Meet Junxiong Zhu | Cinematographer, filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Junxiong Zhu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Junxiong, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was watching films at a very young age, I always had those “goose-bump” moments, as I think the the emotions and feelings on screens was so strong that they blew my mind up. Later on, I think it means more than just the particular moment when I was watching those films. Rather, it can affect me myself in the future, and also on other practical stuff. What I meant by “practical” is that on one hand, it motivates me to wake up every morning and still feel powerful enough to face my life even though sometimes it really sucks. On the other hand, I truly and deeply believe that it can affect a broader audience and the whole mankind. Although some may think that films are just a luxury and it is definitely not a necessity that people cannot live without, I have this sincere faith that it can bring some kind of beauty and universal resonance for everyone.

To me, emotions and feelings are the most important even though people cannot get physical access to them, and I hope what I am doing can bring this to the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first entered into the world of photography I did not know how much my view of the world around me was going to change. When I received my first digital camera, it was just small enough that I could carry it on me everywhere I went. In time I gained more knowledge on the subject of photography and I became increasingly interested in the technology behind the camera. I borrowed various models of cameras from my friends and family, and spent hours just playing with them to get a better understanding of the inner workings of each one. Initially, photography was just a form of documentation to me; I just wanted a way to preserve a memory. The occasional random rain, the spectacular crowds at the station, the demolition of a bridge, or the concentrated look of a family member. But one day, something clicked and I started to understand that what really mattered was not how exquisite the imagery was, but rather the content and internal emotion behind it. It was the difference between looking versus feeling.

For me, it is definitely not an easy journey. Many people who do not work in this industry are not able to fully understand what I am doing and what I am dedicating my passion to. This means that most of the time, I feel lonely and I just stick to what I believe as a filmmaker. Also, I am proud to say that I try to keep sincere and honest with my audience and my work. It requires self-exposure and every time it just feels like I need to burn myself out to achieve my dream and goal. Even though sometimes I get hurt as I feel I don’t get 100% of the same thing back from the outside world, I always believe that it is extremely important to keep honesty along my artistic trip.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just moved to LA a year ago, and my school life took up most of my time. However, I always go to this restaurant called Auntie Qiu’s Kitchen in Arcadia. It gives me a taste of my hometown and I love talking to the aunties there, and I feel very warm speaking our dialect. I’ve brought many local friends there and they love it.

San Gabriel Peak is definitely another place I will show my friend. It will give you the whole view of LA, which is a perfect meditation session for me. I also bring my super 8 there quite often and now I have a collection of footage from that place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I remember one day, I intuitively picked up my camera and began to document the daily life of my Grandma who had been suffering from Alzheimers, and I edited it with my family video footages from childhood. When I presented those blurry and non-stable images together with grandma’s hollow stare to my family, our eyes began to well up in tears. I will never forget the feeling of being able to create such powerful emotions through the power of imagery. Throughout the years I studied film intensely enabling me to better grasp the limitless power that came through the combination of image and sound. It was far beyond anything words or stories could do because I could feel it, and experience it. I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to become a filmmaker, or more specifically, a craftsman and an artist, a cinematographer. I will never forget these moments that always moved me: the frantic and unbridled run in the end of Florida Project, the sacred flight of the giant hand in Landscape in the Mist, or the magnificent fireworks blooming over the sea in Hand of God, and the embraced on the shining beaches in Rome. These moments kept me moving on, and every time I thought back to them, they reminded me of what I loved and aspired to be.

Instagram: joshua_zhu2000

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@user-we7lt1dn8m?si=a46PD3q5LultKiLL

Image Credits
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