark
Costume Director: Selena Xin Jin
Art Director: Elise Blankenhorn
Production: Pierrepont Productions
Cast:
Vanessa Yao as Lianxia Ziyi Zhou
Vivian Dawson as Wanping Xu
Russell Wong as Stuart Morton
Richard Ouyang as Mr. Song
Jim Lau as Master Jiang
