xxVISIBLE
Covering one year of the 2020 pandemic, a successful young Asian American struggles to navigate life during the lockdown.
Interview with Writer/Director Bobby Yan
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I began the process of creating and writing xxVISIBLE last year in the early stages of the pandemic and lockdown - before Mr. Ratanapakdee was murdered, before there was #StopAsianHate, and before the Atlanta massacres. My aim was to capture a time capsule of last year during the pandemic, specifically representing an Asian American voice - one in which has barely been represented in the media and news, other than a quick news blurb.
My goal in creating the film was to provide visibility and light to our common voices as Asians in America, especially during a year filled with social unrest, conflicting political rhetoric, and the resultant rising anti-Asian hate and increasing danger on the streets. All the events in the film are actual events I've experiences myself, not necessarily all in that one year, but real nonetheless.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
As a director and writer who has spent my whole life and career working hard on my craft, I am very proud of this work. I hope others can view it and appreciate the art and storytelling behind it.
I'd also say watch it to perhaps learn something new or unexpected, experience another point of view outside your own. If I can place the audience in another character's shoes and get you to feel and empathize with him or her, I've done my job.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I feel it's a great responsibility as creatives who work in media to truly understand the power they possess in using the construct of storytelling to connect audiences with each other on a human level. The power to rewrite the narrative for a common good and ultimate heal the world is within each of us as a filmmaker or creative.
Within xxVISIBLE, lies my heart within this understanding. In portraying the character of Stanley, my goal was to open up important but difficult conversations about the concept of identity, race and politics in this country that hopefully resonates well after the credits roll.
The danger of being targeted as an Asian in America is only a smaller symptom of a much greater ill. Any of our differences can all be used against us, whether we are black, Arab, Jewish, Queer, a woman, poor or any other dividing construct. The reminder that we are all ultimately one and in this life experience together is a reoccurring personal theme in all of my work.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This was certainly a revolving script that developed as the year went by. I spent the first half of the year acclimating myself to life during the pandemic and nationwide lockdown, as well as personally affected by the murder of George Floyd and the nationwide protests. This film is a reflection of my passion for both storytelling and activism, and finding a happy medium in between. Last year was a huge reminder to me of why I became a filmmaker in the first place, which was to make a difference in this world before I go.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I've received the most amazing feedback from both friends, audiences and professionals who I greatly admire. The biggest impact of the feedback is hearing how the film opened up eyes to something they never knew or thought about.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I'm reminded of the fact that once you create your art, it's not yours anymore. It belongs to the world. The challenge in creating anything from your heart is to be able to accept all criticism as well as accolades that come from it. Ultimately, there's no surprise per se, but rather a renewed understanding that my voice is unique and to continue to use it loudly, truthfully and unabashedly for the world to see and hear.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Number one, thanks for the chance to express and showcase myself. It's not taken for granted. And ultimately for more people to watch the film and continue to follow my work, as this is only the beginning.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I would certainly need press and journalists to come on board and support this project to get more eyes on it. This film is more than just a hashtag of #StopAsianHate. I hope this film helps open eyes and ears to the collective problem so hopefully we can work towards solutions and healing. I would love for this film to be seen by as many people as possible. I think it would also do well in schools and the educational sector.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It's about opening more conversation. To have more eyes on Asian American issues and build community and allies with other groups in order to find solutions towards a common goal, especially our commonality between other marginalized communities.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What can you do to help stop the hate against Asians in America? If you see an elderly person on the street get harassed, will you try to intervene or help stop it?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
You can catch our lead actor William in the next season of "Kobra Kai" on Netflix, and I am working on my first feature film as well as currently working on episodics for television.
Interview: September 2021
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
xxVISIBLE
Length:
12:00
Writer
Bobby Yan/Brent Lewis
Director
BOBBY YAN is a second-generation Chinese American director & writer from New York City. Committed to creating works that shift cultural narratives and boundaries, Bobby has infused a distinct unique voice into his work that spans a wide gamut of diverse genres and themes.
He graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans and holds a Masters degree from NYU in Visual Effects. Starting out early, he has directed over one hundred music videos and commercials and garnered Seven Emmy Awards as a Sports editor and producer. With seven narrative shorts under his belt, Bobby was chosen to be a part of the ABC Disney Directing Program as well as Ryan Murphy’s HALF Initiative Mentorship program.
He is currently working on his next feature script, a unique Asian American coming of age story that explores inter-cultural boundaries and relationships fused with music and comedy.
Producer
KARYNROSE BRUYNING is an award winning writer, director and producer and the “July” in CHRISTMAS IN JULY 1982, (a film and theater production company founded by herself and fellow Tuskegee University alum Artemus Jenkins) which is best known for their work with the hit docu-series, P.OP. and the SMOKE AND MIRRORS web series. In January 2020, KarynRose Bruyning founded PRONOUNCED BRUYNING, a solo production company which debuted with -SHIP: A Visual Poem, written and directed by Terrence Daye and produced by Bruyning which went on to win the Sundance Grand Jury Award for US Fiction Award in the same year. www.karynrosebruyning.com
Key cast:
William Lex Ham (Stanley), Fanny Lawren (mother), Matthew Brooks (Drew), Skyler James Bailey (Ahmed), Buck Newman (man on Street)
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mrbobbyyan
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/xxvisible/
Hashtags used:
#indie #xxvisible #filmmaker #shortfilm #director #writer #stopaapihate #asiansforblacklives #bipoc #lawofattraction #alliedvoices