Biography

Wang Xunan is an independent filmmaker based in Hong Kong, specializing in documentary and cinematic virtual reality. He uses documentary filmmaking as a means to connect with the city of Hong Kong, exploring the boundaries between fiction and reality. His documentary Lost in HK was featured at the HKBU Non-fiction Fortnight and iisuArt "Beyond Actuality" Non-fiction Film Festival, while People Republic of Letters, a collaborative project he contributed to, was selected for the 2024 IDFA Forum.

Beyond documentaries, Wang delves into emerging media to present reality: his volumetric film Future City: A Parametric Cinema was exhibited at the Hong Kong Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture, and his VR short film Beyond the Box earned the “Best Creative” award from the Canon x VeeR VR content creator competition. Through immersive storytelling, Wang challenges conventional narratives and explores themes of posthumanism and the boundaries of the screen.

Experience at MALCS

Before joining MALCS, I was trained as a filmmaker, focusing primarily on storytelling through practice. MALCS provided a platform to critically deconstruct and analyze the narrative strategies I once relied on, bridging the gap between theory and practice. This allowed me to approach films as both an “author” and a “reader,” reflecting on their cultural dimensions.

One of the best things about the programme was its interdisciplinary nature. I was introduced to diverse methodologies and theories, particularly on subculture, class and globalization, in Dr. Winnie Yee’s core course. I applied these concepts through collaborations with classmates from various backgrounds, producing documentaries and curating world cinema festivals in Dr. Esther Yau’s sophisticated film courses. Beyond familiar cinematic texts, MALCS encouraged me to delve into literature, philosophy, and even dance. This fusion of theory and practice broadened my creative perspective and inspired a rethinking of my research approach.

My Capstone project, supervised by Prof. Gray Kochhar-Lindgren—a true magician of philosophy—merged film and postmodern theory with VR filmmaking, exploring the language of VR and transmedia storytelling. Building on this project, I am currently developing a research proposal for a practice-based PhD program.

One of the best things about the programme was its interdisciplinary nature. I was introduced to diverse methodologies and theories, particularly on subculture, class and globalization,

Words for Students and Potential Applicants

MALCS is remarkably inclusive, welcoming students from diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and age groups. Don’t hesitate or feel discouraged if you think you’re not “specialised” enough—conversations and exchanges with classmates often spark unexpected inspiration in your own areas of expertise.

From a pragmatic perspective, the knowledge gained in MALCS may not directly translate into immediate career advancement. However, the true value lies in reflecting on the essence of work itself and uncovering the underlying structure of the world we inhabit. It’s not about finding definitive answers but continuously interrogate what truly deserves to be pursued.

Habibi Xunan Wang