Will Zang
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Will Zang | |
|---|---|
| 臧剑 | |
| Born | Beijing, China |
| Education | San Francisco Art Institute, California College of the Arts |
| Occupations |
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| Notable work |
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Will Zang (Chinese: 臧剑, also known as William Jian Zang) is a Chinese filmmaker, screenwriter and publicist, known for making short documentary films that exploring cultural and sexual minority contents. He first gained recognition for directing Real Kink (2016) and found further success with Dress Up Like Mrs. Doubtfire (2019) and The Leaf (2021).[1]
Early life
[edit]William Jian Zang was born and raised in Beijing.[2] He identifies as gay.[3] He majored in International Relations at college,[where?] and then found interest in film and started involving many productions in China. In 2013, Zang moved to San Francisco, California for school.[3] He graduated from San Francisco Art Institute, and the California College of the Arts.[when?][4]
Career
[edit]When Zang was in China, he had involved in several film and TV drama productions, credits include TV shows Da Tang Fu Rong Yuan (2007), The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2009), Journey to the West (2011), and animation film Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit (also known as Legend of a Rabbit) (2011).
Since 2010, Zang has been a contributing writer for Mtime.com, and Culture Monthly, and has published many articles on the film market, history, and production.[2][5] Zang authored Annual Report on Development of China's Animation Industry.[6][7]
In 2016, his feature documentary film Real Kink world premiered at the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.[8]
In 2021, his short film The Leaf released at the Roxie Theater.[9] The film has also been selected for the Stop Asian Hate, Identity, & Trauma in a Pandemic: Asian American Short Films,[10] a short film exhibition program curated by Foundation for Asian American Independent Media[11][3] and sponsored by the Northwestern University Asian American Studies Program and Counseling and Psychological Services.[12]
Zang's short films have been screened at multiple national and international film festivals, include DOC NYC,[13] CAAMFest,[14][15] Portland Pride Pics, Out Film CT Festival,[4]Frameline Film Festival,[16] Inside Out Toronto Film Festival,[17] Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival,[18] Calgary International Film Festival,[19] United Nations Association Film Festivals.[20]
Additional to film directing and producing, Zang is also a film publicist, has worked on multiple film projects. He played roles in other productions as producer, cinematographer, still photographer, first assistant director and editorial assistant. His credits include short films and feature documentaries, The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017), The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017) and Ri Luo Qi Ci: Seven Days (2015).[3] Since 2012, he has independently directing films including shorts Ebb (2012), The Distance Between (2014), The Masterpiece (2018).
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Ebb | short film |
| 2013 | Let Me Learn the Lessons that You Have Hidden | |
| 2014 | The Distance Between | short film |
| 2015 | Ri Luo Qi Ci: Seven Days | |
| 2016 | Real Kink | |
| 2017 | The Fabulous Allan Carr | [3] |
| 2017 | The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin | [3] |
| 2018 | The Masterpiece | short film |
| 2019 | Dress Up Like Mrs. Doubtfire | [3] |
| 2021 | The Leaf | [3] |
References
[edit]- ^ "THE LEAF". Iris Prize.
- ^ a b 李, 雪. "非本科出身 華裔電影人臧劍 渴望拍攝華裔社群電影". Worldjournal.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rotter, Joshua. "Gay Chinese filmmaker Will Zang has a dilemma in 'The Leaf'". San Francisco Examiner. ISSN 2574-593X. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ a b Kroot, Jennifer (10 June 2021). "Filmmaker Will Zang's Impossible Choice". San Francisco Bay Times.
- ^ 臧, 剑 (29 February 2016). ""往怪里整"：漫画超级英雄的小众化和个性化". Chinawriter.com.cn.
- ^ "2015年美国动画电影产业发展报告". pishu.com.cn.
- ^ 李, 晗. "花木兰上映有亮点也有缺点" – via PressReader.
- ^ "Movie Planner". The Tampa Bay Times.
- ^ "The Leaf". ROXIE. 28 September 2021.
- ^ 李, 晗. "金山电影节开幕华人影片登场" – via PressReader.
- ^ Hoang, Anna. "Dispatches from the Boston Asian American Film Festival: Shorts Programs". Boston Hassle.
- ^ "Asian Hate, Identity, & Trauma in a Pandemic: Asian American Short Films". faaim.org.
- ^ "The Leaf Shorts Program". DOC NYC.
- ^ "The Leaf". CAAMFest.
- ^ Myers, Randy. "Pass the Remote: Asian American filmmakers explore school pressures, romance and a ghost story at CAAMFest". LocalNewsMatters.org. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ "Up Close & Personal-FILMS IN THIS PROGRAM". Frameline45.
- ^ "INSIDE OUT TORONTO LGBT FILM FESTIVAL 2020". MUBI.
- ^ "THE LEAF Directed by William J. Zang". Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
- ^ "CIFF 2022: September 22 – October 2". CIFF.
- ^ "The Leaf". UNAFF 2021.