Overlapping Worlds: When Storytellers Meet (in Beijing)

Salutations, dear reader. It is I, your loyal scribe and chronicler, and perhaps you've sometimes wondered: Just where does she get the inspiration for her blog posts? Well, from my interests first and foremost, and then I just really try to keep an eye on whatever's going on in town. Who are the cool cats, and what are they cooking? Opportunities abound in Beijing, and it is, thus, no surprise that I am always partial to novelty. 

That being said, I do take great pleasure in catching up with former subjects. After all, our personal stories are always unfolding, and long after any of my blog posts go out, people just keep on going with their own projects and aspirations. Today is one such chance to reconnect with friends!  Last October, I met with acclaimed storyteller and traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor Lethan Candlish for a very inspiring interview prompted by an otherwise tragic loss. Those who attended the charity event that ensued surely remember his one-man performance, “Who Am I, Again?”, a moving exploration of identity and recovery after a TBI. And if you missed out on it, fret not! Over the last few months, Lethan has joined forces with film director and producer Nathan Williams in Telling, an upcoming film adaptation of his unique journey and life mission. The project needs community support to thrive – more on that later – and so Lethan will be bringing his show back onstage again at Fun Young Bar in Beixinqiao on Sun, Mar 23, at 3pm. Following the performance, Nathan will be sharing insights on the behind-the-scenes process, with a live Q&A session. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention – March just happens to be TBI Awareness Month, so there couldn't be a more fitting occasion for this launch.

I expect this to be a remarkable event, and so I couldn't help but sit with both Nathan and Lethan to chat about the intersection between storytelling and filmmaking, the challenges that creatives face and more. Read our conversation below and don't pass on Sunday's action! Your support will make all the difference to this worthwhile initiative. 

Hello to both of you! Thrilled to have you here, and let's jump straight into my first question for Nathan. I would love to know more about your background as a filmmaker – the themes prevalent in your body of work, if any, as well as your approach to cinema. When did that Beijing connection happen, and how did you meet Lethan? 
NW: Hello, it's a pleasure to talk to the Beijinger today. I have over twenty years of experience as a filmmaker under my belt, mostly in documentaries and factual media. As a teenager, I was obsessed with noir and longed to become the next Quentin Tarantino or Alfred Hitchcock. Then I grew up and had to build for myself a paying career, as one does, and eventually, I found greater success in the documentary field. 

A large part of my career in the United Kingdom prior to the move to China took place at this charity-oriented media, producing a series of community-led films. I would have to be honest that working in the so-called “third sector” – non-governmental and non-profit-making organizations such as charities, voluntary groups, cooperatives, and more – was never my goal. That being said, it did allow me to hone my craft and enable those I worked with to up-skill themselves. Here I was, working closely with people who got to share their own stories, and ultimately using film myself as a medium to convey meaningful messages with the ability to create impact. In that sense, I feel that this new film about Lethan's story is taking me back to those roots. Beyond the already outstanding main message of his performance, the show really spoke to me because I ultimately saw a compelling story that could be adapted into a film, and then the film itself had the potential to do good for Lethan's own mission. Like most filmmakers, on a personal level I am always looking out for great stories to tell. “Who Am I, Again?” ticked every single box on my list. 

You guys really look like a great match. Anything to add, Lethan?
LC: Nathan and I met through a mutual friend. But our true connection came from his attending a performance of “Who Am I, Again?” Just like he mentioned above, the show inspired him, and I was also thrilled to hear his exciting ideas to work on this piece together and come up with what we think is a unique film experience. Nathan took the initiative after our discussions to gather a team of artistic producers who contributed to his vision, and I am really excited to witness his film concept being gradually shaped into reality. The project is really growing so wonderfully.  

I bet! In what ways does Telling complement and expand your already existing work?
LC: The storytelling piece itself is undoubtedly enriched by Nathan's meta-view that incorporates a series of ideas and philosophies that I've explored myself in my book Who Am I Now? Using Storytelling to Accept and Appreciate Self-Identity after Traumatic Brain Injury. New layers of meaning are now there in the story, which was initially about TBI survival and a renewed appreciation of self-identity after trauma. Nathan's film, I feel, has broadened that lens to include my personal journey of discovering storytelling after trauma – a really valuable tool for recovery. Excitingly, much of my published writing has focused on these truths that I discovered as I came up with, and refined, my performance. Now, the film truly feels like the next stage of evolution for my work.

Lovely. Nathan, what can the audience look forward to on this new date with Lethan?
NW: Our event on Mar 23 will begin with Lethan's own captivating one-man show, which is already reason enough to drop by. We will then hold a brief presentation about the film, our team and our vision for the project, including our production plans. We'll end on a Q&A session, and then we're hoping for some proper networking at the end. I strongly encourage the filmmaking and acting community of Beijing to attend, but I'd also like to extend my invitation to anyone who is sympathetic to the cause and would like to show support in other ways.

I hope our audience will appreciate the original material just as much as the ongoing collaboration for this film adaptation. For over twenty years, Lethan has advocated for using storytelling as a means to help people reclaim their identity after TBI. In this journey, he has created his signature storytelling performance and written a book that goes into further detail about his own experience. When I first approached Lethan, it was apparent to me that we hailed from different creative backgrounds. I was also acutely aware that this is Lethan's own story – he has refined his work for years, and now it has a life of its own. Film as a medium means that we did have to depart in rather significant ways from the original material. However, we're still staying loyal to it. Telling should be understood as an expansion of Lethan's own world, with new perspectives, insights and characters.   

This honestly sounds so exciting. How meaningful the process must be, not just for you two but for your cast. Are there any anecdotes you'd like to highlight about the journey so far? What kind of connections are you forging with the team? 
NW: There are several challenges to adapting a theatre performance and a book into a cohesive narrative for a film. In the absence of any blueprint that guides you on what to keep and what to leave out, what to expand and what to cut, the most obvious change is that the film is no longer a "one-man" story. Onstage, Lethan is on his own to get in the shoes of different characters that provide an objective yet emotional account of his story. However, for the film we are looking to cast great actors and use real settings in order to bring them to life along with Lethan's story. 

For some of those characters, who are actually based on real people, we will expand their world and show a more three-dimensional, nuanced perspective of the impact that TBI brings into a survivor's life and their entire surroundings. As a director, I am also really excited to note that I am treating this as an experimental film. Telling is not a documentary, nor a drama. It's not a filmed stage play, either. But it does have elements of all three genres and formats. The film will start on stage, weaving the audience in and out of real-world scenes and animation as we delve into Lethan's story. I honestly can't reference any other film that has done this, and this newness feels so refreshing to me. For sure, I draw inspiration from films and filmmakers that I like, but I think part of the fun lies in coming up with something new, even if there is no frame of reference. You want to see something new, and so you go for it. 

A special moment for me so far was the first and second read-through of our script. These were possible thanks to Anais Maro, our creative producer; she got some friends together and they helped us read through one of our drafts of the script. It was amazing to hear these characters come to life and finally witness everything play out. Within ten minutes of the read-through, it dawned on me that we had created something that truly works from a narrative perspective. I can also assure the audience that this will be a great visual journey. Obviously, we had feedback from our friends that we implemented accordingly, and I expect that even more editing will come as we step further along the pre-production and production process.   

For sure. Speaking of the process, I can only imagine the challenges of making films in our current world and economy. You're still seeking support, financially just as much as in terms of human capital. So, we'd love to help you broadcast what you need from the local community, and I'd love to learn more about your challenges as a filmmaker in our current age. Do you feel it is easier now than before, with social media as a tool? How do you find community in Beijing?
NW: Indeed, we'll be starting a Kickstarter funding campaign where we will not only raise funds for the film, but also for selected charities that assist TBI survivors. My mind raced with ideas when I first saw Lethan perform. How can I make this happen on a shoestring budget? That was a question that I began to answer by myself when I started reaching out to others and sharing my vision. Now, the project has grown and there has been some very real and tangible support as well as a genuine commitment to see this project to the end. This was a moment of realization for me that I did not have to work alone. In fact, there was this potential to achieve something really great if I worked in the framework of a community. So this really brings us back to this film truly representing a return to my community-led film roots. 

I have been a witness to communities coming together in the United Kingdom to support each other and raise funds to attain some incredible things. I have had the privilege of working with some of those communities on national campaign videos, raising awareness for issues like domestic abuse, rural crime, special educational needs, mental health and more. These are issues that affect people at a grassroots level every day, issues that just need a space for voices to be heard. This project could be understood as a vehicle in that sense, and I do really hope that the Beijing community will show up and support us in any way they can. 

I truly do hope as much myself. Lethan, March has been TBI Awareness Month. What are your hopes about this project's launch and contribution to such a special month in the calendar? 
LC: As always, I hope that we inspire survivors to share their stories. The more they do, the more awareness is raised about TBI. This, in turn, helps us all inform the general public about what it actually means to have a brain injury, thus decreasing the stigma that grows from a lack of information.

Here's to that great mission. Nathan, let's close this post with you. You alluded to the filmmaking community of Beijing. What would your advice be for anyone in this field?
NW: I was a film mentor for the British Film Institute for several years as part of my work in the third-sector industry in the UK. In this capacity, I have met some promising young people entering the film industry, and the advice I had for them stands valid for anyone here in Beijing – create. Start from whatever level you're at, build something and then bring along others to work together on it. That's such a crucial element to success. Connect with people who may not necessarily be like you but still share your interest in making good work. 

Personally, I've found that the most long-lasting professional relationships I've had have emerged from my working with those who wanted to succeed themselves. We would then forge this friendship that nurtured all parties involved. Working with friends does not always automatically lead to success, and so I would encourage you to look for the people who you really admire and abide by a good work ethic, rather than just those that you immediately click with. Finally, and on the topic of originality – I do not think it comes from the conception of your project, but rather from the execution. After all, nearly every type of story has already been told, and TBI stories are no exception. But, we haven't told this story before – and that's what makes it original. The same goes for your story on zombies, your comedy, your romance, your drama, your action film. The originality you're seeking is inside yourself and is the piece you need to turn your idea into an amazing piece of work. And once you've done it – tell me all about it! For questions on this project, or just if you'd like to connect for anything film related, find me on WeChat by scanning the QR code below. 

"Who Am I Now?" will take place at Fun Young Bar on Sun, March 23, from 3pm to 6pm (doors open at 2.30pm). Tickets are RMB 100 and include a drink plus a donation to the project, though additional donations are welcome. 

Fun Young Bar 
101, Bldg 23, 7, Banqiao Nanxiang, Dongcheng District (in the courtyard of the People's Art Culture and Art Park)
东城区板桥南巷7号23幢101(人民美术文化艺术园区院内)

READ: "The Story of Trees": Joint Chinese and Western Art Exhibition at Dong Yue Art Museum

Images courtesy of Anna Isaeva and Nathan Williams