Rachel Wolchin once said, “If we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots instead of feet.”
Elenore believes that women are the true architects of society. She once told me, “We women mold and shape the future generation to become the best versions of themselves.” This interview with her has been as intriguing as I tried to map out what being a woman means to her in today’s society.
Looking back, I wasn’t aware at first how lucky I was to grow up with wonderful women around me—women who inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, and pursue my hopes and dreams. Most of my teachers have been women throughout my life – from my mother, my spiritual mentors to my academic mentors. I truly belie that women are the driving force of the world that goes unappreciated. Throughout my life, I have seen amazing women jiggling plates among hundreds of things at the same time and yet keeping their poise and kindness. I have learned resilience and greater love from women who have such big hearts – it was because of them I learned that complaining doesn’t solve anything and how to perform under pressure.
I believe that every woman has unique talents and abilities that are not visible to the world. I am the lucky few who, thanks to my mother and my mentors, never felt like there are things I can’t do only because I am a woman. I was taught that it’s okay to dream, to want to fly, to want to achieve your goals. When I started playing the piano and showed interest in things like art, photography, books, and music, my mother never discouraged me. In fact, she always encouraged me to explore my artistic abilities.
Another woman who is important to me is my childhood piano teacher. She was a true maverick. She came from an art teacher’s family whose lives were heavily impacted by the culture revolution in China. Yet she showed nothing but dignity, professionalism and positivity throughout her career and her interaction with anyone. Running her own piano school soon after free economy was restored in China, she not only told but showed me that the world is my oyster as long as I don’t give up in face of hardships.
When I got into the Northwestern University, I met a lot of wonderful teachers and female mentors who shaped and molded me into who I am today. They taught me that dreams are achieved when you step out of your comfort zone. When I got the opportunity to work on my To the Moon documentary with Harvard, I took inspiration from my favorite female directors such as Agnes Varda, Claire Dennis and Chantal Akerman. I have always been inspired by their sensitivity and unique voice, and I made it my goal to create something along the same caliber one day.
Some of my work has also been heavily inspired by contemporary Chinese female directors such as Vivian Qu and Chloe Zhao.
If I’ve learned one thing from life, it’s the fact that gender doesn’t define you. It’s not your identity. But women have, and will always be the unsung heroes of the filmmaking world.