From the rustle of pencils on my storyboard pages to handling the chaos of a film set, I have always been aware of annotating my understanding of the world. I kicked off my journey as a creator in the visual arts, and later found another way to understand the world through film. I grew up with a passion for telling stories through my drawings and paintings, and while I was afraid to talk to people, my pencils were my tool for sharing what was on my mind. Films do the same, but on a larger scale: ideas are shared visually, with more people participating.
I finished my first short film before I even knew how to use a camera properly. It told a story of how a simple misunderstanding can turn people against each other, just as in history. When I showed the film to my classmates, half didn’t understand, while the other half thought they did and even joked that they saw a “masterpiece.” I felt a quiet pride. More importantly, I acquired a new way of expression.
Since then, working with film has sharpened my overall approach to art. From learning to use composition to express tension, to traveling to rural China to make a documentary for a barefoot doctor, to exploring how young people find belonging in my narrative film, the characters I created or portrayed are all on their way to finding their place in the world, just like me.
I enjoy stepping back and watching people experience what I created since my years in studio arts. Though we are not talking face-to-face, it’s a silent communication that leaves an impact. While making movies, I also collaborate with crew members to overcome challenges together, sharing the joy of creating something that resonates. The goal of my stories is to inspire the audience to reflect on their present lives and the choices they make.
