When I first moved to Los Angeles years ago, North Hollywood was a pretty seedy no-man’s land.
But, today – with the help of Metro’s Red Line – the neighborhood has flourished into a lively artistic community with a slew of theatres, upscale restaurants, and trendy watering holes.
Consequently, in recent days, filmmakers have been inclined to book in flicks for screenings at the ever-popular Laemmle Theatre in the Valley.
For example, this past Friday night, the film – SUPERCAPITALIST – premiered at a low-key red carpet celebration which was attended by the film’s director Simon Yin, Producer Joyce Yung, and a handful of actors portraying roles in the heady action-thriller (such as Katherine Uyen, "Fool for Love"; Paul Sheehan, "SUPERCAPITALIST"; Parry Shen, "Yes, We’re Open"; James Hong, "Kung Fu Panda").
There was a lot to boast about to a gaggle of press personalities who turned out to enthusiastically cover the upbeat glitzy event.
The project – a U.S.-Hong Kong Co-Production – is being managed by Truly Indi (Magnolia’s sister company) and is about to be widely-released in 14 countries after its general launch in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in recent weeks.
The script was written by Derek Ting (who also stars in the feature) and was shot in Red with an MX Chip.
Helicopter shots were caught with the snazzy Canon 5D (a camera that has been garnering a lot of buzz in the industry).
The storyline focuses on a New York trader who moves to Hong Kong to orchestrate a mega-deal that gets away from him due to corrupt forces behind-the-scenes in the shadows working against him.
Essentially, SUPERCAPITALIST is a cautionary tale about powerful ruthless forces manipulating financial marketplaces in Amercia and Asia with the ultimate aim of making a kill.
Unfortunately, the film is somewhat reminiscent of “Wall Street” – and hence – loses points for a lack of originality.
However, the glossy fast-paced thriller is a well-crafted flick that is vastly entertaining in spite of that flaw.
For one filmgoer, it was an enlightening experience, too.
“The producers managed to put a human face on the Chinese people,” Laurel Ross earnestly noted to the Tattler, as she exited the theatre with her hubby in tow.
A popcorn movie worth the price of admission, for sure!
2 ½ stars!
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