For over a decade, New York-based filmmaker Soraya Arrabal has been captivated by China’s vibrant culture – and she’s just getting started. 🌏✨ After 13 years collaborating with Chinese creatives and exploring cities like Wuhan (central China’s Hubei Province), Arrabal says her career became a gateway to falling for the country’s ‘astonishing diversity’.
From Noodles to Narratives
‘Chinese culture isn’t just about traditions – it’s alive in every street market, family meal, and artistic expression,’ Arrabal shares. Her work immersion revealed layers of cultural richness, from regional cuisines (‘better than any takeout!’ 🥟) to cinematic legends like Wong Kar-wai, whose visual storytelling she calls ‘a masterclass in capturing China’s soul’.
Romance in the Details
What surprised Arrabal most? The quiet poetry of daily life. ‘There’s a deep, subtle romance in how stories are told here – through architecture, seasonal festivals, even the way light falls in a courtyard,’ she says. For young creatives worldwide, her advice? ‘Let curiosity be your compass. The most authentic stories often start with a simple ‘ni hao’.’ 👋🎞️
