"Bridging Cultures Through Film: Yukiko Cho’s Journey with KANOJO"
Welcome Yukiko, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.
Who is Yukiko Cho and how did the passion for creating begin?
Yukiko Cho is a filmmaker passionate about creating emotionally resonant, visually captivating stories. Born in Japan to Chinese parents, she spent her early years in China before returning to Japan. This multicultural upbringing shaped her unique perspective, which she brings to her films by exploring diverse narratives that connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Yukiko’s passion for creating began at a young age through art forms like drawing, printmaking, and model assembly. In junior high school, she developed a love for theater and dreamed of becoming a stage director. However, her journey into filmmaking began in high school when she directed her first short film. Screening it at her school festival and witnessing the audience’s reaction ignited her passion for storytelling and set her on the path to becoming a filmmaker.
She pursued filmmaking in Japan before moving to Los Angeles. As a director and cinematographer, her work has garnered international recognition. Films like KANOJO and One Sun have won awards at prestigious festivals, showcasing her ability to blend emotional depth with striking visuals. Today, Yukiko continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, creating films that resonate, inspire, and leave a lasting impact.
Can you tell us a bit about your previous work?
My filmmaking journey has been defined by projects that delve into meaningful themes and push the boundaries of visual storytelling. One of my most notable works is KANOJO (2023), an award- winning LGBTQ short film that explores the intersection of cultural and personal identity. As both director and cinematographer, I aimed to capture the emotional depth of the story through nuanced performances and evocative visuals. The film garnered awards, nominations, and official selections at several festivals, including a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying Festival.
Another project which I directed is One Sun (2023), a sci-fi short film that won Best Director – Sci- Fi Film at the Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards. The story about a agent who rediscovers his past and faces a choice between love and duty in a dystopian future, reflects my passion for crafting visually immersive and thought-provoking narratives.
Beyond directing, I’ve worked as a cinematographer on a range of films, refining my skills in lighting, composition, and visual storytelling. My work is driven by a commitment to crafting compelling, character-driven stories that connect with audiences on a deeper level. Each project I take on represents my dedication to sharing unique perspectives and creating lasting emotional impact.
KANOJO explores the intersection of cultural and personal identity. How did your own experiences growing up in a bicultural environment influence the story and its emotional core? What inspired it ?
KANOJO is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of growing up between two cultures. As someone with a Japanese and Chinese background, I’ve always navigated the complexities of cultural identity and personal expression. These experiences shaped my understanding of the challenges faced when balancing societal expectations with inner truths, which became the emotional core of the film.
The story of KANOJO follows a young woman grappling with her sexual identity and her struggle to share it with her mother, who comes from a traditional Chinese background. This conflict reflects my own observations of how cultural norms can shape family dynamics and create barriers to open communication. I wanted to explore the universal longing for acceptance and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self.
The inspiration for KANOJO came from my own reflections on cultural expectations. By weaving these perspectives with my personal experiences, I aimed to craft a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. With this film, I sought to highlight the courage it takes to break free from societal norms and embrace one’s identity, while also emphasizing the power of love, understanding, and connection in bridging cultural and generational divides.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: ''KANOJO''
What does the title KANOJO (meaning "she" in Japanese) signify for you in the context of the story?
The title, KANOJO, translates to "she" or "girlfriend" in Japanese. When I was searching for the right title for my film, nothing seemed to fit, so I left it untitled for a long time while developing the script. I wanted something that wouldn’t give away too much about the story but would still carry meaning and emotional weight.
The breakthrough came during a conversation with my mother, who has always supported me in my creative endeavors. I shared my struggle to find the perfect title, and since she knew the story well, we brainstormed together. It was during this exchange that the word kanojo came from her lips. The moment she said it, I knew it was the one. The word perfectly encapsulated the themes of the film while remaining subtle and deeply tied to its cultural roots.
KANOJO holds layers of meaning in the context of the story, representing identity, love, and self- acceptance. Its simplicity and universality resonated with the emotional core of the film. The title honors the personal and cultural elements woven into the narrative, while also acknowledging the collaborative spirit that shaped the project—beginning with that special moment shared with my mom.
Can you walk us through one of your favorite scenes in the film? What makes it special to you, either from a personal or technical perspective?
My favorite scene in KANOJO is when Nicole’s mother, Lucy, discovers her daughter’s secret while cleaning her bedroom. This scene is pivotal to the entire story, as it’s the moment Lucy learns about Nicole’s true sexual identity by reading her diary. It’s a turning point where Lucy begins to understand what her daughter truly wants and who she aspires to be. The scene becomes even more emotionally charged when Nicole walks into the room and sees her mother holding the diary. Lucy confronts her, asking if she loves the person written about in the diary. This confrontation forces Nicole to finally come out and reveal her true identity. However, this revelation leads to a heated argument between them, heightening the emotional intensity of the scene. From a personal perspective, this scene is special because it captures the raw, unfiltered emotions of love, fear, and misunderstanding between a parent and child. Technically, it was challenging to balance the performances with the intimate framing and lighting, ensuring every subtle expression was captured. The tension and vulnerability in this moment make it one of the most memorable and meaningful scenes in the film.
KANOJO serves as your thesis film and marks an important milestone in your career. How does it feel to debut with such a personal and culturally significant project? Faced any challenges ?
Debuting with KANOJO as my thesis film was both an exciting and deeply personal experience. The film allowed me to explore themes of cultural identity and the emotional complexity of being caught between two worlds, which are close to my own heart as someone with both Chinese and Japanese backgrounds. Creating KANOJO was a way for me to share a story that reflects my own journey, while also addressing universal themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. The challenges I faced were both technical and emotional. Balancing my roles as director and cinematographer required a lot of careful planning and focus to ensure the story’s emotional core was effectively conveyed through visuals. On a personal level, working on a project that deeply reflected my cultural experiences was both rewarding and at times challenging, as I had to be vulnerable and authentic with the material. But these challenges ultimately made the process even more meaningful, as the film became an opportunity for self-expression and growth. Seeing KANOJO resonate with audiences at various film festivals has been incredibly fulfilling, and it has reaffirmed my belief in the power of storytelling to bridge cultural gaps and connect people on a deeper level.
What is the central message or feeling you want audiences to walk away with after watching your work ?
Through my films, I aim to leave audiences with a sense of introspection, connection, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. By exploring the complexities of identity, relationships, and the struggles that shape us, I hope to inspire empathy and bridge diverse perspectives. My stories blend universal themes with deeply personal narratives, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. Ultimately, I want my work to resonate emotionally, sparking meaningful conversations and leaving a lasting impression that inspires audiences to see themselves—and others—in a new light.
In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore ?
In future projects, I plan to continue exploring genre intersections that delve into complex themes while pushing creative boundaries. Currently, I’m developing my first feature film, a sci-fi story that raises questions about war, humanity, and the environmental challenges we may face in a dystopian future. This project allows me to explore deeper narratives about the human condition and our relationship with the world around us. At the same time, I’m eager to branch out into genres like horror and fantasy. These genres offer unique opportunities to experiment with visual storytelling, particularly in framing, lighting, and atmosphere. Horror’s ability to evoke raw emotion and tension, combined with fantasy’s imaginative scope, presents endless possibilities for innovation in both storytelling and cinematography.
By blending thought-provoking themes with visually immersive narratives, I hope to create projects that resonate with audiences on multiple levels. Each new genre and story is a chance to grow as a filmmaker and push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual storytelling.
What’s a piece of advice you wish you’d received before navigating the complex cultural landscapes that inspired KANOJO?
One piece of advice I wish I’d received before shooting KANOJO is to believe in myself and trust my instincts. When I initially shared my plan to take on both roles as director and cinematographer for the project, most of the feedback I received was discouraging. Many people told me it wasn’t possible, that it wasn’t a job meant for one person, and that I would likely fail if I attempted both. Hearing this left me feeling uncertain and stressed throughout much of pre-production, questioning whether I should even move forward with this decision.
In the end, I trusted myself and took on the challenge. It wasn’t easy—it required meticulous preparation and an immense amount of effort—but it paid off. The shoot went smoothly and the results were strong because I had planned everything thoroughly in advance. Looking back, I wish someone had told me earlier that with enough preparation, determination, and confidence, I could achieve what I set out to do.
This marks the conclusion of the interview featuring our esteemed artist, Yukiko Cho. Our community is growing steadily, with a continuous influx of skilled filmmakers and screenwriters joining us. Explore our other interviews, and consider scheduling one for yourself to showcase your creative endeavors.
