Caroline Xia
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Three Wishes
2020
1920 x 1080
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Road Ahead
2020
Archival ink on chinese dupion silk
28” x 20”
Statement
The most important and meaningful part of my work as a filmmaker and photographer is telling stories that empower underrepresented groups. Operating within the ranges of narrative film, experimental video, and photo, I create art about my own identity, telling stories from the perspectives of East-Asian Americans, queer women, and female robots in order to talk about themes of ethnicity, race, gender, and community.
My work highlights the absurdity of certain socially constructed gender roles and racial stereotypes, affording the audience space to contemplate, question, and critique the function of these tropes in identity formation and social relationships. My work is personal, and therefore it is essential for me to be directly involved in all aspects of the filmmaking process, from story-building and screenwriting to directing and editing.
When writing stories, I try to tap into those moments in which I’ve felt misunderstood, or encountered limitations, I ask myself what voices need more visibility, or what narratives could be approached from a different perspective. I focus on forming three-dimensional characters who, like myself, have been told how to live their entire lives but are given the chance to define themselves on their own terms. I aim for my work to speak truth to my experiences and trust that my vulnerability will resonate with others in the process.
Film & Video (BFA) Students