We recently connected with Anlan Tao and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anlan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I am currently immersed in what I consider my most significant project to date—my USC Thesis Film, “Little Fierce Loong.” This childhood fantasy is a tender and poignant fable that delves into the complexities of race and class, illustrating how these constructs can drive us apart. At its heart, the film follows two lonely yet inquisitively spirited children from starkly different social and cultural backgrounds. Their lives intertwine over a shared fascination with a Chinese wooden dragon—a magical entity that speaks to them in the realms of their united imagination. This encounter sparks a surreal journey that forces them to confront and question the prejudices instilled by their parents, challenging their preconceived notions about culture and race.

The inspiration for this story is deeply personal, drawing from my own life experiences. Growing up in a small town in China in a modest household with my single mother, I was often alienated by wealthier peers, leading me to find solace and companionship in the world of imagination. This childhood, marked by fantasy and a sense of otherness, was further complicated by the re-emergence of my estranged father, who echoed the elitist sentiments I had hoped to escape. These experiences taught me the profound impact of parental influence on children’s perceptions of the world and led me to question the narrowness of such views.

Upon moving to the United States to pursue an MFA in Film Production at the University of Southern California, I was confronted with the stark realities of how race, social class, and gender create divides, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic and the surge of “Asian hate” in my community. This has fueled my concern for children who might face exclusion due to immutable aspects of their identity.

“Little Fierce Loong” is my creative response to these observations—a narrative that explores the innocence of childhood against the backdrop of societal divides. It’s a story about discovery, friendship, and the realization that beneath the superficial differences, our emotional experiences and capacities for connection are universally human. Through this film, I aim to show that the bonds of friendship have the power to transcend the barriers that adults too often accept as insurmountable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello! It’s a pleasure to connect with you virtually. My name is Ann Anlan Tao, and I am a passionate filmmaker, dedicated to the art of directing and writing within the cinematic world. Hailing from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, my academic journey began at The Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, where I majored in Theater Directing. Currently, I am furthering my studies in Film Production at the University of Southern California, diligently working on my thesis film, “Little Fierce Loong.”

My upbringing in a family of diverse beliefs and temperaments ignited my curiosity early on, leading me to explore the realms of poetry and short radio plays. This creative exploration set the foundation for my pursuit of a career in filmmaking. My professional experience spans notable film industry giants such as Sony, Phoenix Pictures, and Huayi Brothers Media, where I have honed my craft and contributed to various projects.

My work as a director, writer, and editor has been recognized on an international scale, with several of my short films receiving accolades at film festivals worldwide. Among these, “Ten Thousand Poems” was honored with the Award for Outstanding Short Film at the Vancouver Chinese Film Festival, and “Steel Forest” received the Award for Best Narrative Short Film at the Chinese Dream Online Competition. Additionally, my short film “She & He” was screened and nominated for “Best Director Short Film” and “Best Original Script Short Film” at The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. I’ve also had the privilege to direct the finale of a TV series, following its predecessor’s success in winning a Student EMMY.

My storytelling passion lies in themes centered around children, animals, women, and the elderly, integrating technologies like VFX, Virtual Production, and AI to convey universal emotions and conflicts through visual and auditory elements. As a filmmaker and storyteller, my aspiration is to meld technology with narrative, crafting complex, emotionally resonant, and nuanced stories that leave a lasting impact on audiences.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Turning visions from my mind into cinematic experiences that resonate with a wide audience fills me with immense fulfillment and reward.

I let my imagination take flight, placing myself in the shoes of my characters and, simultaneously, in the seats of the audience. I contemplate how each scene might touch them emotionally. Would it pique their curiosity? Surprise them? Bring them joy? Diving into various scenarios infuses my work with life, ensuring it leaves a lasting emotional impact.

It’s incredibly gratifying when, after a screening, audience members share how moved they were by the story and characters, and how much they felt it mirrored their own experiences and emotions. It’s thrilling! Such feedback is a reaffirmation of my abilities and confirms I’m on the right path.

The creative process and collaboration with talented individuals also bring me great joy. There’s nothing more satisfying than excelling in a profession you love.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Making my inaugural student short film, “Steel Forest,” was an arduous yet profoundly rewarding journey that tested my limits and highlighted my resilience. The project was sparked by a fleeting moment observed from the back window of a ride-hailing taxi in Beijing four years ago: a lone construction worker on a small bridge, tearing paper into pieces and scattering them into the river below.

This image, combined with the collective childhood memories of our creative team, gave birth to vivid characters in my mind. The notions of a “poet father” and “left-behind children” began to crystallize.

Driven by this inspiration, we embarked on creating a short film titled “Ten Thousand Poems” three years ago. Our aim was to portray the nuanced experience of a left-behind child, aiming for empathy rather than pity. However, our initial attempt two years prior fell short of expectations. After editing, the story’s authenticity was not as compelling as we had envisioned, a sobering realization for us all.

Undeterred, we devoted the next two years to studying and reimagining our approach. I revisited the script with new insights, reconvened our original cast and crew, and embarked on the filming process once more. This time, we succeeded in capturing the essence of the story that had long resided in my imagination. The satisfaction and collective joy we experienced upon completion were unparalleled.

I am immensely proud of seizing this second opportunity and deeply grateful for the chance to elevate our film from a local Chinese narrative to an international stage. Witnessing audiences from around the globe connect with our work has been an extraordinary highlight of my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://annanlantaocinema.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taoanlan/?img_index=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Anlan-Tao/pfbid02aMrcfhge8EBmZN5BybZCrHu4w8q3UtX3RoTFGXA3tjvc5B6g4P9qCPs7CXRQBdFCl/?paipv=0&eav=AfZRXCyG22WJ4COYj8Wrs-8wWv_Jj0YibJZ67GlAA5xXqBT6_drBYi7lEJoZhg5PlWk
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anlan-tao-897512187/
• Other: Upcoming Project: https://littlefierceloongfilm.com/ Please support us!