SONG FOR NO ONE
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
World Premiere / Dramatic Short Film / Shorts Presentation: UNSUNG VOICES
SONG FOR NO ONE is the directorial debut from actor-turned-writer/director Liam Ma (Cruel Intentions).
From his apartment in Brooklyn, Gene (Giullian Yao Gioiello) hosts an independent radio show to platform his music in hopes of one day finding a dedicated audience. Instead, his radio show reaches his recently deceased mother, Sook-Ja (Felice Choi), in the afterlife, through a radio powered by the stationary bikes that Sook-Ja and her interpreter, Han Sol (Stella Kim), ride each day.
HM: Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions. In SONG FOR NO ONE, you are both writer and director. How did you approach writing about such a deeply personal theme – that is, the loss of a parent, in this case your mother, and the process of grieving?
LM: I’ve often found writing to be helpful in trying to realize my thoughts in a tangible way. Ultimately, language falls short in trying to capture the gamut of the human experience but we can try!
HM: This is your first time as director. Many people might know you from your on-screen work. How did you approach your directing role with your cast members?
LM: I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a number of really great directors and I really tried to replicate the culture of some of the best sets I’ve been on. When it came to directing, I really focused on a process first approach rather than being results-oriented. So much happens when you stay open to what can happen in the moment.
HM: In this film, we learn Gene (Giullian Yao Gioiello) has recently lost his mother. He writes music and sings in the hopes his music reaches his recently deceased mother, Sook-Ja (Felice Choi), in the after-life. I found this emotionally quite moving. Can you please share how you worked with your cast members in order to get such moving performances?
LM: I found a lot of ease in working with our cast. I think actors and their process remain a bit unknown to the outside world. Being able to speak the same language and providing the space to explore was all that was really needed. The cast brought so much of themselves and their own experiences with loss and love and it was such a privilege to witness.
HM: I also wanted to highlight the beautiful song we hear in the film. I understand it was performed by your lead, Giullian Yao Gioiello. It fits in with the film so beautifully. Were you aware of his musical work prior to casting him?
LM: Yes! We shared an immense trust in bringing this story to life and I’m so grateful to have him and his music as the heart and soul of this film.
HM: I’m curious, what do you wish audiences would take away after seeing SONG FOR NO ONE. Also, where can people follow the film’s journey after its premiere at Reel Asian?
LM: We will continue to our festival run for the next year and hope to announce an International Premiere soon! I really hope audiences find some comfort in our shared grief. Evidently a bit ironic in its namesake, but this film is for my mom and for mothers and for all of the love that remains unspoken between us.
