Some stories are born to be immortalized through art, and Chrysalis is precisely one of them. The new film marks the feature-length debut of renowned artist, philanthropist, and producer Sir Daniel K. Winn.
Shot on location in Vietnam, Chrysalis brings to life universal emotions like loss, hope, and the search for identity. Inspired by Winn himself between the ages of six and nine, the story follows a resourceful young boy who clings to the wisdom of his grandmother while navigating the emotional impact of growing up in a fractured family. The history was adapted from Winn’s forthcoming memoir.
Blending creative forces from opposite sides of the globe, the project brings together WS Productions, led by Winn and longtime partner Randall J. Slavin in the U.S., with the Vietnamese production house led by acclaimed filmmaker and actress Trương Ngọc Ánh. The result is a culturally resonant work that bridges continents while honoring Vietnam’s artistic heritage on an international platform.
“Vietnam is a country of immense cultural richness and beauty,” Winn said. “It is an honor to partner with Trương Ngọc Ánh and her team to bring ‘Chrysalis’ to life.”
From a technical and storytelling perspective, Chrysalis is helmed by director J. Robert Schulz (Now You See Me 2, Patriots Day) and features a leading performance by iconic actress Kieu Chinh. Returning to Vietnam at 88, Chinh brings to life the role of Winn’s grandmother with grace and depth, adding emotional weight to the story’s intimate core. The screenplay was written by Andrew Creme.
After receiving acclaim for the award-winning shorts Creation and Ectropy—both part of a trilogy inspired by his philosophy of existential surrealism—Sir Daniel K. Winn takes a bold step into feature-length cinema. Chrysalis is an act of remembrance, a gesture of gratitude, and a moving example of cinema’s power to heal and transform.
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