We were lucky to catch up with Moxie Zhang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Moxie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
For me, the most meaningful project so far has to be the semester assignment I shot during my second semester in USC: a wildly chaotic mockumentary called “Moxie and April Want to Make a Porn”.
Yes, the title itself is outrageous, and so is the story. I can candidly describe it as ‘explosive,’ not because it’s some kind of cinematic masterpiece—far from it. In fact, this six-minute short has no production value whatsoever. The lighting, cinematography, and set design are all laughably amateur. But I had so much fun.
The idea was sparked during my first year of grad school, when my group of Chinese classmates and I were grappling with uncertainty about our futures. My roommate April and I jokingly suggested, ‘Why don’t we just make porn? But make it different, something with a sophisticated cinematic language.’ Our friends immediately latched onto the absurd idea, and soon, five of us were sitting in my living room, huddled around a table covered in leftover food, enthusiastically discussing crew roles—who would do the lighting, the camera work, the editing. We even had everything assigned! It was ridiculous, yet we were so moved, so passionate. Five girls, sitting in front of a laptop, opening up a porn website together and studying seriously… It was absurd and hilarious because we had no idea about anything.
Coincidentally, around that time, our semester assignment was to make a six-minute short film with tons of strict rules and requirements. The pressure was intense, and everyone was feeling pretty down. That’s when I got this ‘crazy’ idea: I would make a mockumentary based on this true story, about two ‘silly’ Chinese film students embarking on a grand, yet ridiculous, adventure to make a film about a film set. Every character in the story was named after my real-life friends, who eagerly contributed all sorts of jokes about making porn on a film set. It’s hard to believe, but during that period, our minds were consumed with these absurd and raunchy ideas!
The cast consisted mostly of fellow students, giving the whole project a sense of collective madness (we even poked fun at the school in the film). It was an absolute blast! On the screening day at the end of the semester, the film received the loudest and most uproarious laughter in the room.
Even if I someday achieve great success, this film will still be one of my most meaningful projects. Despite its low production quality, it was a piece created without concern for meaning or purpose—just for the joy and madness of it all. What could be better than making a short film purely for the fun of it and sharing a laugh with everyone?
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
From a young age, I was deeply drawn to art, though I didn’t realize then that this passion could evolve into a career. In retrospect, some seemingly unconscious behaviors had already laid the groundwork for my path toward filmmaking, even if they appeared naive at the time. Friends from my childhood recall how I would stand by the playground equipment, crafting storylines and movements for music videos featuring my favorite singers and celebrities. It might have seemed whimsical, but any place with a sense of interaction felt like a stage where I could orchestrate my ideas.
Back then, I was simply enjoying the process without much awareness, and I quickly discovered that I didn’t like being the “actor”—the one watched by others. I preferred being the one making the decisions, orchestrating, and designing the scene. At the same time, my upbringing involved my parents continually arranging lessons in music, singing, and dance. They were avid movie lovers, too, and I would often accompany them to video rental shops to swap out the latest film DVDs, even if they were bootleg copies.
By the time I reached middle school, academics didn’t particularly captivate me; I was more inclined to indulge in what some might call ‘useless fantasies.’ I was fascinated to find that even the wildest daydreams had their own narrative arcs—beginnings, climaxes, and conclusions. I paid special attention to how each character entered and connected within these mental stories.
Before college, whenever I had access to a computer, I’d binge-watch films, partly out of curiosity and partly to seem ‘cool.’ Over time, whether consciously or subconsciously, a growing passion for cinema began to take shape within me.
When it came time for university, due to family circumstances and uncertainty about the concept of ‘employment,’ I wasn’t able to major in film as I had hoped. Still, I stayed connected to the art, involving myself in film-related projects and even exploring art history and museum studies. There were moments of wavering, but I eventually came to realize that filmmaking was the medium that resonated most with my form of self-expression. It was the kind of ‘work’ where I could truly channel my strengths to the fullest.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My creative journey is driven by a desire for authenticity and a fascination with human connections, especially in the context of modern urban life. I’m intrigued by how relationships unfold in cities, with all their chance encounters, fleeting moments, and unspoken complexities. I believe there’s a magnetic pull between people and the places they inhabit, and I aim to explore the unique stories and possibilities that emerge from this dynamic.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to sincerity. I’ve always felt that to truly connect with an audience, a filmmaker must approach the world with a genuine perspective. That’s why I often choose unconventional narratives, hiding meaning within the story to evoke a sense of lingering resonance or a quiet sense of loss. I’m not interested in creating films with clear-cut answers or dramatic plot twists just for the sake of it. Instead, I want to leave room for the audience to pause, reflect, and feel.
Ultimately, I’m on a quest to capture the elusive essence of human experience. Whether it’s a mockumentary I made for the sheer fun of it, or a deeply introspective short film exploring loss and longing, each project reflects my belief in pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown. I’m not afraid of making mistakes or venturing into absurdity because I see these as essential parts of the creative process. My goal isn’t just to tell stories but to share a raw, unfiltered vision of life, where beauty can be found even in the chaos
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
To truly support artists and foster a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to prioritize creating space for experimentation and failure. Creativity doesn’t flourish in environments where everything is measured by immediate results or commercial success. There should be room for artists to explore unconventional ideas, take risks, and even make mistakes without fear of judgment or financial ruin. Grants, fellowships, and public funding can play a crucial role in providing artists the freedom to experiment, especially for emerging voices that may not yet have access to established networks or commercial platforms.
The reality is that artistic work involves significant emotional and intellectual investment. Supporting fair compensation, advocating for better working conditions, and celebrating the process—not just the end product—are important steps toward nurturing a sustainable creative community.
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