We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Man Su a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Man, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I grew up backstage. My father is a director, and my mother is a production designer. Stories have fascinated me since I was young. I’ve always enjoyed reading, analyzing characters in books, and turning my daily life into novels in my journals.
However, what truly inspired me to pursue a career in film was an experience I had at 18, during a year of high school in Kansas, when I faced racial discrimination. That experience left a lasting impact on me until I watched the film Green Book. I came to realize that part of the prejudice stemmed from the fact that many people who discriminate against Asians don’t truly understand our community. Moreover, Asian culture tends to be more reserved, and many Asians choose to endure inequality in silence.
Gradually, I discovered that some of my friends had experiences similar to mine. I also reflected on how the protagonist of Green Book confronted and shattered injustices, ultimately earning respect. That inspired me to see film not only as a way to tell stories but also as a powerful tool to amplify voices. Through storytelling and demonstrating my capabilities, I’ve found a way to earn respect.
My first project was a documentary based on my personal experience, and it helped me forge friendships with people from different countries. Now, five years later, my passion for film continues to connect us and drives us toward a brighter future.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an enthusiastic filmmaker and storyteller with a solid editing foundation. I enjoy working on topics of racial discrimination and narratives that showcase poignant moments in familial bonds.

I am also passionate about films on the topic of racial discrimination. The documentary “Always Winter in Kansas” (7 minutes) recounts my own experiences with racial discrimination during high school and my reflections on it.
I graduated from School of Visual Arts with a B.F.A. in Film Production, specialization in editing, and pursuing her master’s degree in editing at the American Film Institute, further advancing her expertise and passion for filmmaking.
My directorial journey began with the narrative student short film ‘Pidou’(9 mins), currently in its festival run. The awards received so far include: New York International Film Award-Best Editing Winner and Best Student Film Honorable Mention; Los Angeles Film Award: Best Editing Semi-Finalist; Los Angeles Short Film Awards: Best Student Film Honorable Mention. She served as Director, Producer, Editor, and Production Designer in this project.
Her editorial works include“The Eleanor”(8mins) was selected by New York International Film Awards, Los Angeles Film Awards and Rome Prima Film Awards. “Buried Above Ground” (12 mins), the latter of which was screened at the New York Shorts International Film Festival.”Cross The Horizon” (15mins) currently in its festival run. “Liars” (14 mins), currently in its festival run. 

While participating in the post- production of the short film Buried Above Ground, which was also a truly memorable experience of working with a group of people with the same background and passion. The film narrates the story of a woman and a baby trapped in a bunker together, in a world on the brink of an apocalypse. As a result of nuclear pollution, the baby’s body begins to mutate and the woman increasingly struggles with a harsh decision: whether to end the baby’s misery or let them live. The director hoped that I could provide a unique female perspective in the post-production process. To make sure we were on the same page, Hiromasa shared all the research about the story he did in pre-production and the casting video, including one actress’s struggles with postpartum depression, which helped me understand his characters and demonstrated the value of good communication in a collaboration. The film features no dialogue, relying entirely on the actors’ performances to propel the plot. Originally, they had a fixed storyboard and shot list, but, in post-production, we sought to change the placement and order of the clips. In one climactic moment, the mother finally chooses to smother her baby with a pillow. The original design involved the mother placing the pillow on the baby’s face without any extra movement. However, during one bad take, the mother hesitated before deciding to try again. I thought this “mistake” was a brilliant surprise. Who wouldn’t hesitate before harming their child? I used the powerful example of euthanizing my sick dog to persuade the director and eventually the main editor. The rapport we had developed earlier made it possible for us to work together to tell a more influential story. After a rigorous refinement process, this film was nominated at the New York Film Festival.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I believe the most important aspect of a film is its story—a story that resonates with the audience. As filmmakers, it is our responsibility to tell these stories well. Of course, I also hope to receive recognition and praise from the audience for my work.
As an Asian filmmaker specializing in editing and based overseas, I have encountered many stories about Asian communities, and also stories from various countries. It’s interesting how different editing approaches can shape the audience’s understanding of a story and its emotional depth.
I hope that the small glimpses of Asian lives in these stories can be seen and appreciated by a wider audience, transcending national and cultural boundaries to foster understanding and empathy. Through editing, I aim to bring out the subtleties of each character and their emotions, no matter where they come from. In the process, I not only gain a deeper understanding of others but also hope the audience could connect with and appreciate these stories and characters more deeply.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The story that’s a bit conventional, however, I believe that learning to say “no” is an essential skill.
When I was a child, I was taught to accept things as they were, even if they made me uncomfortable. I was encouraged to smile through the discomfort and carry on regardless. This mindset stayed with me for years, until one particular experience on a film crew completely shifted my perspective.
As an editor, I was asked by a producer—someone I was familiar with—to also take on the role of script supervisor. I explained that I had some personal matters to attend to at the time, but after his repeated requests, I reluctantly agreed. Once on set, however, I found myself in an incredibly challenging situation.
The crew consisted mostly of friends, and what followed were days of grueling 20-hour shoots, often running overnight. Since the shoot was out of town, no information had been provided about living conditions. Upon arriving, we discovered there was no air conditioning during the summer heat, no proper facilities for bathing, and no first aid on site.
On the third day, I experienced a severe allergic reaction and requested to stay elsewhere for my health. Concerned about delaying the production, I discussed the situation with the producer, who agreed to reimburse my outside accommodation if I stayed until the end of the shoot. However, after the project concluded, I was met with blame rather than support. The producer criticized me for lacking perseverance and refused to reimburse me, claiming I had no evidence of my condition. This led to a fallout between us.
Looking back, I still believe in fulfilling commitments and working hard as part of a crew. However, this experience taught me that I should have stood firm from the beginning and not agreed to take on the role just because the producer was a friend. Additionally, I should have prioritized my health and sought medical attention immediately instead of enduring the situation.
Helping others is never wrong, but it’s crucial to put yourself first. When someone asks you to sacrifice your well-being for their benefit, it’s important to say “no.” This experience was a hard lesson, but it shaped my understanding of boundaries and self-respect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://suman1207.wordpress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikoo_ni/?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/man-su-403bba294
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbTs_EB1-LfeL1m6T5cXeOw

Image Credits

Jinqi Zhang
Jinqi Zhang
Joe Greening
Shiyu Zhou
Caiyu Song
Kang Tae Im
Xin Ding
Ning Zhang