Xie Bai

I was born on November 4, 1987。

Influenced by the poet's grandfather, my first language was learned through Chinese poetry, and I was deeply influenced by the concept of "inexhaustible meaning, visible beyond words" in Chinese poetry.

During my growth, I once delivered food, worked in a factory in Guangdong, worked in telemarketing, and met people with different lifestyles. It has accumulated a wealth of creative materials for me.

Graduated from the Screenwriter Training Program at Beijing Film Academy in 2015, and later participated in some work related to film marketing and distribution, clarifying the direction of producing independent films.

In 2017, I returned to God, transitioning from creating works that cater to entertainment needs to wanting to do what pleases God.

Starting from 2018, I started a life of watching, thinking, recording, filming, and cutting.

In 2023, independently produced the first short film PSALM

The current feature films in the preparation stage include THE LIGHT;
INQUIRIES ;O,PRFECT LOVE

Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
Psalm is about faith. The theme is to believe. Everyone's life is different, and that's not important. The important thing is that there is a big difference between believing in God and not believing in God.

What are your ambitions with your project?
True art praises truth, goodness, and beauty. And of course, movies are also among the ranks of true art. So I hope this short film brings hope and warmth to people, and if it can ultimately make the audience yearn for Christian faith, it would be very perfect. Of course, all of this is not about humans, but about God.

Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
This is my first directed film. Although I had done my best to prepare in advance, I still encountered rainstorm when shooting started. I and my producer who is also my wife have been praying for this. It's incredible to finish shooting in such a rainstorm.

For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
There are no inappropriate scenes or content for children in the movie. Apart from our husband and wife, the earliest ones to see the film are our 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. They also love this film very much. So everyone can watch this film and may like it, including children.

Why should distributors buy your film?
Distributors will buy a very different movie. It has its own energy and perspective. And its viewpoint is not towards the world, but towards the soul, towards salvation.

How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
I am a Christian. I hope making movies is not only a job, but also a ministry. In the Bible, it is said: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV) I hope my movies are like good words that building others up . Of course, when making this experimental movie, I made an attempt to completely break through time and space, achieving complete freedom in time and space. This creative technique will also continue in my next feature film.

Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I think this is a call from God. My wife is an independent director, and her directing experience and abilities are much better than mine. I am responsible for the script and then hand it over to her. Then one day, I prayed and knew I was going to become a director. I told her, and miraculously, she was also very supportive. Everything went on like this afterwards.
8. Who is your role model?

In the field of cinema, I like Federico Fellini, Robert Bresson, Roberto Rossellini，and so on. But not all of their works I like.

Which movies are your favorites? Why?
Eight and a Half、 Rome, Open City、Ladri di biciclette、Pickpocket、 Tales of Ugetsu, and so on. These are all masterpieces that have been recorded in film history, and almost everyone who loves movies has watched them.

Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
The source of inspiration for each film is different. But overall, getting inspiration is more about spiritual life, reading scriptures, and praying. Always updating my perspective and life.

Which topics interest you the most?
If it's film creation, I don't have the most interesting topic. I create movies around the gospel, and that's for sure.

What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
Being able to become a director is already a great achievement. At the same time, my child's love for the movies I make also makes me feel proud.

What do you consider most important about filming?
The most important thing about movies is to build others up . If a movie wins box office and awards, it has been recorded in film history, but it teaches people to do evil, then its achievement is zero.

Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
Movies are the techniques used to showcase filming, just like other arts. It's hard to say which technique is the best. But in a certain movie, a certain technique is indeed very well applied. For example, long shots in certain movies, and close-up shots in certain movies.

How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
Due to the development of equipment and production technology in film production, more and more people are able to control the paintbrush of movies. I think this is a very positive aspect. Just like Psalm was filmed using a mobile phone. If it weren't for the use of such convenient devices, it would be almost impossible to complete the task of Psalm within our inherent conditions.

What can disappoint you in a movie?
If there are some pornographic and violent content in the movie, it will make people feel disappointed.

Who supports you in your film career?
My family, my wife, and children are all supporting me. We are trying to produce independently all the time.

What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
This short film has not yet had a world premiere, but currently it has gained recognition from nearly twenty film festivals. This makes me believe that many people who like it have seen it.

Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
I have received some award messages now. I haven't arrived at the scene yet to experience the film festival. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in more film festivals .

What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
In my future plans, I have three feature films: The Light, Inquire, and Perfect Love. The Light is already in preparation. I hope it can meet the audience soon.