Nocturnal Collective Announces Two Major Projects by Director Jiaxin Wang: Riders Documentary and Kidnap Music Video

Nocturnal Collective has announced two major international projects under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Jiaxin Wang, affirming his role as one of the most versatile and visionary directors shaping contemporary independent cinema and music video art. Wang will lead Riders, an ambitious feature documentary scheduled for production from February 1, 2027 to August 1, 2027, and Kidnap, a visually daring music video collaboration with rising Chinese rapper Yaka, currently in post-production.

Riders follows the lives of e-bike delivery workers in Brooklyn, New York and Chinese mega-cities, weaving parallel stories of resilience, risk, and survival. By immersing himself in the daily realities of these essential yet invisible workers, Wang leads a project that pushes audiences to confront the human cost of convenience in the on-demand economy. The documentary features cinematography by Paul Song (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8615747/), with Joy Wu (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13615975/) serving as first AD and Eddie Yukun Long (https://voyagela.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-eddie-yukun-long/) as producer.

Targeting premiere at international film festivals and global distribution platforms, Riders is actively seeking support from Catapult Film Fund, Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, Ford Foundation's JustFilms, and CNEX Foundation. This project represents a significant contribution to documentary filmmaking that addresses global labor issues and the human impact of technological convenience, potentially influencing public discourse on gig economy workers' rights and conditions.

Kidnap, directed by Wang from 2025–2026, is a concept-driven, VFX-intensive music video for emerging rapper Yaka. Blending noir-inspired surrealism with nonlinear storytelling, choreography, and cutting-edge visual effects, the video explores themes of obsession, memory, and emotional captivity. Wang oversaw creative direction, visual worldbuilding, choreography integration, and post-production VFX oversight—ensuring conceptual cohesion from treatment to delivery.

The music video features the same distinguished creative team including cinematographer Paul Song and producer Eddie Yukun Long, with additional contributions from production designer Olivia Huilin Gao (https://olivia-huilin-gao.com) and costume designer Sophie Deleo (https://sovdeleo.com). Currently in post-production, Kidnap is slated for submission to top music video and short-form festivals worldwide, showcasing Wang's ability to create visually arresting works across mediums.

These projects collectively demonstrate the growing importance of cross-cultural storytelling and the fusion of social consciousness with artistic innovation in contemporary media. The documentary Riders has the potential to raise global awareness about the working conditions of delivery personnel, while Kidnap represents the evolving landscape of music video as an art form that combines technical excellence with deep thematic exploration.