STUDY HARD

2018 | Short | Horror | 1 min | 1.33 | Color | Digital | Taiwan

 

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"Ahhhh!" 

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SYNOPSIS

After a teenager senses a mysterious presence stalking her in the dark, she must stay intensely focused on her studies or risk losing her life.​

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DIRECTOR STATEMENT

"Study Hard" is a horror short that explores the anxiety of growing up within an education system shaped by the Confucian ideal: “Only the learned rank high; all other trades rank low.” The film portrays the helplessness that students experience and suggests that, regardless of their passions or plans, acquiring knowledge is crucial for navigating society. "Study Hard" was made as a response to my struggle with credentialism. But over time, I realized that ignorance itself can be even more frightening. This inspired me to rewrite the story as a cautionary tale for young people about what could happen if they neglect their studies.