Xie Bai
What are your ambitions with your project?
True art praises truth, goodness, and beauty. And of course, movies are also among the ranks of true art. So I hope this short film brings hope and warmth to people, and if it can ultimately make the audience yearn for Christian faith, it would be very perfect. Of course, all of this is not about humans, but about God.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
This is my first directed film. Although I had done my best to prepare in advance, I still encountered rainstorm when shooting started. I and my producer who is also my wife have been praying for this. It's incredible to finish shooting in such a rainstorm.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
There are
no inappropriate scenes or content for children in the movie. Apart from our
husband and wife, the earliest ones to see the film are our 7-year-old daughter
and 4-year-old son. They also love this film very much. So everyone can watch
this film and may like it, including children.
Why should distributors buy your
film?
Distributors
will buy a very different movie. It has its own energy and perspective. And its
viewpoint is not towards the world, but towards the soul, towards salvation.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
I am a Christian. I hope making movies is not
only a job, but also a ministry. In the Bible, it is said: Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(Ephesians 4:29 NIV) I hope my movies are like good words that building others
up . Of course, when making this experimental movie, I made an attempt to
completely break through time and space, achieving complete freedom in time and
space. This creative technique will also continue in my next feature film.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I think this is a call from God. My wife is an
independent director, and her directing experience and abilities are much
better than mine. I am responsible for the script and then hand it over to her.
Then one day, I prayed and knew I was going to become a director. I told her,
and miraculously, she was also very supportive. Everything went on like this
afterwards.
Who is your role model?
In the field of cinema, I like Federico Fellini,
Robert Bresson, Roberto Rossellini,and so on. But not all of their works I like.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
Eight and a Half、 Rome,
Open City、Ladri di biciclette、Pickpocket、 Tales of
Ugetsu, and so on. These are all masterpieces that have been
recorded in film history, and almost everyone who loves movies has watched
them.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
The source of inspiration for each film is
different. But overall, getting inspiration is more about spiritual life,
reading scriptures, and praying. Always updating my perspective and life.
Which topics interest you the most?
If it's film creation, I don't have the most
interesting topic. I create movies around the gospel, and that's for sure.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
Being able to become a director is already a
great achievement. At the same time, my child's love for the movies I make also
makes me feel proud.
What do you consider most important about filming?
The most important thing about movies is to build
others up . If a movie wins box office and awards, it has been recorded in film
history, but it teaches people to do evil, then its achievement is zero.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
Movies are the techniques used to showcase
filming, just like other arts. It's hard to say which technique is the best.
But in a certain movie, a certain technique is indeed very well applied. For
example, long shots in certain movies, and close-up shots in certain movies.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
Due to the development of equipment and
production technology in film production, more and more people are able to
control the paintbrush of movies. I think this is a very positive aspect. Just
like Psalm was filmed using a mobile phone. If it weren't for the use of
such convenient devices, it would be almost impossible to complete the task of Psalm
within our inherent conditions.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
If there are some pornographic and violent
content in the movie, it will make people feel disappointed.
Who supports you in your film career?
My family, my wife, and children are all
supporting me. We are trying to produce independently all the time.
If there are some pornographic and violent
content in the movie, it will make people feel disappointed.
Who supports you in your film career?
My family, my wife, and children are all
supporting me. We are trying to produce independently all the time.
© Cannes Film Awards 2020 - 2024