Los Angeles-based Chinese director Xinhao “Violet” Lu draws from his own experiences in his latest film, “Deep Into the Forest,” which premiered at the AFI Fest on October 25. This film has garnered three nominations at the Tribeca Film Festival and has received multiple accolades from various international film festivals.
The story follows a southern Chinese orienteering athlete who is preparing for a national championship but faces a setback when an old Achilles tendon injury resurfaces due to excessive training. Caught between honor and injury, the protagonist grapples with a deep-seated resistance to inhumane collectivism and ultimately makes an astonishing decision.
Jack Wang, who stars in “Deep Into the Forest,” previously appeared in “Oppenheimer,” which won seven Academy Awards. His collaboration with Lu on this film has already earned it awards such as the Platinum Remi Award at the Houston International Film Festival and three nominations in the Moving the Spotlight section at Tribeca, along with nominations from over seven other international festivals.
For Lu, the lead character represents a version of himself from another time and place; he was also an orienteering athlete while studying in his hometown of Zhongshan, Guangdong. The film not only reflects on his coming-of-age journey but also delves into the harsh realities behind the aspirations that Chinese parents hold for their children.
Lu’s passion for filmmaking started at a young age, and he has fearlessly pursued a challenging path in Hollywood. As a Chinese director, he has overcome cultural and language barriers, directing films of various genres over the years. The success of “Deep Into the Forest” is a testament to his hard work. Notably, this film, shot in Los Angeles, features set designs that accurately replicate a city in southern China. Lu and his production team meticulously discussed numerous options and even imported props from China to recreate an authentic setting that could easily be mistaken for an actual location in China.
Another of Lu’s works, “Red Man,” is a darkly humorous short film that explores the backstage life of Chinese acrobats through a single static ten-minute shot. This posed a significant challenge for Lu, as precise movements from the actors were essential; any mistake would require a complete restart. “Red Man” ultimately won the Best Experimental Film award at the 27th Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, highlighting the struggles faced by both new and older Chinese Americans.
With a strong affinity for realistic narratives, Lu is now planning a feature film centered on elderly Chinese Americans, tentatively titled “A Long Night.” “I’ve already written the outline,” he shares. “The protagonist will be a first-generation Chinese immigrant who is slowly aging. I hope to use the power of cinema to authentically portray their lives and bring greater awareness to the Chinese American community.”
