Directed by Mark Wang and produced by NTDTV Canada and PureRealm Pictures Inc., Symphony of Light and Shadow is a character-driven English-language drama premiering exclusively on GJW+ on May 10, 2026 — Mother’s Day. The film is included with all GJW+ subscriptions.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Toronto, this coming-of-age story follows two teenage cousins who couldn't be more different — yet find themselves drawn together in ways neither expected. As they navigate the push and pull of growing up, caught between where they come from and who they want to become, they discover that the strongest bonds are often the ones we least see coming. Warm, funny, and quietly moving, it's a universal story about family, identity, and the unspoken lessons mothers pass down to their daughters.
Two worlds collide under the spotlight. Cici and Jill find themselves at a crossroads — not just in competition, but in understanding. | Photo courtesy of PureRealm Pictures Inc.
ABOUT THE FILM
Cici has always known exactly who she is — Chinese-Canadian, Toronto-raised, the kind of person who fills a room without trying. Jill is the opposite: newly arrived from China, carefully composed, and quietly extraordinary on the violin. When the two cousins are thrown together under the same roof, neither is prepared for what the other will ask of them.
What begins as friction slowly becomes something else entirely. Between school hallways and late-night conversations, boba runs and kitchen-table silences, two very different girls start to see the world — and themselves — through each other's eyes.
Curiosity, mischief, and the beginning of something unexpected. Cici and Jill discover that cousins can become the friends you never knew you needed. | Photo courtesy of PureRealm Pictures Inc.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
“This film is for everyone, and especially for young people. We know they respond to stories that are rich in plot, meaningful in content, and emotionally resonant — and those are exactly the qualities we built this film around. Our hope is that viewers not only find themselves in the story, but carry something away with them: empathy, tolerance, a renewed respect for the people who raised them.”
— Mark Wang, Director
Between classes and boba runs, two cousins from different worlds start to find their common ground. | Photo courtesy of PureRealm Pictures Inc.
AVAILABILITY
Symphony of Light and Shadow streams exclusively on GJW+ beginning May 10, 2026. Included with a GJW+ subscription. Available to rent for $7.99 for non-subscribers.
About Gan Jing World Gan Jing World is an independent social media and video streaming platform guided by its mission, “Technology for Humanity”—leveraging technology to promote kindness, respect, trust, and traditional values. Its non-addictive algorithm prioritizes meaningful information and content. It values freedom of speech, protects privacy, and delivers wholesome and safe content.
About GJW+ A premium streaming service with over 10,000 movies, documentaries, and TV shows—offering entertaining, inspiring, thought-provoking, and multilingual content.
About NTDTV Canada & PureRealm Pictures Inc. NTDTV Canada is a leading Chinese-language broadcaster serving North American audiences with news, culture, and entertainment. PureRealm Pictures Inc. is an independent production company dedicated to creating meaningful, family-oriented films that reflect the experiences of diverse communities.
Watch & Share Mark your calendar for May 10 — subscribe to GJW+ and experience Symphony of Light and Shadow, a story of courage, family, and the quiet bond between two cousins finding their place in the world. Stream at GJW+