By: SHANA NYS DAMBROT
In the world of film, every director is a storyteller. They narrate tales through the lens, unveiling emotions and exploring human nature. In this realm, Yihui Hu’s story is like a fascinating movie. She is not only the creator of her stories but also the protagonist of her life’s narrative. From the cradle of art to the stage of cinema, Yihui, with her unique artistic perspective and relentless efforts, has gradually carved out her own place in the film industry. Her story is about dreams, growth, and cross-cultural exchange; it’s about how an Asian woman finds her voice in the world of cinema.
Yihui’s artistic journey began in her childhood,filled with a profound interest in drawing and storytelling. Her early aspiration to narrate stories through her paintings drove her to diligently study and eventually gain admission to the prestigious High School Affiliated to Central Academy of Fine Arts. There, she not only honed her painting skills but also continued to search for herself in the ocean of art, winning numerous awards in the process. Joining the school’s film club changed her life trajectory; she discovered that, compared to static images, films could bring stories to life. With camera language, plot construction, and character performance, she could create more vivid, three-dimensional narratives. This revelation ignited her passion to delve deeper into the art of filmmaking, dreaming of telling her own stories through movies.
This dream led Yihui across the oceans to the Savannah College of Art and Design in the United States. There, she not only studied film and television production but also gradually found and shaped her unique style and voice through activities in the editing club and documentary club. During her studies, she experimented with various types of films, including documentaries, commercials, and short films such as “The Monster,” “The Bus,” “The Girl Who Killed the Cat,” “Lexus – The Car is Your Second Home,” and “Falling for You.” After a long period of refinement, she produced an outstanding graduation piece, “Beach House.”
“Beach House” is the culmination of Yihui Hu’s skill and imagination. The film tells the story of a woman who arrives at a seaside villa she had never heard of before—a legacy left by her parents. There, she encounters a young girl who bears a striking resemblance to herself. This discovery triggers a series of mysteries and explorations, delving deeply into family secrets and a journey of self-discovery. The film not only received recognition at multiple international film festivals, including selections at the Toronto International Women Film Festival,Venice Shorts (2021)，New York Lift-Off Film Festival (2021), Knoxville Film Festival (2021), but also achieved semifinalist status at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and won the Award of Distinction at the Canada Shorts Film Festival and LA Independent Women Film Awards.Her work was also selected by her school to be submitted for the Oscars, a high recognition of her talent as a filmmaker.
Photo Credit: Yihui Hu
During her student career, Yihui not only excelled in directing but also actively engaged in various roles including Producer, Editor, Assistant Director, and Script Supervisor, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding and passion for the art of filmmaking.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Yihui chose to become an animation director, a transition that marked her continuous exploration and innovation in the field of film production. Throughout her cinematic journey, Hu Yihui has consistently focused on the voices of Asian women and the promotion of Asian culture. Her works often portray the inner world of women and their status in society, especially against the backdrop of Asian culture. Her profound insight into women’s experiences and sensitive capture of cultural details make her films not just artistic expressions but also mediums for social and cultural dialogues.
In pursuit of further refining her directorial skills and exploring her creative style more deeply, Yihui decided to return to academia, embarking on her graduate studies in Film Directing at DePaul University. She deepened her knowledge in both technical and theoretical aspects, while actively exploring themes related to Asian identity and feminism. Her latest works, including “The Safe” and “Secret Garden,” showcase her deep understanding of multicultural backgrounds and complex character psychologies.
Yihui is currently preparing a new project, a film about an American-born Asian girl who discovers her blood relation to a Chinese boy, further exploring cultural collisions and emotional entanglements. This film is not only a further development of her personal artistic style but also an important step for her as an Asian female director to make her voice heard on the international film stage.
Yihui’s artistic journey is filled with exploration and innovation. From art to cinema, from telling stories of Asian women to exploring cross-cultural identities, each step she takes reveals her profound understanding of cinematic art and her deep concern for cultural diversity. Her works are not only expressions of art but also bridges for cultural dialogue, connecting audiences from various backgrounds and experiences through the medium of film. Yihui Hu’s movies allow audiences to glimpse the uniqueness of different cultures while reflecting universal human nature and emotions. As she continues to make her mark in the film industry, we look forward to her deeper explorations and discoveries in future works, and how she will continue to use her films to tell unheard stories, showcasing the diversity and beauty of the world.
Published by: Aly Cinco
