jenny xueer wan
Director / Writer
To make the world safer for human differences.
Jenny was born and raised in China, is now living and working in London. Professional filmmaker, actor, occasional analog photographer.
She was trained as a screen director in Drama Centre London and as a professional actor by Ewa Kolodziejska. She understands actors' process and considers herself an actor's director.
Jenny is keen on telling stories that are emotionally powerful, complex and nuanced.
Being brought up and educated under two somehow contradicting cultures, her passion also lies in telling stories that are transnational and speak to a universal audience.
Selected Filmography as director:
Swing (2017), also writer & editor
Friends? (2017), also writer & editor
Rhinoceros in Love (2018), also writer
Assassins (2019)
Intruder (2022), also co-writer
Smoked Fish (2022), also writer
On Saturday Morning (2023) , post-production
Post Exposure, in preproduction
In her own words
“Thank you.” In the film Shoplifters (2018), watching her non-biological family enjoying themselves by the sea from a distance, dying grandma Hatsue mouths her gratitude. This moment is captured through director Kore-eda’s distinctive still, low-angled shot, accompanied by children’s reckless laughters and rich chords of acoustic guitar in the background. It is a quiet yet powerful moment. It resonates with us with the utter softness and kindness, but at the same time breaks our heart under the context of a cruel and complicated reality. Shoplifters is a powerful film, and speaks with a universal audience, because of these moments.
Films to me in general, are powerful because of these moments. Moments that capture the complexities of humanity, connect separate worlds and enable universal conversations. These moments provide people from contradicting backgrounds, people who look, sound and think differently from one another, with a chance to connect. Through these connections, our world can become a more understanding place, a place that is more tolerant of, and therefore safer, for all kinds of human differences.
That is the reason I want to make films.
When we were little, we all wanted to be a superhero, to change the world, to make a difference.
I believe I've found my way.
