Xianyi Zhang's Journey and Vision in 'Walking Dog

Xianyi Zhang • 23 May 2024

Xianyi Zhang - Her Artistic Journey and Upcoming Film 'Walking Dog'


Xianyi Zhang (Andy) is a London-based filmmaker and moving image artist whose artistic journey is rich with diverse influences rooted in her hometown, Shanghai, China. Xianyi's early love for writing fostered a profound introspection within her surroundings, laying the foundation for her unique perspective.


In 2018, her passion for experimental film ignited, propelling her into a realm of multifaceted artistic expressions. She pursued her artistic practice in London, earning an MA in Film from the University of the Arts London.


Xianyi's work delves into the challenges faced by individuals in urban environments, exploring themes of alienation and the perpetual quest for self-discovery. With a keen focus on underrepresented groups from a female perspective, her thought-provoking narratives examine identity, societal dynamics, and the profound depths of the human condition.



Her restrained artistic style embodies a rebellion from silence, expressing a spirit of defiance that resonates through her thought-provoking creations.


A year after her last film, “Luminous City,” which was featured in Artist Talk Magazine Issue 30, Xianyi is now working on a new project, “Walking Dog.” This project marks her first collaboration with artist Yuyue He, who is the producer of the film. “Walking Dog” is a visual poem that delves into the depths of alienation and the human desire for freedom, set against the stark canvas of urban decay. The story centers around a woman and her dog, beginning with a routine walk through an industrial wasteland that spirals into a profound exploration of independence and constraint.


In this film, Xianyi aims to capture the essence of confinement not just through the physical landscape but also through the soundscape. Working with sound designer Mark Thomas, who also designed the sound for “Luminous City,” they create a world defined by the relentless hum of industry, ever-present and sourceless, serving as a haunting reminder of the oppressive forces at play. This auditory backdrop contrasts sharply with the visually desolate environments, enhancing the sense of isolation and entrapment faced by the protagonist.


The cinematography intentionally disorients and challenges: peaceful images are juxtaposed with jarring industrial sounds, creating a sensory discord that mirrors the protagonist’s internal conflict. Collaborating with cinematographer Anastassia Anderson, they explore the most possibilities out of the space and the cameras. Often, the frames lead the character, suggesting a predetermined path; at other times, she appears trapped within the confines of the frame, struggling against the boundaries that define and confine her.

As the narrative unfolds and the dog escapes, the leash—an object of control—becomes a symbol of the invisible chains we all bear. The woman's journey to find her dog evolves into a broader quest for self-liberation, as she navigates through abandoned spaces that reflect her inner turmoil and yearning for release.


"Walking Dog" is a meditation on the silent struggles for autonomy and self-discovery. It is about breaking free from the unseen shackles that bind us and the quiet, relentless pursuit of one's own path in a world that often seems predetermined and unyielding.


This film is an invitation to reflect on our own constraints and the universal quest for freedom that is both profoundly personal and deeply societal.


Walking Dog full credits:


Cast:


Fāyfāy

Kim


Crew:


Directed by: Xianyi Zhang

Written by: Xianyi Zhang & Yuyue He

Produced by: Yuyue He

Director of Photography: Anastassia Anderson

1st Assistant Camera: Krishita Agarwal

Production Design & Makeup Artist: Bobby Cliff

Sound Recordists: Mark Rhys Thomas & Luka Minet

Dog Handler: Kyle Macfadzean

Editor & Colourist: Xianyi Zhang

Sound Design: Mark Rhys Thomas


Discover more

https://andyxianyizhang.blogspot.com/

Instagram: @andydydydydydy

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by Tianyun Zhao • 30 October 2025
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