Meet Keyan(KOKO) Miao | Film Director/Writter/Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keyan(KOKO) Miao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keyan(KOKO), any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I don’t know the answer to this question either, but I think a lot of artists face the same problem. And as long as you think about this question, it means that you are still KEEPING GOING, and it’s when you decide to GIVE UP that the problem goes away. For myself, I will continue to make films and pursue a career in the arts because I am not good at anything else and it makes me happy to meet people I admire, a “good result” would be a gift from fate, but if not, I enjoy the scenery on the way as well.
As for giving up, I think that’s probably just a resting piece of the journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve made 4 short films of different lengths so far and I believe I’m still at a stage where I need to keep learning. But over the course of the shorts, I gradually worked out my own style of film, for example, in terms of narrative, I always set out to portray a woman’s life and situation around her. In terms of visual style, I like to have impressive shot designs that also fit the plot development. I believe that becoming a director is a long shot and no matter how much I achieve, the real achievement is always the next one, in the future. So for me the only thing I need to do is to live, stay curious about the world and not give up creating.
I hope that through my work, more people in the world can learn that people’s personalities can be so different and their psychology can be so complex. At the same time most of the world’s film production comes from male teams who have contributed to many of cinema history’s masterpieces, but in this day and age, more and more women are joining the film industry, and I believe in, and look forward to, more women’s stories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Hollywood so the first stop I would definitely take them to see the Hollywood sign, a place called Lake Hollywood Park is a great spot with a large grassy area and dog park and not far away is the white Hollywood sign. On the drive up from the foothills you can even pass Mullholand Dr., which is also my favourite movie, and I think Mullholland Drive is a reflection of a lot of people who are chasing their dreams in L.A. Whether you work as an actor or in a theatre production, everyone wants to be a star.
Other than that, I think Joshua Tree Park is a great place to visit. There is where I carry my imagination of the American West, especially in the desert in the middle of the night when there is not a sound around you at all, and all you have for company is the roiling yellow earth and the stars in the dark green night sky. Definitely worth it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think feminism has helped me a lot in my growth. When I first learned about feminism about eight years ago, I suddenly felt inspired, and many of my doubts were solved, and feminism began to shape my worldview, let me start to understand myself, and opened up my possibilities as a woman. Therefore, my works are always centred around women, whether it is women’s existence, women’s social situation, women’s psychological changes, they are all topics I love to discuss. I hope that I can achieve something in this area, touch more people, and convey more female power.

Instagram: koko_mofficial

Youtube: keyanmiao

Image Credits
Xiyue Yang, Happy Zhu, Ana Karina,