Ross Student Premieres Documentary at 2015 Hamptons Take 2 Film Festival

During his three years at Ross School, senior Lang Cheng has written, directed, and produced a total of 16 films.

On Dec. 3, Lang’s Alaskan documentary, Gone, opened the 2015 Hamptons Take 2 Film Festival.

Much of Lang’s documentary work has been inspired by his travels and human encounters on Field Academy trips.

This past winter, when Lang traveled to Alaska with the Fire and Ice Field Academy course, he met Jamie Milliken, the dog sled racer who provides both the subject and compelling narration for Gone.

In just 20 days, Lang turned six hours of striking footage into this short film profiling Milliken and the fragility of this unique livelihood, which is threatened by climate change.

With the encouragement of media teacher Ivan Salcedo, Lang submitted his documentary for consideration in the student category of the film festival.

Lang was ecstatic when the submission—his first—was selected.

His filmed premiered as part of the festival’s Young Voices Program, a significant platform for student cinematographers.

It was shown along with work from students in the Springs and Sag Harbor school districts.

Following the screening, Lang participated in an onstage Q&A moderated by filmmaker Roger Sherman.