Filmmaker Mayumi Yoshida is forging her individual path through personal storytelling
Mayumi Yoshida might be lately, in the spotlight because of her work in filmmaking, but to hear her tell it, she got into the field of directing by chance. "I initially started out as an actor" says Mayumi. "There weren't a lot of roles available, then there wasn't enough roles I truly, deeply enjoyed at the core of my soul and made me feel"Oh, this's me.'" So, when the opportunity arose to get funding for a film of a shorter length, Mayumi was able to not just play a role but also be the director an intimate narrative.
"That has led to a variety of film festivals,"" Says Mayumi. "It made me feel like"Oh, there's a lot more that I can do as a storyteller, as an artist, and not only just as acting." Since then, Mayumi has continued to steadily build her film repertoire and has notably collaborated with the musician Amanda Sum on artful music videos that upend expectations and push the boundaries of genre form.
"The most helpful advice I've received from anyone else was when they told me to own my abilities," says Mayumi. That means fearlessly championing her work, even if it's amidst self doubt. "Don't be afraid to say no to others for yourself," she adds. "You think"Oh, but this is not going to work yet. Oh, but I won't get in. But, it's unlikely to occur. No one has informed you this yet. It's been said to you. Therefore, let it go. shoot the shot, and you never know. It is often successful. out."
We were able to talk with Mayumi shortly before the release of her Staff Picked film "Different Than Before" was awarded the Jury Award for Best Music Video at the 2023 SXSW festival. Watch the highlights from our chat in the above video and then read the complete interview in the following article.
What are the themes you see yourself returning to in your works?
Mayumi Mayumi: The topics I frequently investigate in my films is the search of identity, oftentimes family drama. The majority of my films come from intimate places. So, the relationships between families, or being stuck between cultures, intergenerational, multi-cultural are kind of right up my alley.
How do you keep going?
Mayumi The one of the best things about films is that it continues to exist throughout time. The story you tell you're like a container, but it'll continue to live for eternity, just like the people who are experiencing even when you're not around. It seems like I've watched numerous films that were made way prior to my birth and they affect my life. If I could be an instrument to tell stories that could continue to be told for a lifetime, that became sort of my mission after making my own films which I truly enjoyed. I was thinking, "Ooh, there's more to this. It's more beyond just sharing my story of what I am passionate about."
Let us know about your Staff Pick experience.
Mayumi: It was really thrilling. It really had a significant impact on all of us, because this movie had a social message and we really wanted this to be a success not just due to the fact that all of us put in a lot of effort to the film, but also because the message was one that had to be delivered in the moment, and still. And we released it during Asian Heritage Month, so it was important that lots of people saw it and experienced it. The staff also, boosted that, so I was really happy with that.
I had been very acquainted of Staff Picks, and I was thinking, "Oh, that's the cool group of people." It led me to think "Oh do I deserve to be there?" And now I just feel like it's just really cool friends who hang out. I'm really happy to be a part of this group.
What's next?
Mayumi: The next thing for me to do is my first feature film based off my first short film AKASHI. It's been an extremely long road and I'm so happy that we get to make this. It's a great pleasure to present this at some of these cool festivals and to have it shared with others, on in the future.