A filmmaker Mayumi Yoshida is forging her own path with personal storytelling
Mayumi Yoshida is at present, in the spotlight for her filmmaking - but to hear her tell that story, she got involved in the field of directing by chance. "I initially started out as an actor," claims Mayumi. "There were not a ton of roles available, then there wasn't enough roles were something I loved at the core of my heart which made me feel"Oh, this's me.'" So, when the opportunity arose to get funding for a film of a shorter length, Mayumi took the initiative to play not only a character but be the director an intimate narrative.
"That led to so many film festivals,"" she says Mayumi. "It made me feel like"Oh, there's lots more I could do in my capacity as a storyteller, filmmakers, in addition to being actors." Since since then, Mayumi has continued to expand her film portfolio and has notably collaborated with artist Amanda Sum on artful music videos that reshape expectations and challenge the genre's structure.
"The best advice I've ever received from anyone other than myself was when they advised me to take responsibility of my abilities," says Mayumi. This means embracing her art, even in the midst of self-doubt. "Don't say 'no' to anyone else," she adds. "You are thinking, 'Oh, but it's not working yet. Oh, but I won't get in. Oh, but it's not going to happen. There is no one who has told you that until now. You have told you that. So let that go, shoot the shot, and never know. The majority of the time, it works out."
We had a chance to talk with Mayumi just before her Staff Picked film "Different Than before" was awarded the Jury Award for Best Music Video at the 2023 SXSW festival. Take a look at the highlights from our chat in the clip above and then read the complete interview here.
What themes do you find you returning to throughout your work?
Mayumi the themes that I often explore in my films are search of identity, oftentimes family drama. I think a lot of my work comes from intimate places. So, the relationships between families, or being stuck between the different cultures, intergenerational and multi-cultural are kind like my kind of thing.
What motivates you?
Mayumi A: One of the best things about film is that it continues to exist throughout time. The story you tell now it's like this time capsule. Then it will just live on eternally, and these people will experience when you're not in the vicinity. And I think I've seen numerous films that were made way ahead of my time and they affect me. If I was a vessel for stories to continue to be told for a lifetime it became my goal after I made my own movies which I truly enjoyed. I thought, "Ooh, there's more to this. There's a bigger call that just telling me what I love passionately."
We would love to hear about your Staff Pick experience.
Mayumi The experience was really, really exciting. And I think it really had a significant impact on all of us, because this movie had a message for the social and we all wanted it to be a success not just due to the fact that all of us worked hard on the film, but also because the message was something that was needed when we were in that moment as well as. The film was released during Asian Heritage Month, so it really mattered that a lot of viewers saw and felt the message. And staff, they just helped to make it more popular, and I truly appreciated it.
I was very acquainted of Staff Picks, and I was thinking, "Oh, that's the cool group of people." That made me feel like "Oh do I deserve to be there?" And now I just feel like it's just awesome friends having fun, and I'm grateful to be part of the circle.
What's next for you?
Mayumi: What's coming up for me is my debut feature film based off my first short film AKASHI. It's been an extremely long road and I'm just excited that we actually get to make this. I'm really excited to show it at these really cool festivals - and also be able to share it with my friends one day.