myDylarama

Pan-Asian Film Festival Premiere + Live Q&A with Ya-Che Yang

Jacques Breen — 2013-03-11T07:59:04Z

The Pan-Asian Film festival kicked off last night with a unique, UK premiere of Ya-Che Yang's GF* BF (reviewed here) followed by a Live Q & A with the director.

Click here to find out what's showing at the festival.

Transcript of the live Q&A with Director Ya-Che Yang:

Q: How did you get such intimate performances from the three actors?

I've known them since I was 17 years old. Especially two of them. But I didn't really know them that well, so I got to know them better via drinking with them before we shot the film.

Q: Is all the dialogue scripted? Or were there improvised elements?

Of course to start with I would give them a tight script but that's only the one version - the actual script is within myself. And I would only tell one of them from the start, so they can't prepare with the other actors.

Q: The sense of recent Taiwanese history is very strong in parts of the movie, less so later. But it's always there. Is this from your own experience or from those of the actors?

I was growing up within part of the history, the very end part. But I think that history is important for Taiwan and it was a very energetic time. Everyone at that time beleived there would be a better tomorrow...

Q: How did you approach directing the western looking Rhydian Vaughan?

He's the one Actor I really wanted to be in this film. He has this western face and It would be really special for a western guy to say 'I love Taiwan'. And this really allows the Chinese people to think about who really are the Taiwanese people.

Q: During the film, you often let the camera linger on actress Gwei Lun-Mei's face. And she's the one who has the cool expression with the emotionality underneath the surface. Would you be able to explain a little further?

So Gwei Lun-Mei, she doesn't really look like she looks in the film and her adverts. She finds it very hard to express herself. So I make it a point to drink with her to find the real Gwei Lun-Mei. She's very controlled, a bit British in that sense, so I keep the camera on her face so the audience can see what's inside her or what's underneath the surface.

Q: Is the Mabel character based on anyone in particular? Or is it a composite of people?

I have a friend who has the characteristics just like her and the character herself is named after my friend.

Q: This is the first time the film has been screened in the UK. Can tell us what the future plans are for distibuting GF* BF? And also, what are you working on in the future?

I'm absolutely grateful for my film to be screened in the UK. My next film will concentrate on the dark side of business and government in relation to the antiques trade in China.

Girlfriend Boyfriend

Jacques Breen — 2013-03-11T07:58:37Z

Charting the relationship of three close friends whilst set to the backdrop of a changing political climate in Taiwan. This Golden Horse Award winning drama directed by Ya-Che Yang, succeeds at drawing the viewer into the intimate relationship between these three protagonists, ably performed by Hsiao-chuan Chang (Liam), Gwei Lun-Mei (Mabel) and Rhydian Vaughan (Aaron). Ya-Che Yang's creative use of extreme close-ups drags the viewer into the personal world space of each of the characters, whilst the driving kaleidoscopic soundtrack carries the viewer through the decades of Taiwan's democratic reform.

The film's format of skipping ahead every decade, whilst good in theory, leaves much to be desired in execution. Whilst ostensibly the film covers the political change of Taiwan, the core of the film is the relationship between the three friends. And in each of the decades, just as the drama is about to reach a climax, the film will suddenly skip forward several years, taking away the catharsis and bringing the viewer back to the start of a 'new' story. The film's uplifting and humorous first segment paves way for a tragic second and third installment, as the protagonists' own neurosis and failings are exacerbated by societal pressures. The whole tone and pacing of the film shifts and leaves the viewer having to re-adjust their expectation of where the film is going. And it's a long film.

Despite it's failings, this stylish film is impossible to dislike. It's engrossing low-concept storyline, combined with engaging 'human' characters and a bittersweet yet uplifting ending will leave you wondering what's next from this Director who's been hailed as the next 'Ang Lee'.

Dir: Ya-che Yang, 2012

Interview with Masquerade director Chang-Min Choo and actors Byung-Hun Lee and Seung-Ryong Ryu

Jacques Breen — 2012-11-14T03:12:30Z

Chang-Min Choo and Seung-Ryong Ryu

Byung-Hun Lee

During the 17th century Joseon Dynasty, comic performer Ha-Seon (Korean star Lee Byung-Hun) is recruited as a double for King Gwanghae (Lee) who's been targeted for assassination.
On 20 October 2012, "Masquerade" passed 10,000,000 million admissions in South Korea, becoming only the 8th film to ever do so.

Interview with The Thieves's director Dong-Hoon Choi, and actor Yun-Seok Kim

Abla Kandalaft, Jacques Breen — 2012-11-14T03:01:06Z

The London Korean Film Festival 2012 kicked off with a screening of mega-hit crime caper The Thieves. Director Dong-Hoon Choi pulled out all the stops, casting the most bankable starts from the region, shooting in Macao, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Busan.
On 2 October 2012, "The Thieves" passed "The Host" (13 million) to become the best selling South Korean film.

In order to pull off the perfect heist, professional robber Macau Park (Yun-Seok Kim) enlists the help of a group of Korean and Chinese thieves, including his old partner Popeye and his bandmates. But Macau Park has a masterplan to double-cross everyone and escape with the bounty, a $20 million diamond known as 'Tear of the Sun'.

His plan takes an unexpected turn when each thief begins to reveal their own agendas and grudges. The star-studded cast is no mere gimmick, the film is tightly scripted, beautifully shot, funny and engaging. The action scenes are impressive and never drawn-out.
Its one downside is that the actors are competing for screen time. They are all honoured with their own subplots that are never really tied into a clear narrative. But this doesn't deter from the elaborate stunts, the gloss and the humour that make The Thieves thoroughly entertaining.