BLT – Letter from Suchin Pak

I am writing to you because I need your help. Each person receiving this letter has been chosen because you have the ability, more than most, to command attention from your peers. I am asking you to use your influence, your passion to do a very simple thing…tell someone.

Tell someone about this new film, about the story of an unknown director who wanted to make a film no one thought had a chance– maxing out credit cards and risking his big break on an unknown cast, with un-Hollywood faces and an un-Hollywood vision.

The film is “Better Luck Tomorrow” and it comes to New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago on April 11, 2003.

It’s the story of a group of over-achieving teenagers who are too smart for their own good, who make a series of decisions that end up with some explosive consequences. It’s sexy and funny and shocking and violent; and some of you may hate it, many of you will think it’s brilliant, but either way, you’ll leave thinking. And that’s what really counts.

But this film is so much more than just an afternoon at the movies. It is the first Asian American film I have ever seen, which has nothing to do with the “Motherland”; where you won’t see one Kung-Fu kick; where everyone speaks perfect, fluent English; where for the first time in my life I saw Asian faces who didn’t have to justify being on the big screen. It’s the first time I have ever seen a cast of Asian Americans who don’t struggle with their identity, who don’t have to explain why they’re there, who aren’t delivering food or working behind a cash register, who aren’t tokens. They’re three dimensional characters that could’ve been written for any actor regardless of race. This cast just happens to be Asian, the director just happens to be Asian-and the story just happens to be universal. I never thought I would ever see that.

We all have to see this film, to pay ten bucks and put our money where our mouths are. We all complain about how huge studio films suck, how there’s so little out there that really pushes boundaries, makes a difference. Well here’s our chance to reward independent filmmakers who take chances, who take the harder road.

You don’t have to march in a rally or run a marathon or call your Congress woman. All you have to do is get a group of friends next weekend and see a film. How simple is that?

As many of you who work in the media know, to get an independent film out to theaters is an uphill battle, every step of the way. It has to do better than the big studio movies, to prove to the powers-that-be, that it’s worth their money and support. So the success of “Better Luck
Tomorrow,” for this film to even have a chance to get into more theaters, we have to sell out every single seat this weekend and the weekend after that, until we get the ball rolling. Hey, if a big fat Greek wedding can capture America…..well?

If you won’t take my word for it, how about Rolling Stone’s who says Better Luck Tomorrow is “a funny-sexy-scary powerhouse.” Or Roger Ebert who thought the film was “extraordinarily accomplished and thought provoking.” Or Variety who named Justin Lin, one of their top ten
directors to watch. Do yourself a favor, go to www.betterlucktomorrow.com.

So, I’m personally calling each and every one of you, the Monday after, for your pop quiz. Spread the word, see the film, and let me know what you thought of it…..