Chinese Work Culture is Built Different (A Filmmaker’s Perspective)

In this episode, we sit down with Rico Zhang, an Australian-born Chinese director making waves in the Chinese film industry. Rico shares fascinating insights into the stark differences between East and West film sets, comparing collaborative versus dictatorial leadership styles. Beyond filmmaking, we explore the evolving identity of ABCs (Australian/American Born Chinese), the cultural shift of unlocking your heritage, and how modern China is perceived globally. Plus, Rico shares some wild personal stories, including his baffling physical immunity to alcohol and surviving a gunpoint encounter in Brooklyn completely unfazed. The Honest Drink #182 - Rico Zhang: On An Island Listen to The Honest Drink anywhere you get your podcasts. THD on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... THD on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/71J1uWI... THD on Apple Podcasts (China) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... THD on 小宇宙 https://www.xiaoyuzhoufm.com/podcast/... Follow Us On: Instagram:   / thehonestdrink_   小红书: https://xhslink.com/m/yBgZwxPRzr WeChat: THD_Official Episode Transcripts: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1KAlNY__xbceA... This is the YouTube channel of the #1 East-meets-West English podcast in China. As a predominantly audio-based show with over 400k listeners in China and abroad, this channel is for anyone preferring to watch full video episodes on YouTube instead. Hosted by two American-raised friends living in China, The Honest Drink blends humor-infused candor with deep, topical explorations of current events, culture, society, self-help, and the madness of modern behavior. Join us as we pour the drinks and our guests pour out the truth. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Introducing Rico Zhang 00:02:59 Growing up in Australia 00:06:37 Directing Team for blockbuster film Donji Rescue 00:17:01 Asian perspectives on WWII 00:36:52 East vs West film sets 00:43:17 Leadership and cultural differences 00:52:00 Physically unable to get drunk 01:01:34 Chasing chaos and feeling fearless 01:04:07 Held at gunpoint in Brooklyn 01:07:20 The modern ABC identity 01:11:44 Unlocking your cultural map 01:20:55 Generational cultural identity shifts 01:28:06 Modern China's premium image