‘Walking: Through the Lens’ is a short documentary produced by Wenjiao Zhang, an MA student in the Film & TV program at the School of Arts at the University of Bristol.
The documentary was produced during her Industrial Placement at Pedestrian Space between May and July 2024 where we mentored her on the track of exploring and depicting issues of sustainable mobility via film.
Congratulations Wenjiao and it was a pleasure to mentor you and see the culmination of your work!
Keep walking! 
Below, please enjoy text by Wenjiao on her process making this documentary.
On the experience of making this documentary
As I prepared to make this documentary, I first wanted to hear people’s genuine thoughts about walking. With this in mind, I sought out various individuals in different parts of Bristol for interviews.
Through these diverse conversations, I discovered a different Bristol—each street hides unique life stories. However, most people’s favorite walking location in Bristol is the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The walking environment there is truly wonderful, and it’s also one of my favorite places to walk.
As a landmark of Bristol, the bridge spans the Avon Gorge, connecting Clifton and Leigh Woods. The environment here is excellent, with vast meadows, the rushing river below the cliffs, and the picturesque mountains. There are also many walking paths crisscrossing the meadows. I think this shows that people’s preference for nature and their desire for good walking spaces are always the same.
In asking people questions, I couldn’t help but question myself: What kind of walking environment do I want? What can I do to improve walking conditions? I believe we need to start by understanding why people walk. Is it an innate instinct? The joy of being immersed in nature? Or the reassurance of moving forward with family and friends?
These were my guesses, but in the interviews, I also heard various answers. I connected my thought process with everyone’s interviews and I think this is my answer. Everyone will have their own answers in their hearts. I hope this documentary will make people reflect, step outside, walk, and make a change.
Many of the shots in this documentary were captured during my regular walks with a camera. There was no plan or purpose—just moments of beauty and interest that I came across while walking. This is also one of the joys of walking for me.
The process of making this documentary made me reflect on my own spiritual life. It taught me the importance of being present and connecting with nature. Through these daily walking records, I discovered many details and beautiful moments that might otherwise be overlooked. Each walk became a journey of the soul, helping me find balance in a fast-paced life.
During the making of this documentary, I also learned to listen and observe. Talking to different people revealed their varied understandings and attitudes towards life. This not only enriched the content of the documentary but also deepened my understanding of the city and life itself.
I hope that viewers of this documentary will also feel the joy and significance of walking, inspiring them to step outside, discover, and enjoy the beauty around them.
On future potential film work on walking
If I continue making documentaries about walking or start a new one, I would explore the transformative power of walking in different cultural and geographical contexts.
From a cultural perspective, I would investigate how various cultures around the world view walking. For instance, in Tibet, there is a famous practice called “kora,” where people walk around a mountain in a high-altitude, oxygen-deprived environment. It is said that completing a kora can cleanse one’s sins. Due to the high altitude and long walking distances, kora is physically demanding and can cause altitude sickness, and some people even lose their lives during the journey. Yet, many continue to perform kora each year. I once saw a video of a mother in Tibet walking kora repeatedly to atone for the sins of her deceased child.
Walking takes on different meanings in various environments and cultures, and I think it would be fascinating to explore and narrate these differences from my perspective.
On how media can help shape awareness about sustainable mobility
Media can educate the public on the benefits of sustainable mobility through documentaries, news reports, and informational programs, highlighting advantages such as reduced carbon emissions, improved health, and cost savings.
By showcasing cities and communities that have successfully implemented sustainable mobility solutions, media can influence public opinion and inspire other regions to follow suit.
This form of media is also adept at using storytelling to capture public attention and provoke further thought. In the environment of new media, it can encourage people to share their insights on sustainable mobility, fostering public engagement through contests, challenges, and user-generated content, making the topic more relatable.
Therefore, I believe media can shape awareness about sustainable mobility in various ways.
-Wenjiao Zhang
