So Yong Kim is an award-winning Korean-American independent filmmaker. In 2006 Kim received the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for her debut feature, “In Between Days.” Her other films include “Treeless Mountain” and “For Ellen.” Kim has also directed episodes of “Queen Sugar” and “Transparent.”
“Lovesong” will premiere at the 2016 BFI London Film Festival on October 11.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
SYK: “Lovesong” is about love in friendship, and how at some point within that deep friendship, the boundaries can get blurred.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
SYK: I wanted to explore a story about love that is atypical and drew upon a friendship I had in college.
W&H: What do you want people to think about, when they are leaving the theater?
SYK: I am happy if the story reminds the audience of an experience they had in the past or if there can be a discussion about what love is.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
SYK: The two young girls who play Sarah’s daughter at age three and then at age six are my daughters. Working with them on set was shockingly challenging, although rewarding at the end.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
SYK: The film was mostly financed by an independent company along with Gamechanger Films. We first got a little money to shoot Part 1 of the film and then we cut a scene together, along with a treatment for Part 2, to raise the rest of the financing for the film. It was risky but worked out.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film play at LFF?
SYK: My partner and I first attended LFF in 2003 with our first film “Salt,” [which I produced]. We’ve been trying to come back ever since. It’s a great honor!
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
SYK: Keep going and don’t let the nos deter you. You only need one yes.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
SYK: After all these years my favorite film is still “Beau Travail” by Claire Denis. It’s a perfect film.
W&H: Have you seen opportunities for women filmmakers increase over the last year due to the increased attention paid to the issue? If someone asked you what you thought needed to be done to get women more opportunities to direct, what would be your answer?
SYK: Yes, I have seen more opportunities open up for women directors generally as well as for myself personally, especially in episodic directing work. I feel that the independent film world has been steadily expanding and there are more of us women making films, but I am not sure how it will evolve in the studio system.
I’ve heard of these director lists that get submitted to the studios for final approval and I feel it would be a good policy to have those lists be 50/50 women and men.
