Meet Zixuan Fang | Film Director & Production Designer

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

Hi Zixuan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I remember when I was little, the TV at home would always play a show called *Journey to the West* during summer vacation. As a child, I was completely captivated by that show. I began to realize that I could empathize with the characters, feeling their joy and happiness. Then one day, I turned to my grandpa and said, “When I grow up, I want to be a director.” I was 4 years old at the time. For me, the most wonderful thing about being an artist is the emotional connection. It’s amazing how the emotions an artist expresses through their work can resonate with so many strangers across the world. Even though we may never meet in real life, we can still experience emotional shifts through the medium of art. I truly enjoy this incredible feeling of connection. Additionally, I think one of the great things about being a filmmaker is that every character you create has their own life and a complete story. During the creative process, it feels as though you’re not just living your own life but also experiencing the lives of the characters you bring to life. I believe that’s why I chose to pursue a career in the arts.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In September 2023, my film *Honson’s Choice*, which I directed and wrote, will have its premiere in Toronto. This is my third short film, telling the story of a young girl growing up amid tense family relationships. Many of the inspirations for my work come from my own life experiences, including traumas. I am grateful that my unique life experiences have enabled me to create distinctive art.

Of course, the path of artistic creation is filled with challenges and difficulties, especially during the scriptwriting phase, where moments of confusion are common. For example, when I reach the third draft of a script, I often hit a stagnation point, feeling dissatisfied with the script but unsure how to improve it. From my experience, taking a few days off to observe and enjoy life, and chatting with good friends, often leads to inspiration appearing unexpectedly.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first thing I would definitely show my friends is the diverse range of museums and art exhibitions in Los Angeles. Additionally, as a highly multicultural city, Los Angeles offers a wide variety of international cuisines. You can even find authentic Chongqing hotpot and Sichuan dishes here, which are my favorite foods. Los Angeles also has many beautiful landmarks, such as the Griffith Observatory, which was featured in *La La Land*. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I want to thank my family. The journey to becoming an artist is undoubtedly filled with challenges, and I’m deeply grateful for their constant support and encouragement. The artist who has inspired me the most on this path is Leslie Cheung, a Hong Kong artist. His work has been a significant source of inspiration for me since middle school. His dedication and attitude towards his craft and his work have taught me so much, and those lessons will benefit me for a lifetime.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14223343/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lar8258?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr