Filmmaker Mayumi Yoshida is forging her individual path through personal storytelling
Mayumi Yoshida may be, at present being praised because of her work in filmmaking, yet, as she tells her story, she found herself the field of directing by chance. "I originally started as an actor," says Mayumi. "There weren't a lot of roles to choose from, and there wasn't enough roles I truly, deeply enjoyed at the core of my soul and made me feel"Oh, this is my life.'" So, when an opportunity came up to raise funds to make a short film Mayumi took the initiative to play not only a character but create the film, which is a personal narrative.
"That resulted in a myriad of film festivals,"" Says Mayumi. "It led me to feel, 'Oh, there's plenty I could be doing as a storyteller, as a filmmaker,' rather than just actors." Since then, Mayumi has continued to gradually expand her filmography including collaborating with artist Amanda Sum on artful music videos that reshape expectations and push the boundaries of genre structure.
"The best advice I've ever received from a person other than myself was when they advised me to own my abilities," says Mayumi. It's about embracing the courage to champion her work even when there is self doubt. "Don't be afraid to say no to yourself for others," she adds. "You think, 'Oh, but it's too late to make a difference. Oh, but I won't get in. Oh, but it's unlikely to occur. There is no one who has told you that yet. The truth is that you've already told them. So let that go, take the shot and you never know. The majority of the time, it works out."
We got to talk with Mayumi just before the release of her Staff Picked film "Different Than Before" won 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 as well as read the entire interview in the following article.
What are the themes you see yourself returning to over and over in your job?
Mayumi Mayumi: The themes I usually examine in my films are search of identity, oftentimes family drama. The majority of my movies are based on intimate places. So, the relationships between families, or trapped between different cultures, intergenerational, intercultural, those are sort of my thing.
What motivates you?
Mayumi A: One among the greatest things about films is that it lives forever. It tells a story, and now it's like this time capsule. Then it'll continue to live eternally, and these people will experience when you're not present. In my experience, I've seen numerous films that were created ahead of my time and they affect my life. If I was a vessel for stories to live on forever I decided that was my purpose after creating films of my own that I loved. I was like, "Ooh, there's more to this. It's more than just telling the things I'm passionate about."
Tell us what you thought of your Staff Pick experience.
Mayumi: It was truly, tremendously exciting. In my opinion, it had a significant impact on all of us, because this film had a message for the social and we all wanted it to reach a wider audience, not only because all of us put in a lot of effort to it, but because this message was something we really needed to deliver at the time, and continues to. And we released it during Asian Heritage Month, so it was important that many viewers saw and felt it. And staff, they just, boosted that, so I was really happy with that.
I was very familiar in Staff Picks, and I was thinking, "Oh, that's the cool people group." It caused me to feel as "Oh do I deserve to be there?" And now I just feel like it's just really cool friends hanging out, so I'm really honored to be in the circle.
What's next?
Mayumi: The next thing for me to do is my first film that's based on my very first short film AKASHI. The journey has been long and I feel just thrilled that we get to film this. I'm really excited to show the film at these amazing festivals - and also have it shared with others, on one day.