This month, audiences can screen Weather Forecast on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by Kids FIRST! Film Festival.
Director Xiaojing Wang’s Weather Forecast captivates us with its stunning visuals and contemplative journey into the human spirit. Starring Zimo Liu as Xinxin and Liping Wang as Popo, this thought-provoking short film explores faith and beauty in everyday life, offering a unique cinematic experience that invites viewers to reflect on deeper truths.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Xiaojing Wang.
Working with child actors is difficult in any circumstance, especially if you’re making a debut short. How did you develop a rapport with your actor that felt natural while aiding their performance?
It might be because I have younger siblings that I’m less afraid to communicate with children. When I first met the child actor and his mother, I invited them to my home to play with my cat. This was a natural way to build a bond, not just with the child actor but also to earn his mother’s trust, which I believed was an important aspect.
Learning that he and the boy in the story both shared the experience of losing a beloved cat, I designed diary-writing exercises for the child actor in the early preparation stages, having him write from the perspective of his character in the story. This helped him cultivate a sense of belief in his role. This strategy not only increased the child actor’s interest in participating in the performance but also unintentionally stimulated his imagination.
In a similar vein, a lot of the acting here (especially with the character of the grandmother) happens without dialogue. How do you explore an actor’s physicality on screen in a way that demonstrates what you want to get across?
I believe that many life insights are conveyed without words, and my aim is to create an atmosphere that allows the audience to immerse themselves in the characters’ world as if they are living alongside them. I’ve occasionally been tempted to start over and find a quicker, more impactful way to tell the story. However, after numerous trials and reflections, I decided to stick with the current version. Though it may not have perfect pacing, it likely reflects my unique perspective on the world. It also presents a personal challenge: Can I create a temporary whirlpool that draws the audience into the ebb and flow of the story, allowing them to drift into their own imaginations?
I find joy in leisurely swinging on a swing, using the descent of a leaf to punctuate moments of stillness. Similarly, I cherish late-night moments by the window, where thoughts dissolve into the nocturnal abyss. Thus, the phrase “Slow down, slow down even more” emerged, alongside the film’s Chinese title, “Stop, come over, wait.”
Having grown up amidst the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, I sometimes yearn to capture the tranquil essence of my island hometown, where time seems to stand still. There, I can dedicate enough time to observing a person or even a cat, understanding the art of patience.
A lot of the shots are static, without many close-ups. What challenges did you face in creating? What filmmakers influenced your style?
As I mentioned before, I strive to present an objective scene as much as possible because my subjective expression is embedded in the story. I am greatly influenced by Edward Yang’s film Yi Yi, which has shaped my aesthetic sense regarding cinematography and storytelling.
What do you hope people take away from Weather Forecast?
During the development of society, societal anxiety and indifference have become increasingly prevalent, causing people to view societal events with a more apathetic perspective. In an effort to rekindle empathy for the values of “truth, goodness, and beauty” in life, I made the short film Weather Forecast.
Using a child’s perspective, I portrayed a heartwarming story where the grandmother tells her grandson, due to the missing cat, that “loving people will meet again.” Unintentionally conveyed in a random conversation between the boy and a stranger, this wisdom sparks enlightenment in the man dealing with emotional confusion. It narrates a story of goodwill circulating and transforming between strangers. I aimed to evoke people’s feelings toward the innocence and faith of the child’s world.
Regardless of the medium, I aim to express my worldview and beliefs through my works. I firmly believe that people cherish the present more when they see beautiful things. When we see the beauty of ‘another world’ superimposed from our real lives, isn’t that a compelling reason to observe and cherish life better? Regardless of whether a moment in memory is sad, happy, regretful, or joyful, it’s a part of our past. Perhaps in another dimension, perceptions will be reversed, regrets in this world will be realized, and happiness will continue in another dimension. I believe this is the significance of creating art and my motivation for gradually exploring public art at this stage.
Thank you, Xiaojing!
C.M. Rubin with Xiaojing Wang
Don’t miss Weather Forecast, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by Kids FIRST! Film Festival for Planet Classroom..
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