Sean Baker, the Director of TAKE OUT (AAIFF 2006) and PRINCE OF BROADWAY, recently had his newest film STARLET shown at The Film Society at Lincoln Center. With STARLET, he received two Independent Spirit Nominations: The John Cassavetes and Robert Altman Award.
CineVue had the pleasure to catch up with Sean to talk about STARLET, his past films, and his upcoming project LEFT-HANDED GIRL, co-directed with Shih-Ching Tsou.
CineVue: Both TAKE OUT and PRINCE OF BROADWAY touches upon the immigrant experience. What influenced your interest in stepping into that realm and sharing their stories?
Sean Baker: I am drawn to tales of “Gotham” in general. Being that NYC is so diverse, and in many ways an immigrant city, I always found it unfortunate that there remained many groups and cultures underrepresented in New York cinema. I think both TAKE OUT and PRINCE OF BROADWAY are a response to this feeling. Shih-Ching and I began TAKE OUT with an idea that we would see NYC through the eyes of a delivery man. Once we began our research process, we realized there was much more to say on the subject. We decided to explore what it must be like to be living here as an undocumented immigrant. With PRINCE OF BROADWAY, I didn’t want to cover the same territory that Shih-Ching Tsou and I did in TAKE OUT. Being undocumented doesn’t define somebody. It is (hopefully) merely a temporary legal status. I wanted PRINCE to be much less focused on their plight of an undocumented immigrant and more with how their status effects their everyday life.
CV: In your latest film, STARLET, Dree Hemingway (Jade) and Besedka Johnson (Sadie) had such an amazing on-screen chemistry that helped showcase the friendship realistically. How does age play a role in each woman’s journey through life? And why did you choose to focus on women in such contrasting age groups?
SB: Growing older is all about gaining life experience. Jane obviously had to grow up faster than most women her age and perhaps had to adopt the parental role in her family. Sadie has had hardships dealt to her throughout her life and has been alone for years. In my eyes, the two
fill voids that existed in both women’s lives. The reason I chose to focus on women in such contrasting age groups is because it ultimately served the purpose of the making this relationship complete. But it isalso because I love the convention of the “unlikely friendship” in
storytelling. The “odd couple” is a classic formula that usuallydelivers both drama and comedy
plus makes for an entertaining character study.
[STARLET is currently playing in select theaters, visit here to find a screening near you.]
CV: Unlike TAKE-OUT and PRINCE OF BROADWAY, we read that this was the first time where you did very little shooting yourself. You collaborated with cinematographer – Radium Cheung on STARLET in capturing the essence of California and the characters. Could you discuss a bit on the collaboration and what the preparations were in setting up the shots? And in what ways did you work with past team members to produce this film?
SB: Radium and I met working on a television show that I co-created called Greg the Bunny. I noticed his talent for playing with light right away. We have a similar sensibility and while shooting, we would only require ten seconds to figure out the focal length of the lenses we
wanted to use for a specific scene. Also, I wanted to share camera operation duties when it came to the handheld shots because I wanted the freedom to choose what to focus on in the moment. We began the production of STARLET sharing operation duties but eventually I allowed it all to fall on Radium’s shoulders (literally) because he was nailing it time and time again. We also spent time in post-production color timing together. We will be collaborating again
soon.
Shih-Ching Tsou (co-director of TAKE OUT), is one of the executive producers on STARLET. She wore many hats, acting as Costume Designer and Continuity as well. She is responsible for finding Besedka Johnson for us. Shih-Ching was in town for pre-production and went to
the local YMCA to work-out. She texted me from the gym locker room that she thought she found our actress. Shih-Ching spoke to Besedka and asked her to audition. Cut to less than half a year later and Besedka is receiving a Special Jury Recognition for her acting at SXSW
2012. (It was her first time acting.) So Shih-Ching and I work well together. We are currently trying to raise money for a new feature in which we will co-direct. It is a family drama that takes place in the night markets of Taipei.
CV: Do you see the move from TAKE OUT and PRINCE OF BROADWAY to STARLET as a major shift in your career? If so, why? If not, why not?
SB: Not a major shift. Just another step. Actually I feel that STARLET has much in common with the other two in themes and subtext…. just a different world and different genders. My hope is that this film helps procure higher budgets for the coming projects.
CV: Can you tell us a little bit about your newest project with Shih-Ching Tsou: LEFT-HANDED GIRL?
SB: LEFT-HANDED GIRL is a film that Shih-Ching and I have been trying to get off the ground for almost a decade. It is a multi-generational tale set against the vibrant, colorful world of Taipei’s nightmarkets. It is a family drama but like STARLET and PRINCE, is filled with humor. We recently brought LHG to the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion. Hopefully we can. So if anyone has an affinity for Taiwan and is interested in investing in an independent film, please contact us. We are excited about this narrative and feel it could be a beautiful film.
CV: Bonus question: Do you miss New York City?
SB: I will always miss the energy and chaos of New York. But I just spoke to my parents this morning and they informed me that it is 27 degrees and cloudy in NYC. Going to reach 69 here in LA today. Can’t miss New York that much with those figures.
Sean Baker – Director, Co-Writer, Editor:
Sean Baker is a New York native and a graduate of NYU film school. He co-directed the Spirit Award nominated film TAKE OUT with Shih-Ching Tsou and went on to solo direct PRINCE OF BROADWAY. The latter was named one of the best films of 2010 by the Los Angeles Times. It won Grand Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Film Festival and Woodstock Film Festival, and Special Jury Prize at Locarno International Film Festival. Lee Daniels (PRECIOUS) presented the film. His latest film STARLET, stars Dree Hemingway in the her lead role debut. Baker’s second career lies in mainstream comedy television. He co-created the FOX and IFC series GREG THE BUNNY, and most recently directed, wrote and executive produced the MTV series WARREN THE APE.
Good read. More good words: http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2011/10/3865090/takeout-story-behind-bulletproof-glass-and-out-bike-chinese-restaura.