07 Jun 2024
"'Openness and inclusivity, pioneering spirit, respect for culture and education, striving for excellence, integrity and pragmatism, and balancing righteousness and profit.' I aim to share not only the 29 processes involved in the 'Imperial Kiln Brick' craftsmanship but also the cultural spirit embodied in this craft."
From ancient kilns in Suzhou to the dazzling stage of international film festivals, Yilin Li has built a cultural bridge through her lens.
(Yilin Li delivers an acceptance speech at the MEGA ceremony)
Among the students in the Master's programme in Cultural and Creative Industries at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Yilin Li has garnered significant attention for her documentary "Imperial Kiln Brick." Centred around the national intangible cultural heritage of Suzhou—the Imperial Kiln Brick—the documentary delves into its history and features the story of inheritor Jin Jin, showcasing the unique charm and profound cultural significance of the Imperial Kiln Brick.
To date, "Imperial Kiln Brick" has been shortlisted for five film festival awards and has won four international film festival accolades.
(Poster of "Imperial Kiln Brick")
Passion and Inspiration: The Creation of Imperial Kiln Brick
Yilin Li’s documentary "Imperial Kiln Brick" focuses on the intangible cultural heritage of Suzhou—the Imperial Kiln Brick. When discussing her motivation for creating this documentary, Yilin Li mentioned the influence of her mother, who works in the cultural and creative industries.
"Growing up surrounded by cultural influences, I developed a lasting interest in the cultural field."
Additionally, Yilin Li holds a special affection for the city of Suzhou. She hopes her documentary will reveal Suzhou's beauty and rich cultural heritage to a wider audience.
"Suzhou is undoubtedly the birthplace of Jiangnan culture. It has both modern aspects and a deep cultural history. I love this blend."
After three years of studying Film and Television Production at XJTLU, Yilin Li used her camera to capture and convey her deep affection for Jiangnan culture and intangible cultural heritage.
In August 2022, Yilin Li began preparing for the filming of "Imperial Kiln Brick." During the production of the documentary, she wore many hats, handling scriptwriting, interviewing, filming, and editing.
"I made daily plans, organising every minute and task meticulously."
"The making of the Imperial Kiln Brick involves 29 processes. I needed to spend significant time on-site to understand and observe, enabling me to tell the story of the bricks properly."
Facing the arduous task of editing material, she admitted it was the most challenging part. "Condensing hours of footage into a 20-minute story was tough. I revised the editing plan 11 times and spent nine months polishing the final piece."
(Interviewing Jin Jin, inheritor of the Imperial Kiln Brick)
(On-site filming)
Cultural Bridge: Showcasing the Spirit of Imperial Kiln Brick to the World
"'Openness and inclusivity, pioneering spirit, respect for culture and education, striving for excellence, integrity and pragmatism, and balancing righteousness and profit.' The Imperial Kiln Brick team has deeply explored the contemporary value of Jiangnan culture, demonstrating its leading role."
Yilin Li hopes her documentary will help audiences understand how this spirit is integrated into daily life and craftsmanship, showcasing the profound and unique charm of Chinese culture.
Yilin Li is also committed to promoting Jiangnan intangible cultural heritage on international platforms.
"Suzhou is not just about gardens and tea culture; it has much deeper cultural connotations. The craftsmanship of Imperial Kiln Bricks not only demonstrates traditional skills but also reflects the resilience and perseverance of the Chinese people."
Yilin Li aims for "Imperial Kiln Brick" to let foreign audiences feel the unique intangible cultural heritage of Suzhou and the spirit of Chinese craftsmanship.
To date, "Imperial Kiln Brick" has won numerous international film festival awards, including the "Amazing Female Filmmaker Award" at the Kalakari Film Fest in India, "Best Documentary" at the Aasha International Film Festival, "Best Documentary" at the Dabieshan Student Film Festival, and the "Jiangnan Culture Award" at the MEGA International Creative Media Ceremony. It was also shortlisted for five international film festivals, including the University of Pennsylvania's Double Exposure Film Festival in the United States.
Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Vice Dean of the School of Cultural Technology and Dean of the School of Film and TV Arts, supervised Yilin Li's work on "Imperial Kiln Brick." Speaking of her student, Professor Mai said, "Yilin Li’s documentary 'Imperial Kiln Brick' not only records the craftsmanship and heritage of Imperial Kiln Bricks but also conveys her love for Jiangnan culture and her awareness of protecting intangible cultural heritage. Her efforts and perseverance show us how a young creator can use film to preserve and promote the beauty and power of Chinese culture."
(Award for Best Documentary at the Dabieshan Student Film Festival)
(Jiangnan Culture Award at the MEGA International Creative Media Ceremony)
Experience and Future Plans
Yilin Li completed her undergraduate studies in Film and Television Production at XJTLU and chose to pursue a Master's degree in Cultural and Creative Industries. This academic transition allowed her to shift from pure art creation to art management.
"Choosing to continue my studies at XJTLU was partly to broaden my understanding of the cultural industry and partly because I hadn’t had enough of XJTLU yet," Yilin Li said with a smile.
During her five years of study and creation at XJTLU, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai was the most influential person in her journey. "Professor Mai provided invaluable advice and support throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate studies and offered steadfast support for my creations and future choices."
Additionally, the MEGA International Creative Media Ceremony significantly impacted Yilin Li. She participated in three consecutive MEGA ceremonies, progressing from a member of the External Relations Department to Head of External Relations, and eventually becoming Chair of the third MEGA.
"This experience greatly enhanced my organisational and communication skills and gave me a deep understanding of the workings of film festivals," Yilin Li said.
(Graduation photo of Yilin Li)
(Yilin Li with Jin Jin, inheritor of the Imperial Kiln Brick, and Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai)
Besides her work with the MEGA ceremony, Yilin Li gained extensive internship experience at XJTLU’s Marketing and Communications Office (UMC), The Voice of China Suzhou Division, and Tencent's Shanghai branch. These internships provided her with valuable practical experience. "Especially the internship at UMC, which gave me a deeper understanding of marketing and new perspectives and skills for my future development in the film industry."
Looking ahead, Yilin Li plans to continue her efforts in the film industry. She said, "I hope to establish a solid foundation in the film industry before focusing more on promoting intangible cultural heritage."
For students entering the field of film creation, Yilin Li offers sincere advice: interest is essential, but more critical is a deep understanding and firm choice. It’s important to understand the goals and directions in the field of film arts and cultural and creative industries.
"If you remain passionate about this path after gaining a deep understanding, then stay steadfast and don’t be deterred by external difficulties and challenges."
By Yaxin Liu
Edited byWenzhen Li
Photos provided by Yilin Li
07 Jun 2024