Special Screening 'Cupid's Mistake' at Laemmle??s Sunset 5 Theatre at 8000
Sunset Bl. in LA, CA. on Fri. & Sat., Sept. 15 & 16, 2000 at midnight 12:00
am. (corner of Crescent Heights)
For more info: http://www.dearfilm.com http://www.phaedracinema.com http://www.youngmankang.com http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/nobudgetfilmmaking

One of the most delightful unseen gems in today's indie cinema is "Cupid's
Mistake," a wonderful Los Angeles-based love quadrangle which explores the
agonies and ecstasies of romance. Filmed on a teeny $980 budget (yes,
$980!!!), this cross-cultural comedy of missed passion and unexpected
surprises provides a unique casting opportunity for Asian-American actors,
most notably the beautiful Toya Cho as a model who can decide between two
suitors and the muscular Ken Yasuda as the bodybuilder who is more focused
on building his biceps instead of warming his heart. At a time when the
Asian-American presence in films is basically limited to martial arts
chopping and token supporting role sidekicking, it is a wonder to experience
this unique non-stereotypical big-screen presentation of this community.

"Cupid's Mistake," was shot in classic Cassavetes-style guerrilla cinema: a
shoestring budget (no money for filming permits), the bare bones of a story
outline but no written script, and a remarkable free reign for improvisation
among his actors.
Unlike many indie films in waiting, "Cupid's Mistake" has a distributor:
Phaedra Cinema, which is best known for its foreign films "The Terrorist"
and "La Separation."

Q: What is the genesis of "Cupid's Mistake"? And why did you decide to allow
your actors to improvise their dialogue rather than create a specific script
to work from?
A: I knew all of my actors in this film, and would call them my friends. I
then came up with an idea, that one character goes after another?? A (guy), B
(girl), C (guy), D (girl)-- A likes B, but B likes C, but C like D, and in
the end, nobody gets anyone. To me, that's a normal love story.
I gave the actors the basic idea. I told them directions that after they are
dating, then one proposes to the other. The camera follows them through the
course of dating one another. That's why they look natural on film. I asked
them to act natural, just like real dating. Then, in post-production, I cut
and edited, and made the sequences.
Q: Asian-Americans are virtually unseen in Hollywood films, or if they do
appear they are often subjected to blatant and subconscious insults and
stereotypes that other minority groups would never tolerate. "Cupid's
Mistake" is refreshingly free of the Hollywood typecasting, offering
Asian-Americans as characters rather than caricatures. In your opinion, why
can't the Hollywood system take the same approach to Asian-American
characters as indie films like yours?
A: There are a few Asian filmmakers in Hollywood. The more Asian filmmakers
that come into the business, then the more Asian actors will be seen because
they have Asian subjects to tell. With "Cupid's Mistake," I created two
Asian characters, Toya & Ken, with the actors in mind--each showing their
own natural personas. For example, I've shot several commercials with Toya
and I know that she's really good for the part of a playful and energetic
character. Also, I've known Ken to be a gentle sportsman, even though he's a
muscular person. In reality, he's very quiet and genuine.

--Film Threat interview www.filmthreat.com--