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Exploring Nostalgia: The Heart of Christian Yamane's New Film
Local filmmaker Christian Yamane is adding a fresh, nostalgic twist to contemporary storytelling with his new short film, And Here We Are, which will be featured at the upcoming 2025 San Diego Asian Film Festival from November 6 to 15. This seven-minute piece is not just a film but a reflection on friendship, connection, and the unique blend of old and new visual styles.
A Journey Captured on a Vintage Format
Yamane, who is just 29 and hails from Poway, says his decision to utilize a retro VHS camera was influenced by his own feelings of nostalgia. He explained, "I wish there was a deeper meaning to shooting with the VHS camera, but in all honesty, I think it just looks really cool." The film plays with visual formats, combining digital and VHS footage to create a distinctive and visually striking narrative.
Thriving on Community Support
Yamane's creativity blossomed during a brief break he originally intended to take from directing. Instead, he reached out to a small circle of friends and fellow filmmakers for help, leading to a collaborative effort that saw both seasoned and first-time actors come together. "It felt like the perfect time to see if I was a fraud or not," he said, highlighting his desire to stretch his storytelling muscles without fear of failure.
Capturing Local Flavor
Part of what makes And Here We Are special is its roots in San Diego's diverse landscape. Shooting in familiar locations, such as Red Brontosaurus Records in North Park, Yamane managed to integrate a local flavor that resonates with the community. His appreciation for Poway, described as a quiet town where one can thrive without needing to leave home, also adds a personal dimension to the film's setting.
A Broader Perspective Through Diverse Voices
Yamane is passionate about representation and aims to empower underrepresented voices in film. His cultural background, as a Filipino-Japanese American, adds a distinctive lens to his work. He believes that stories depicting diverse backgrounds contribute uniquely to the larger narrative of what it means to belong. "We have only scratched the surface on the stories that have been told... championing underrepresented voices is vital in our media today," he emphasized.
Future Prospects in Film
In addition to And Here We Are, Yamane has exciting projects lined up. He is working on another short film titled Sunglasses 3: Return of the Glass for submission to next year’s festival. His development of a feature-length film set to shoot in San Diego next summer indicates a promising trajectory in his filmmaking career.
The Essence of Engaging Storytelling
Yamane's storytelling philosophy revolves around creating engaging narratives that are anything but boring. He cites his influences as eclectic, embracing elements of absurdity, profound questions, and a commitment to meaningful storytelling, all while ensuring the resultant projects remain fun and engaging for the audience.
Join the Celebration of Film
The San Diego Asian Film Festival provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore voices like Yamane's through a multitude of films from 30 countries this November. With more than 150 films on display, it proves that stories can take myriad forms while still resonating on a deeply personal level. As local film enthusiasts gather, it offers a platform to support diverse narratives and share in the joys of cinema.
As we prepare for the festival, mark your calendars for November 8 to catch And Here We Are at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley and support local filmmakers like Yamane who breathe life into our community's artistic expression.
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