Feminist Thriller Set in Mongolia Launches at Tokyo Market

Women’s empowerment meets Mongolian mysticism:Where Mountain Women SingA genre-bending film from director Zhang Juefang. Tokyo Gap Financing Market 60% of its $800,000 budget has been secured. Part of the project market TIFFCOMContent marketplace in alliance with the Tokyo International Film Festival.

The film follows documentary filmmaker Stephanie as she explores a remote Mongolian village ruled by female shamans. Although she is initially attracted to this utopian matriarchy, she uncovers disturbing traditions such as forced childbearing and forbidden love, leading to a moral crisis that challenges her understanding of power and faith.

“The genesis of ‘Where the Mountain Women Sing’ is deeply personal,” says Zhang. Diversity. “Growing up with the folklore and shamanic traditions of northern China, I have always been fascinated by the tension between the mystical and the quotidian, the ancient and the modern.”

Zhang frames the project as a feminist thriller that examines how tradition can be both liberating and restrictive. “While the village may seem like a utopia where women hold power, it is also a place where they are still bound by invisible chains: the rules of the Mountain God, social pressures, and ritual traditions that determine their fate,” she explains.

Senior Taiwanese producer Patrick Mao Huang participated in the project and cited its “unique blend of mysticism and modernity” as a key appeal. “The remote Mongolian setting and cyberpunk aesthetic make it a visually innovative project with strong festival potential,” notes Huang. The director’s proof-of-concept short has already proven his ability to bring the ambitious vision to life.

The production team, consisting of When Pigs Fly Films, Huang’s Flash Forward Entertainment and 70 Steps, plans to shoot during the 2025 snow season. They are currently seeking additional co-producers, financiers, distributors and an international sales company.

“Ultimately, I want ‘Where the Mountain Women Sing’ to be a deeply emotional and thought-provoking film that resonates with audiences on multiple levels. This isn’t just about one woman’s journey; It’s about women’s collective struggle against the systems that try to define and limit them,” says Zhang. “By blending the beauty of the Mongolian landscape with an eerie, mystical atmosphere, I aim to create a film that is visually stunning while conveying a strong message about the need for personal liberation, self-discovery and cultural preservation.”

Zhang is also developing “When Pigs Fly,” a U.S.-Taiwan co-production black comedy about Hollywood scams, and “White Island,” a Thai-French feminist horror film exploring neo-colonial practices and cult activities.