Work Life
Four corporate co-workers unknowingly cross paths during a chaotic weekend that leaves their lives intertwined through improbable twists of fate.
Interview with Director Kevin Ung
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film because I worked in an office for years. I understand the banalities of the workplace and wanted to depict the office as an artificial place where you hide who you really are, and the outside as a place where life truly happens. The writer of the film, Matt Stewart, also worked in the office and channelled the awkward fakeness and mechanical nature of the office into the story and characters.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Work Life is a wild ride that will throw unexpected twists at you while giving you a good laugh.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I previously worked in corporate settings for years and wanted to incorporate the monotony of the office into the film. I think it's something that most people can relate to. I wanted the film to speak of the machine-like nature of modern work, a place where we spend most of our lives. I also wanted to explore the idea that real life happens outside the office, and do so by making the office desaturated and shadow-less, while making scenes outside of the office, stylized, colorful and more full of life.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Matthew Stewart, the writer of Work Life, wrote this script and we kept most of it relatively similar except I had to tone down some stunt scenes for budget purposes. For example, a body was supposed to fly a hit a pole, a scene we would've loved to do, but just wasn't feasible.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Feedback has been great so far. Comedy is notoriously hard, but I'm always thankful that people usually laugh when I want them to. I think part of it has to do with the physical comedy in the film, which I feel is much more universal than dialogue.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think you learn what works and what doesn't work. I tend to make a mental note of what to do differently in the future depending on how audiences react. You start to see patterns after screening for a while and it's great to learn from this.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It's notoriously hard to get buzz around your work. It's great to be able to have a voice here where I can share my work and ideas and hopefully find others that resonate with it.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be great to have more festival screenings and press. As a filmmaker in the early stages of my career, getting more eyeballs on my work is always great.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
My parents are refugees and film is often a medium that is exclusionary based on language. I make films for people like them, who deserve to be able to watch a film despite language barriers. I want people to be able to watch my film and enjoy it without feeling that they are missing out on something. There are filmmaking techniques I use throughout for pixel peepers and film lovers, but if you're not looking for them you can still enjoy without reading into deeper messages.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is your workplace the most exciting part of your life?
Would you like to add anything else?
Despite an increasing number of Asian American films, Cambodians are still extremely underrepresented in the media. Opportunities to showcase our work are rare and I hope people will continue to support artists from our community.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am working on a Chinese-American crime drama set in San Francisco based on a hate crime that occurred to a family member.
Interview: August 2023
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
Work Life
Four corporate co-workers unknowingly cross paths during a chaotic weekend that leaves their lives intertwined through improbable twists of fate.
Length: 13:18
Director: Kevin Ung
Writer: Matthew Stewart
Key cast: Mary Ann Pianka (Kaityltn), Sam Masto (Mitch), Mark Kwak (Cyrus), Dominick Marrone (Terry)
Looking for: journalists, distributors, film festival dorectors, buyers
Instagram: @worklifefilm
Website: www.kevinung.film/films/work-life
Other: IMDb
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Cinequest - San Jose, California - August 26th 11AM - Saturday, August 26, 11:00 AM - ICON Theatre Mountain View
Sidewalk Film Festival - Birmingham, Alabama - Saturday, August 26, 5:30pm - Birmingham Museum of Art
Catalina Film Festival - Long Beach, California - September 21st, 10:30AM - Ernest Borgnine Theatre