Meet Yi Xiong

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yi Xiong. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yi below.

Hi Yi, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I grew up in a very traditional Asian family and received a very traditional Asian-style education, which is a highly competitive system. Asian parents are very accustomed to comparing their children with others, especially those with better academic performance, as a way to motivate their own children. As a child, I was quite inconsistent in my academic performance. Despite my efforts, I often failed to meet expectations and was frequently compared to more outstanding peers. Over time, I began to doubt my abilities.

Now, I am an filmmaker. However, the field of artistic creation is often one where effort does not always result in commensurate rewards. Whenever a new idea is born, self-doubt often follows closely behind. In some ways, this imposter syndrome has motivated me to improve. I would prepare extensively for even the simplest tasks to prevent anyone from questioning me. I also set very high standards for myself in my creations to prove myself to others. This mindset brought a lot of pressure into my life, and I often found it difficult to feel happiness and satisfaction.

So, I tried to change my way of thinking. I often remind myself that I am here to experience life. I don’t need to prove anything, and there is nothing that I absolutely must achieve. I just need to keep trying, experiencing, and enjoying interesting experiences. The reason I chose to pursue artistic creation was to continuously try new ideas and gain interesting experiences. Whenever I think of this, I feel much better and am more willing to try bolder and freer experiments.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a director and cinematographer currently living between New York and Shanghai. Since I first got involved in filmmaking, I have constantly pushed myself to explore different genres, including narrative films, documentaries, experimental films, and video installation art. As a filmmaker, I believe that cinema and video art are unique forms of art that carve out and preserve time, allowing audiences to experience life as it truly is. This ability to capture and convey the essence of time is something that other art forms struggle to achieve, and it’s what keeps me deeply passionate about creating films.

My last work, “A Tortoise’s Year of Fate,” tells the story of a factory worker longing for hope in his impoverished life and trying to liberate himself from his unpromising future. It’s a melancholic tale of modernity and the decay of liberty. The film explores the universal longing for a sense of belonging, a theme that resonates with me personally. Throughout my life, I’ve sought this connection in my surroundings, friendships, and family ties. In my film, the protagonist embodies this yearning as a passive character trapped in his journey to find his place. By immersing him in a factory setting, I aim to delve into his relationships, interactions, and environment through long takes. This short film was the only Chinese short film selected for the 76th Locarno Film Festival in 2023.

Through the creation of this film and interactions with audiences, I’ve gained new insights into filmmaking. I am currently working on a narrative short film titled “Behind the Cloud.” It tells the story of two brothers. In an abandoned building, a reclusive artist and his brother delve into past memories, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. This film is inspired by my relationship with my older brother. He is eleven years older than me. Growing up, we spent most of our time apart, and our careers are very different—he is in business. The last time I visited my hometown, even though he had already had dinner, he took me out to eat. We sat in silence at the table as he quietly waited for me to finish. Despite our different lives and interests, we still care for each other in our own way. This film will be an experimental narrative project. I don’t want to worry too much about editing continuity or storyline coherence during filming; instead, I want to focus on capturing the raw, emotional essence of our interactions. I want to follow my intuition and consciousness in making this film. I am very excited to see what kind of new experiences this bold attempt will bring me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that I value the most are maintaining curiosity, independent thinking, and learning to be grateful. Keeping a childlike curiosity about the world around me has been one of the main driving forces behind my creativity. Being curious about unfamiliar cultures, people, and ways of thinking, and then taking the time to understand and accept them, has enriched my experiences. In many ways, creation is a process of re-enacting memories, and having a wealth of experiences is certainly helpful.

I believe that the ability to think independently is more important than simply acquiring more specialized knowledge. The first step in independent thinking is to ask “why” when receiving new information. When I encounter new information, I habitually observe things from my own perspective and think critically rather than blindly following others. This is the starting point for creative breakthroughs.

Lastly, learning to be grateful is crucial. Filmmaking is a collaborative environment. It’s important to show appreciation the contributions of everyone involved. Whether it’s the cast, crew, or anyone who supports the project, recognizing their efforts and expressing gratitude fosters a positive atmosphere and strengthens teamwork. This mindset helps build strong relationships, and makes the creative process more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I would just go for a walk to relieve the stress when I’m stressed. Typically, I head out about an hour before sunset with my headphones on, playing a specially curated music playlist. My routine begins with a visit to the deli near my apartment to buy a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of tea. From there, I wander down the street without a set destination. The route I take varies each time, depending on how I feel that day. To me, these walks are similar to a form of meditation, a process that helps me reconnect with the present moment and find a sense of calm and clarity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yixiong.net
• Instagram: xylooooon