3R Collaborator: Roxanne Lim’s Inspirations & Developing ‘MAARTE’

3R Collaborator is a curated series highlighting filmmakers whose work embodies creativity, collaboration, and community. The idea is to share the work of these incredible creatives and give them the opportunity to screen, speak on a panel, and share more about themselves through this medium. It’s an exciting development in 3R where we hope to host a huge variety of filmmakers work alongside ours. As we begin this journey, we’re honored to introduce a new collaborator, director Roxanne Lim.

Tell us about the work you've submitted to 3R Collaborators: the origin story, the process of putting it together, and where it stands today.

Roxanne:  MAARTE is an ongoing docuseries about Filipina American artists across the US. I started concepting it early 2020 and continued to develop it through the pandemic to present day. What began as a grassroots project has become more of a multi-faceted movement over the years. The episode you'll be seeing tonight at 3R is the first time we'll be premiering our latest episode featuring Jersey City's own Lovelisa, better known as LUV!

When you watch a film, what element catches your eye or heart the most?

Roxanne: Framing an interview subject and how it might influence their sharing. How an interview brings out both told and untold stories.

When you watch one, what element catches your attention most: the story, the characters, the sound, or the visuals?

Roxanne: The story.

How do you help people feel comfortable and bring out their most honest selves? 

Roxanne: I conduct initial pre-interviews prior to any recording/shoot date. I use that time to get to know the subject but to also provide transparency into my own process, intentions, and goals so they can show up as their authentic selves when the time comes. I also research the subjects thoroughly and I direct the interviews as conversations rather than a strict list of questions.

What kinds of real-life stories or themes do you like exploring through your documentaries?

Roxanne: I explore a lot of intersectionality with identity and pop culture. I love to learn about what people are consuming and how that relates to their personality. How they interact with the world and then proceed to carve their own place in it.

Every stage of making a documentary has its own rhythm, from filming real moments to finding the story in the edit. Which part feels most rewarding to you, and why?

Roxanne: The most rewarding part is when the papercut edit starts to come together (iykyk)! I've also experienced when a subject we interviewed sees the episode for the first time, and tells me how it helps them see themselves in a different light - that's always a humbling and rewarding moment. 

Films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Interstellar really showed me how emotionally deep and complex storytelling can be. Was there a film or documentary that changed how you see filmmaking or inspired you to approach your work differently?

Roxanne: Everything Everywhere All At Once truly changed the game for me! Action, drama, cultural intersectionality, comedy, visually compelling, fire soundtrack...It just had it all.

I know this could be a tough one but what're your top five favorite movies / docs today? Because I feel like they always shift or change depending on who you are today.

Roxanne: Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Waves (2019), Chungking Express (1994), Challengers (2024), The Debut (2000)

Which directors today inspire the way you make films?

Roxanne: Wong Kar-wai, Isabel Sandoval, Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler!

Are there certain genres or film styles you connect with more, like French New Wave, Film Noir, Drama, or Thriller? What about them speaks to you?

Roxanne: As a viewer, I'm actually a huge Action junkie LOL. I also enjoy Animated and Romance films because I'm all about any opportunity to get in your feels or play with the imagination.

If you could offer one piece of advice to aspiring filmmakers just starting their career, what would it be?

Roxanne: It's okay not to know what you're doing sometimes, as long as there's movement. Be your own blueprint.

Looking ahead, what project or creative goal are you most excited about pursuing in the near future?

Roxanne: Aside from continuing MAARTE, I am excited to work toward writing and directing my own feature films. In a few years from now I'd like to launch my own production house as well. Manifesting abundance for me and the homies for sure.