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

Hi Ying, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The places I’ve been to, the people I’m involved with, the memories I have and the dreams that happened to me, are all traces and proofs of my existence. And more than anything I wish to maybe, just maybe, find someone out there in the world saying, that’s the same with me too. Then I would know that my art is worth something. Through the twists and turns on this long path of creative process and personal discovery, I triumphed the conflicts and challenges in order to chase after my real pursuit.
 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art explores the blurred line between memory and dream, often rooted in personal experience but expressed through magical realism. What sets me apart is my search for emotional truth beneath spectacle—a quiet complexity behind every frame. Growing up in a village without ever seeing a real lotus, and navigating a complicated relationship with my mother, I’ve always been drawn to contradictions. Filmmaking became my vessel to process identity, longing, and grief. It wasn’t easy—I once created a film with no emotional root, and it failed. Only by facing my past did I learn to tell stories that truly mattered to me. I want the world to know I make films not to impress, but to connect—gently, honestly, and sometimes hauntingly—with those who have ever felt out of place.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles, I’d insist we drive—there’s no better way to feel the rhythm of this city than behind the wheel, with music playing and the windows down. We’d take Highway 1 and follow the coast. In spring, I’d bring her to hike through the rolling green hills of Chino Hills, where wildflowers bloom like scattered brushstrokes and cows graze in slow motion. If it’s summer, we’d ride the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica at golden hour—sunlight, sand, strangers’ laughter, all glowing like a scene shot on film.

In autumn, we’d catch the sunset at Griffith Observatory, then drive down to Malibu or Laguna Beach, where the coastline curves into itself like a secret. If she came in winter, I’d show her the lone Christmas tree glowing quietly on the beach at night—strangely cinematic, strangely comforting.

After wandering Laguna’s art galleries and tidepools, we’d end the day at Larsen, my favorite seaside restaurant. There, with a glass of wine and the ocean framed by giant windows, we’d sit for hours—watching, talking, and simply letting the city hold us.

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’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my grandparents, who raised me with patience, stories, and quiet resilience. My grandfather’s gentle way with animals and my grandmother’s faith in the land taught me to observe and feel deeply. Their love, though simple, shaped the way I see the world—and how I tell stories.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lazy_montagne?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
photo by Jiang Chen、ZXY、JD、Zook、SYY

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