Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Moxie Zhang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Moxie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
From a young age, I was deeply drawn to art, though I didn’t realize then that this passion could evolve into a career. In retrospect, some seemingly unconscious behaviors had already laid the groundwork for my path toward filmmaking, even if they appeared naive at the time. Friends from my childhood recall how I would stand by the playground‘s fitness equipment, crafting storylines and movements for music videos featuring my favorite singers and celebrities. It might have seemed whimsical, but any place with a sense of interaction felt like a stage where I could orchestrate my ideas.
Back then, I was simply enjoying the process without much awareness, and I quickly discovered that I didn’t like being the “actor”—the one watched by others. I preferred being the one making the decisions, orchestrating, and designing the scene. At the same time, my upbringing involved my parents continually arranging lessons in music, singing, and dance. They were movie lovers, too, and I would often accompany them to video rental shops to swap out the latest film DVDs, even if they were bootleg copies.
By the time I reached middle school, academics didn’t particularly captivate me; I was more inclined to indulge in what some might call ‘useless fantasies.’ I was fascinated to find that even the wildest daydreams had their own narrative arcs—beginnings, climaxes, and conclusions. I paid special attention to how each character entered and connected within these mental stories.
Before college, whenever I had access to a computer, I’d binge-watch films, partly out of curiosity and partly to seem ‘cool.’ Over time, whether consciously or subconsciously, a growing passion for cinema began to take shape within me.
When it came time for university, due to family circumstances and uncertainty about the concept of “job”,’ I wasn’t able to major in film as I had hoped. Still, I stayed connected to the art, involving myself in film-related projects and even exploring art history and museum studies. There were moments of wavering, but I eventually came to realize that filmmaking was the medium that resonated most with my form of self-expression. It was the kind of ‘job’ where I could truly channel my strengths to the fullest
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I‘ve always been asked, ‘What’s the style of your films?’ To me, style isn’t something that can be easily defined, especially since my work doesn’t adhere to a fixed visual or auditory language. It may be because I’m still in an exploratory phase and haven’t settled into a particular ‘style.’ If I had to describe my films, I’d say they tend to have a unique narrative approach—I like to hide things within the story. However, that doesn’t mean my films are filled with ‘clues’ like the suspense elements in Christopher Nolan’s works. The ‘clues’ in my films aren’t meant to create suspense; they serve more as a means to leave space, to evoke the memory of something someone once said, giving the audience a lingering feeling—a sense of regret and helplessness about certain events.
My work has consistently focused on modern intimate relationships, particularly those in urban settings. To me, these relationships are shrouded in a mysterious allure because I believe there’s a magnetic connection between people and cities. Different cities can lead you to different encounters. Yet, I don’t romanticize intimacy, nor do I subscribe to the idea of romanticizing relationships. What fascinates me more are the chance encounters between people in a city, the possibilities and uncertainties that unfold after such meetings, and the inherent fragility in those connections. There’s perhaps a touch of fate to it, whether tragic or joyful.
Given the uncertainty of how much longer I’ll be in Los Angeles, the ‘Los Angeles Trilogy’ is currently on my list of planned projects. I’m someone who can only truly feel and connect with what I see before me. My first short film, A Palm Tree In The Distance (which has been selected by film festivals such as TINFF, LAFA, and Prisma), tells the story of a Japanese Uber driver in Los Angeles who encounters various passengers and becomes entangled in a web of dreams, memories, and blurred realities. The project I’m currently working on is also set in Los Angeles, focusing on a ghost—a young Asian woman who died in a beauty salon in LA and continues to wander, unable to let go of her unresolved desires.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe that the most important quality in filmmaking is sincerity. Although many people have advised me that mastering social skills and building a network are essential for success, I think that for a director, how far one can go ultimately depends on approaching the world with a sincere attitude. What truly touches people is always honesty.
As for accumulating knowledge, I would say reading is crucial. Not reading is, in fact, quite daunting. The purpose of reading isn’t to appear cultured, but to help us discover, understand, and explore different ways of perceiving the world.
Finally, never believe in overnight success. It’s essential to have the perseverance for gradual growth, as well as the courage to advance or retreat when necessary. Film is not the answer for your entire life.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I have to acknowledge my friends. I consider myself fortunate to have made one or two close friends over the past two decades—friends who would go to great lengths for me. For instance, when I was at a dead end during a film project due to financial issues, two of my friends unhesitatingly offered their savings to support me. I believe this might be connected to my own commitment to treating others with sincerity. I truly believe in the idea of genuine kindness being reciprocated.
However, friendship is not just about having someone who supports your career. It’s more about the chemistry that emerges when people meet and connect. I’m deeply grateful for this kind of trust. With it, no matter how different our jobs are or how far apart we live—in different cities or even countries—I never feel alone.
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