NEWS

Searchlight: Stephen Kang

Stephen is so new as a director that his day job is still burning reels and fixing Curious Film’s website. But his short films are beginning to be noticed on the festival circuits in Asia and Australasia – Curious MD Peter Grasse hired Kang initially on the strength of his first film about a lad who finds he has super powers every time he masturbates – sounds good – but it’s Kang’s latest offering Blue which is whipping up the plaudits…even the Grand Prix at Cannes Critic’s week (Semaine de la critique. )

https://vimeo.com/35660857

Did you write the script and where did the idea for Blue come from?

Yes I did. The main inspiration was a news story about this famous Korean folk singing band member who died in an accident in Canada where he had immigrated. He died while operating machinery at the warehouse. He was just a worker at the warehouse and nobody recognised him as a famous band member. I think a large number of immigrants are like that, hiding behind their talent and sometimes they have to let it go to fit into the new world.

What were the most challenging aspects of shooting Blue?

It’s always hard with limited budgets, but the hardest part was convincing other people to get involved and that this story we are going to tell is exciting and interesting. It’s always tough because I, myself don’t know whether it will be good or not.

So you’re learning the ropes at Curious – we hear you’re a whizz at all things techie. What is your ambition? Would you like shoot commercials too?

My ambition is to be free of all this technology and make film.

What would the ideal script be for your first job?

The ideal scripts would have a non-traditional approach, blurring a line between traditional media and social network, and have Asian talent. I can compromise with the first two but can’t give up on Asian talent.

What’s the best piece of advice on film making anyone has ever given you?

It’s important to know when you put down your pen (or camera) – unknown

What are you currently up to in your film making world?

Writing feature scripts. I’ve learned one thing. No one is going to write it for you. So here I am.

Other News

Multiple award winner Sinan Sevinç on weaving powerful parallel narratives

Sinan Sevinç’s heart-rending short film Split Second scooped up a staggering five wins this year, taking  More…

Neil Ferron

Neil Ferron fishes on dark shores for his win

After picking up a Gold Screen in the Film School (10 minutes and over) category  More…

Jing Ai Ng Delta

Jing Ai Ng tells us how a passion for the Delta Chinese community led to a YDA

Winning Gold in the Passion Project category, Jing Ai Ng’s Asian American folk story Delta is  More…

Lisette Donkersloot SiHAME

How Lisette Donkersloot’s female-focussed thriller became a Gold winner

Caviar director Lisette Donkersloot talks to Izzy Ashton about the complex themes, characters, and casting in  More…

Lucas Parra

Gold winner Lucas Parra on match cuts and memorable moments

Bagging a gold in the Film School (up to 10 minutes) category, Lucas Parra’s spot  More…

Linda-Schiwa Klinkhammer I Think I Hate My Father

Gold Winner Linda-Schiwa Klinkhammer on patriarchy and perspective

Director Linda-Schiwa Klinkhammer picked up a Gold in the Dreampitch: Changing the World Frame by  More…