And thank you, 2022
During the Dyke March in 2022, with Tin, Francesca, Nancy and Nora.
Early 2022, I was dedicated to a documentary project that I started and fell in love with. To make up to my lack of experience in producing, I brought “a trusted friend” on board, whom I expect to be a producer. However, I ended up being gaslighted and this person took the director position from me. Conflicts happened, and this ex-friend would corner, or you can say bully, me with the director title. In the end, I decided to quit this project to preserve my mental health. I was so traumatized by this experience that everytime I told other friends about this story, I felt so powerless and weak, that I lost full control of something that was mine. Furthermore, I lost my trust in people and belief in creative partnership or collaboration.
But 2022 turn out to be such a fruitful year on partnership and collaboration.
One of the most important thing happen in 2022 is that I joined Filmshop, a non-profit filmmaker collective. There I found a community that has now become, I would say, the center of my social and creative life. We would hang out almost every week for dinners and movies. We all come from different background, culture and area and I have learned so much from each of us. Everybody is so supportive not just for your works, but also your life. In Filmshop I also met Nancy Ma, an amazing actress and artist who turned out to be my biggest collaborator this year. We already work on two films together (Rehearsal and One Day You Are Not Here), which we really love, and one more is in progress. Her openness, vulnerability and honesty always inspire me and show me how I can be a better self. 2022 marks the year that I can finally call New York home because I feel like I have found my family here.
Filmshop also brings projects to me this year. I have worked on several set as DP and gaffer through Filmshop. The trust and support from them are incredible and heartwraming. After the incident happened earlier in the year, I become a little bit cynical and skeptical on collaborating with and trusting other people. I feel so blessed that I have met so many people in later 2022 that help me re-establish my faith in people and myself. Shout out to Scott, Justin, Tin and Molly. Thank you for having me on your projects and treat me with trust, patience and kindness. Also shout out to all my old collaborator, Nikita, Maliya, Juan and more. I love you all so much.
2022 is also a year transitioning to stability and growth in career. My long term working partners and friends Bryan and Matt have decided to open a company ourselves starting in 2023. Honestly, without them, I don’t think I can survive in New York City. They have been trusting me and bringing projects to me since I know them. Thank you Bryan and thank you Matt. You have been the essential supports of my life in New York, literally. I look forward to going on this journey with you in 2023.
2022 was a year of many unfortune. A war happened, while my home country was scorched by the inhumane zero COVID policy and later on the virus itself due to the government’s incompetence. But it was also a year marking the resiliency and the growth in myself for being more political and engaging in public matters. This year, I joined the protest against Russian invasion to Ukraine, the dyke march and the protest against the zero COVID policy in New York. I have never been so politically active in my life, getting out on the street and let myself be seen. I feel so grateful for my dear Chinese feminist friends Mimi, Summer and others who teach me knowledge on civil movement and inspire me on how to get myself involed and why that is important.
2023, I can finally go back to China and see my parent after 3 whole years. I am grateful for all the fellow Chinese who were a part of the movement and push the government to open up the country again.
2022, Thank you all my friends who support me, love me and care about me. I love you.
2023, let’s continue to watch films, make films and celebrate life.
Cheers,
Junting