From NYC to Hunan: Filmmaker’s Love Affair with Chinese Culture

When Ana Fernandez Perez swapped the skyscrapers of New York for the lush landscapes of Hunan Province in 2009, she didn’t just pack her camera gear – she brought an open heart ready to embrace China’s vibrant culture. The American filmmaker spent a transformative year teaching college students in Xiangtan City, discovering a world far richer than any documentary could capture.

“Everyone I met was hungry to learn, to grow, to connect,” Ana recalled, describing how classroom conversations often spilled into shared meals of spicy Hunan cuisine. From hiking misty mountain trails to bonding with locals over steaming cups of tea, she found inspiration everywhere: “China taught me that beauty isn’t just what you film – it’s how you live.”

Fourteen years later, Ana still draws on lessons from her time in China while producing films in NYC. “That year rewired my creative DNA,” she says, smiling as she describes blending Eastern storytelling techniques into Western narratives. Her story proves cultural curiosity isn’t just trending – it’s the ultimate creative superpower.

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@China: American filmmaker's love for China

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