Melody Not Bad: Interviews with Chinese Post-80s Directors

With digital replacing film, and mobile phones becoming cameras, cinema is no longer exclusive to the big screen. So, what constitutes a good film? Twelve up-and-coming directors born in the 1980s have entered the world of "independent cinema" with small productions and low budgets. Under the constraints of limited funding and a niche market, they often go against mainstream thinking and creative methods, carving out a unique landscape in the socio-cultural sphere. "Honey, It's Not Bad: Interviews with Post-80s Chinese-Language Directors" is a collection of interviews the author conducted across mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. As a creator also born in the 1980s, the author engages in dialogue with these 12 emerging directors, bringing creative and social questions to the table. This is a conversation among equals, where they learn from each other. The so-called "independent spirit" is not about distinguishing whether a film is commercial or underground, but rather about "what" the director is independent from during the creative process, and it also reflects on Bourdieu's cultural theory. Every artist has a creative journey, which can mature over time or stop at any point. These 12 conversations represent the original aspirations of 12 young directors. Honey doesn't spoil; it symbolizes the hope for a new wave of cinema.