Q&A with 2004 Festival Winners
Max Maximillian, Ann Marie Fleming, Victor Vu, and Prashant Bhargava at the 2004 SDAFF Gala Awards Dinner. |
VICTOR VU
Director of FIRST MORNING, Best Dramatic Feature
1. What makes your film special to you?
First Morning was my first feature. That's what makes it really special and memorable for me. Although it's not autobiographical, it is based on true stories about my family and countless other Vietnamese families that fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975. The story is told entirely from the Vietnamese perspective, and over 50% of the dialogue is in Vietnamese. Finding finance for a project of this nature was not easy. So, my executive producer Philip Silverman and I went forward with our plan and made the film on a shoe-string budget. We faced a lot of obstacles, but we had such an incredible amount of support, dedication and commitment from the entire cast and crew. Everyone really believed in the project. That's what made this film possible.
2. How did you feel winning the award?
For me, the journey of making this film is a reward in itself. But to be recognized for it is an amazing feeling. I was just really grateful that the film's message and personal story was appreciated.
3. What advice can you give to other filmmakers?
Don't give up. Don't be afraid of failure. Take risks. When you set out to make a film, really understand your story. Really understand the film you are making and who you are making it for. You're never going to please everyone, so don't attempt to.
4. What is your next project?
I'm working on two screenplays. One, a love story set in central Vietnam. The other, a three-part ghost story set in Toronto, Canada.
ANN MARIE FLEMING
Director of THE MAGICAL LIFE OF LONG TACK SAM, Grand Jury Prize
1. What makes your film special to you?
I spent over 5 years researching this film. It opened up the worlds of magic, vaudeville, Chinese acrobatics and the whole 20th century to me. And it helped myself and my family appreciate our connections, endurance and strengths in a whole new way.
2. How did you feel winning the award?
I was very honoured to receive the award. It was an acknowledgement that this film did justice to its subject, transcending many borders: race, class, culture, and is so much more than a particular man's story. It is always wonderful to receive the recognition from your peers.
3. What advice can you give to other filmmakers?
Same old thing: don't give up. My grandmother says this in the movie...perseverance is everything. It's always hard, so don't do anything that you are not completely compelled to do. And it's totally worth it. Even when it's a disaster, it's worth it. Love your work.
4. What is your next project?
I'm working on a short animated film about a murder I witnessed, while beginning touring The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, actually. The couple next door's fight gone so terribly wrong. It's tentatively titled, Room 710. I've been completely haunted by the event. Ironically, it was a Chinese couple and I couldn't understand enough of what they were saying to know what was really going on. There are so many potent metaphors, if only it didn't really happen. And I'm shooting a comedy horror dramatic film in the spring, called The French Guy, which is trying to make something ridiculous out of violence. Something you can laugh at, if that is even possible. It's about relationships, of course.
DINO IGNACIO
Director of SKYFLAKES: BAD THOUGHTS,
Best Music Video
1. What makes your film special to you?
This was my first 3D-animated film and my first music video. Putting it together was a real learning experience. A whole lot of problem solving and mistakes were made. I feel like this film has prepared me for my next project.
2. How did you feel winning the award?
Thank you for choosing it worthy to even be part of the SDAFF selection. To win the award was unexpected and undeniably fulfilling. It makes all the hard work worth it!
3. What advice can you give to other filmmakers?
Just make the damned film. Make your mistakes and grow with them. If all you are doing is worrying about what can go wrong, then you are not going to find ways to do better.
4. What is your next project?
I am doing a short film based on a fairy tale.
SEJONG PARK
Director of BIRTHDAY BOY,
Best Animation
2. Any interesting stories from the making of Birthday Boy?
The voice actor couldn't speak any Korean so I had to teach him the dialogue and how to pronounce.
3. How did you feel winning the award?
It is a great honor to receive this award from the San Diego Asian Film Festival as I try to put a lot of Asian sensibility and emotion in it.
4. What is your next project?
I have a couple of new concepts to develop for the next project but it’s too early to talk about it.
LARILYN SANCHEZ & RIZA MANALO
Directors of BALIKBAYAN,
Best Experimental
When non-Filipinos watch our film, they feel they've learned an aspect of our culture. It's different with Filipinos. They laugh, other times they empathize with the story and cry. It speaks in many levels to others and myself.
2. How did you feel winning the award?
We were suprised to receive an award because we really enjoyed many good films at the festival and thought the competition would be tough. So receiving the award was a shock. On the gala night, we finished two bottles of wine at our table not knowing we would later have to stumble our way to the podium. We also feel grateful to have Lorli Villanueva, our actress, in our film. She really came through for us.
3. What advice can you give to other filmmakers?
Did you ever wonder how other people think? One of the greatest benefits of cinema is that it allows filmmakers to express what they see and hear and understand. Telling a story in your own way will give others an opportunity to experience a perspective outside of their own, and that's a wonder.
4. What is your next project?
It's the same subject matter of our previous film: sending big boxes of gifts that have become a custom for many Filipino migrant workers, but it will be 14 times longer, non-fiction, and hopefully more upbeat.
PRASHANT BHARGAVA
Director of SANGAM,
Best Dramatic Narrative Short
1. What makes your film special to you?
Sangam has been a two and a half year process. It was a very personal film, loosely based on a true story. The process has transformed me as a person and a filmmaker. I have a background as a commercial director and designer. But none of these prior projects have had any deep personal meaning. Sangam was like looking in the mirror day after day. It required me to look at myself and the final result allowed me to share something special as well as release myself from the past.
It was also an opportunity to build relationships and collaborate with some wonderful artists, refine my craft and push my boundaries as a filmmaker. It’s such a joy to see something grow from an idea to a finished film that brings joy to so many. I was able to raise money and spearhead a project where over seventy people collaborated.
Lastly, this film in process was a luxury. I paid for everything – which was difficult. But I made every decision. I could take as long as I wanted and no one made me change anything.
2. How did you feel winning the award?
Winning the Best Dramatic Narrative Short at the San Diego Asian American Film Festival was a tremendous honor. It's affirming. This business, craft is hard. It takes a lot of time, collaboration, faith and money. I am sure that regardless of how famous a filmmaker is, he or she spends more time questioning themselves than they do believing in themselves. It's a business and art that logically one must ask themselves why the hell am I doing this? But to win this award means something. It's a reason to continue. It also means more because my own peeps have given me props.
3. What advice can you give to other filmmakers?
Have faith. Believe in what you do. Love it. Love it when no one is looking. Put the weight of the world on your shoulders. Study your craft; too often, we think that new technology replaces old wisdom. Be meticulous. Watch films twenty-five times, everything from Tarkovsky to Malick. When you think it's fine, it's not. Do better. Hustle, lie. Lie again. But lie as an offering. Do anything with whatever you have, however you can. Do your jobs for money, then do your films. Don't mix, it's a disaster. Your instinct is invaluable. Don't let them tell you any different. It is your humanity that makes films truly great. Be prepared to sacrifice yourself emotionally, completely, over and over. If you think it will take two months, it will take eight. Embrace your irrationality and risk it all. We are Asian, we can always make money later. Get a good psychiatrist. Exercise, eat well. Avoid drugs, they eventually don't work. Believe.
4. What is your next project?
I'm developing a feature. In Sangam, I strove to create a poetic yet naturalistic drama that incorporated experimental techniques. I am continuing in this direction. The script while defined calls for using non-actors and actors. This next film takes place in India. Saying too much always takes away a bit of momentum.
