Focus on AFI Conservatory - Ashes
A brief and unlikely connection in war complicates a young solider’s understanding of freedom.
Interview with Cinematographer Siwei Li and Director Daniel J. Egbert
Watch Ashes here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Siwei: It came out of my inner fear, seeing how nationalism and despotism growing for the past years in my homeland, as well as the divisions we had world-widely. We were taught to hate and fight the people we don't know, but in essence the same as us.
Daniel: After fighting through two wars with the Marine Corps Infantry, I entered a soul-shaking downward spiral I barely survived.
There’s a term in the Chinese language, 炮灰, which translates to, “Cannon ashes.” It’s used to comment on the real remnants of war—young men and women who sacrifice everything for a machine that will never cease to burn them as fuel. Youth left behind by country and by time to examine, make sense of, and hopefully make peace with their place in it all as they watch it continue to consume generation after generation.
Siwei Li introduced this phrase to me when he asked me to help write and direct his film, and it crippled me. I knew I had to be part of telling this story. This was a cinematography driven project where Siwei initiated every aspect, from building our incredible team, to co-writing, executive producing, and beautifully photographing every frame. It was an honor and a privilege to collaborate with him in this way. One I will treasure forever.
ASHES is a story about freedom, a story about a brief connection against all odds, a story about taking the power back. It’s our commentary on war, on being left behind, on imaginary lines in the dirt confusing our sameness. But mostly, hopefully, it’s a story that can make a difference.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Siwei & Daniel: ASHES is a fine example of what's possible when incredible constraints are placed on a production, why dialogue is truly unnecessary in most cases, and how to reduce a story down to its most potent state.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Siwei & Daniel: Compared to the first script we had, though it was a completely different set of characters and circumstances, the core of what you see in ASHES was always a constant. We just needed to figure out the most effective way to communicate it. The collaboration with between us beautiful. We agreed to never settle. To always question every single choice and to never move on unless it was fully examined and proven to be consistent with the premise and with character. The development was honestly maddening, but in the finest way.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Siwei & Daniel: So far the feedback has been phenomenal. We've won the first few film festivals we've been in, and are waiting for a handful more. Audiences are really kind with their critique, and very enthusiastic about the story and the craft that made its way onto the screen.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Siwei & Daniel: We know that ASHES is an important story. And the more people that get to see it and ponder it, hopefully the more of a chance it can make some sort of difference.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Siwei & Daniel: Who should be the keepers of war?
Would you like to add anything else?
Siwei: Technically, Shooting the beautiful 5222 35mm b&w film stock was an amazing experience. It was challenging to shoot night interiors on it and to light for the latitude, but it turns out to be great limitations. It made us to light more precisely and have the actors walk into the spot, just like in the old days. The grain, the glows in the highlights, the contrast and fall-offs are unbelievable to watch. It helped us build up the world of this period piece and hide the imperfections on our set.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Siwei: I am currently in development for another two short films that I will DP scheduled for production in 2022.
Daniel: I am currently in post production for my AFI thesis CHORUS, and in development for another short film scheduled for production in early 2022 as well as developing 2 feature scripts with a producing team/production company.
Interview: November 2021
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Ashes
Length:
4:20
Writer
Siwei Li; Daniel J. Egbert
Director
Daniel J. Egbert
Producer
Xue Sophie Hou
Key cast:
Levi Bernhart; Riley Polanski
Looking for:
film festival directors, journalists, producers, distributors
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/siwei.li.773/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/vic_lee12/
Hashtags used:
#35mm; #shootfilm; #kodak; #panavision; # fotokem; #b&w
More info:
lisiweifilm.com
Made in association with:
AFI Conservatory