Today we’d like to introduce you to Moxie Zhang.
Hi Moxie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My parents’ divorce sealed me off during my middle school. I refused to talk to the outside world. Instead, I began to observe, care, and think about each of my emotional and growth changes, and I embarked on a long journey of self-exploration. It was also at this time that film came into my life in the form of art. Together with film, I am looking for an answer to life.
When I was 16, I watched Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, directed by Nagisa Oshima, at the end of which, the bald Kitano Takeshi smiled at the camera and said, “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.” At that moment, I burst into tears. It was the first time that this shot made me understand what a real movie is and what the power of a movie is. It was a power I had never felt before, and I began to think further about what it was that made me so moved. Gradually, I came to understand that this power is a kind of narration and exploration of the inner world about life, confusion, regret, and love.
During the three years in high school, with the increased accumulation of movies, I came to know directors like Emir Kusturica and Jim Jarmusch, who opened up my new world again. I was tremendously moved by such works. It is so unbelievable that there were people who could achieve such subtle or romantic wildlife. I want to shout out for them. The unrestrained imagination successfully awakened my long-dormant desire, that is, a desire for expression. And such a way of expressing is to create.
Just as the first thing that moved me in movies was the text, I placed the excessive emotion in the story and all kinds of characters and used various words and rhetoric to imagine their tone of speech, to shape their behavior, and to pave their life path. I was admitted to the major of Chinese literature Studies at Guangzhou University. The four years of study has deepened my comprehension and understanding of language, literature, drama, film, and other literary and artistic works. However, literature could not completely satisfy me after all, I am not just satisfied with the study of film art, the creative practice of film even makes me enjoy the most. The flowing shadows, the fleeting meteors, the noisy flower and bird markets, and all things on earth, to me, are all potential and possible fields that stories could happen. I can feel them, and I want to capture and recreate them.
Therefore, I came to the United States to study film production. Aside from focusing on writing and directing, I also found myself passionate with sound and music. I have been working on several sets as production sound, and I have been done several experimental music piece as well. I also explored other areas like virtual production. Recently I just finished the postproduction for my first narrative 20min short film- A Palm Tree in the Distance, a story about a Japanese driver, finds himself entangled in a surreal twist of fate.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never been a smooth road. Starting my career in filmmaking presented numerous challenges. Initially, applying to top film schools was daunting. I lacked industry connections and resources, relying solely on relentless trial and error. I worked on various sets, enduring setbacks and even falling victim to deception. Despite moments of doubt, each failure fortified my resolve. Secondly, hailing from a modest single-parent household, affording exorbitant international tuition fees was the toughest hurdle. I am immensely grateful for my mother’s unwavering support and encouragement towards my dreams. As she often jests, pursuing film industry is a luxury for families like ours. Reflecting on this, I realized that material poverty eclipses all other challenges. Thus, after countless struggles, I resolved to prioritize survival before aspirations. While some independent filmmakers may disdain commercial ventures or works lacking artistic merit, I refuse to see prioritizing financial stability as a source of shame.
Another painful struggle I faced was regarding authorial identity in artistic creation. As a representative of East Asian women who came from China, navigating the fantasy and delusion-filled landscape of the United States often left me feeling fragmented and powerless. On one hand, I keenly felt the lack of Eastern narratives and the prevalence of stereotypical Eastern imagery. On the other hand, I felt powerless to export my own country’s culture and unable to make any impact on Hollywood world. Looking ahead, how to truly integrate Asians into this “game” is an area where I, as a creator, need to ponder and strive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I mainly focus on writing and directing. I also worked as production sound and music supervisor in the past years. I am most proud of my storytelling skills and creative ideas and concepts. I started exploring in experimental areas, I once shot a non-dialogue short film featuring an empty chair by a lake in San Francisco. I also explored the theme of “home” through experimental shorts, crawling through a fence into a ruin, and using my body as the subject. I love venture into diverse styles of filmmaking. In my second semester at USC, I delved into comedy with a mockumentary style about two Chinese girls absurdly attempting to make a porn in America. The thrill of these unknown, crazy, and diverse ideas ignites my passion for filmmaking.
I am deeply grateful for the learning experiences I accumulated during my undergraduate studies. While it may not have made me exceptionally cultured, the ways of “viewing” I acquired have enlightened me with fresh perspectives, enabling me to better appreciate, understand, and challenge the world around me.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Read more, listen more, write more, feel more, practice more.
Don’t be afraid of failure; don’t focus on success.
Always remember to be sincere.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohdemonalcohol/
