5Q's w/Haixu Liu "BEYOND THE CURTAIN" Director
"BEYOND THE CURTAIN" SATURDAY | BLOCK H | 1:00 |
#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters
Cinematography, design and music are combined to tell a story of humanity between a criminal and a young boy in 1960's China.
#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?
The film focuses on what the invisible future holds beyond the blinding curtain, but the seemingly touching story does not give an answer. It is only the human desires that drive us in a loop: we all want to redeem or achieve. Realize that, the protagnist's story is just one among many lives of that time period. Some more tragic, some more touching, but no piece of history information is ought to have any meaning. At the end, the ghost characters say: everyone is an ephemeral piece of drifting petal, among many mortal lives. As human beings we cannot live without a purpose, so we must believe in the humanities especially of the story, even though we are aware that the ghosts may be just right.
#3: What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.
I made my first film when I was 16 and I have been composing music for all of my films. My first film was a big step for me since it made me to taste what film festivals like. I won several high school film festivals awards including Best Experimental and three nominations at All American High School Film Festival at AMC 25 at Times Square. Thanks to my first film, I got into NYU Tisch film school 2 years later, and I am about to graduate as a junior next year.
Ironically, it is after my biggest short film, that I realized film making perhaps will take more time for me to socialize and network, which I understand. However, I always wanted to make a difference not just as an artist, but someone with the voice to show the insight and creativity. I decided to develop a Virtual Reality platform, half a year ago, that would allow people to create a totally separate 24/7 live world with a very unique technology that we are programming. This platform is not an isolated VR thing. It is just as enjoyable on any daily device. Again, this time I will be responsible for its music and art direction. It is close to being finished. With the right marketing strategy, I hope I will speak directly to the public in early upcoming year when it releases.
#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?
If you want your art matters, it has to be seen, not by a hundred or a thousand. 'Will people see this without me telling them on social media?' should be the sole standard question we ask ourselves before making anything. Simply put, no one wants to make a film to watch it by her/himself. This is a very creative age. Do not follow the old ways.
#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?
I decided to develop a Virtual Reality platform, half a year ago, that would allow people to create a totally separate 24/7 live fantasy world with a very unique technology that we are programming every day and night. This platform is not an isolated VR thing nor a 360 video platform, and it is just as enjoyable on any daily device. Storytelling, visual arts, performance art and musics will be shown in re-designed way, accessible but engaging. Again, this time I will be responsible for its music and art direction. It is close to being finished. With the right marketing strategy, I am hopeful that it will appeal to the mass public and I am ready to show more about myself as an artist and insight. Speaking of film, making a feature film totally based on this platform is my goal after finishing it next year. Due to the funding nature of the platform, I hope this next film is internationally funded by both the U.S. and China and gets a theatrical run in both countries.(let's hope for the best, it all depends on the platform)
I would be glad to collaborate with anyone that is looking for creating contents and I am confident that the platform will be a very good exposure for all kinds of artists.
