Amidst wintry winds and crashing waterfalls, a mother and son contemplate their last remaining moments together on this final journey.
Chang was born in Seoul, Korea, coming to the States in his early teens. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design where he studied Film/Video/Animation. Chang is currently completing his final year of studies I the graduate film program at New York University. In 2005, he was nominated for the IDA/David L. Wolper Student Documentary Achievement Award for his documentary “Love to Hate, Hate to Love”. Chang is also a recipient of the Martin Scorsese Young Filmmakers Scholarship and the Ang lee Scholarship Award. In 2007, “The Last Vacation” was awarded the Craft Award for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Acting, and was selected as a Wasserman Finalist at New York University’s First Run Film Festival. Presently, Chang is co-directing a feature-length documentary entitled “Ultimate Christian Wrestling”, which was recently awarded Honorable Mention at the 2007 Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Awards.
What inspired you to make this piece?
My mother is a single parent and lives in Korea. One day she called me and started telling me about how old and tired she felt. I could tell it in her voice that she was exhausted. So when I got off the phone this strong sense of guilt just started hitting me like a tone of bricks. I started questioning myself “have I been a good son?” I was ashamed. I am at the age where I have to think about taking care of my mother now. So since I am terrible at expressing my feelings, I decided to make a film about reaction to that question.
Briefly tell us about how you made your film or video: what camera and format did you use to shoot your piece, and what system did you use to edit it? What is your working process? Did you use any special techniques to make this work?
Camera: DVX100, Editing system: Final Cut Pro, Working Process: Kept it small and intimate. Special Techniques: Had fun and served good food. Excellent cast and crew.
Do you have any interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the making of this particular work?
The snow during the waterfall scene was a pleasant surprise because it was totally unexpected. We were lucky because by the time we finished in the afternoon it was all gone. It helped bring up the production value to his small film.
What is the relationship between your work as a video/filmmaker and life in the New York metropolitan area?
I love to watch people, especially in the subway. It’s a great place to study human behavior. I get so many ideas from observing the diverse people riding the NYC subway.
What films/videos and makers have inspired you or influenced your work? And why?
Hong Sang-Soo for his awkward moments.
Chris Marker for his lyrical writing.
Bruno Dumont for his perspective on human behavior.
Terrence Malick for his poetic imagery.
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang for his subtle gestures.
If viewers are interested in obtaining copies of your work for rental or purchase, whom should they contact and at what address and phone number?
tokhee@gmail.com
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