Christina Yoon is an award-winning Korean American filmmaker from New York and Atlanta. She was awarded Best Director at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. The award was for her original film “Motherland“. Which won Best Narrative Short at the Provincetown International Film Festival. And became eligible for the 2024 Academy Awards. She is currently a semi-finalist of the Warner Bros. Discovery Access Directors Program. As a writer, she most recently wrote on Apple TV+’s Pachinko. Her work has been featured in The Korea Times and on NPR.
indieactivity: How did you get into directing? How would you describe your style?
Christina Yoon (CY): I became obsessive about movies as a young teenager. It grew to be passionate about visual storytelling and cinema. I went on to film school and fell in love with the immersive, collaborative process of working with creatives. I worked with actors and various film departments to bring the imagination to the screen. I’ve been doing it ever since. My style is dependent on the story I’m telling. But, I generally aim to focus on emotional authenticity and subtlety. I create a world with a strong mood and atmosphere, and lean towards being restrained with a camera.
Do you hire a casting director, or do you like to choose the cast yourself? If so, what criteria go into your casting?
Christina Yoon (CY): I have both worked with a casting director and cast myself in the past. Besides the obvious of seeking authentic performances. I also look for actors that can bring the specific energy as the written character — that it feels lived in. I also look for the ability to take directing notes and pivot performance.
Watch The Official Trailer for MOTHERLAND Directed by Christina Yoon
What went into the casting process for “MOTHERLAND”?
Christina Yoon (CY): We brought on Casting Director Matthew Glasner. Who has just been nominated for a CSA Artios Award for his work in our film). I saw many self-tapes from actresses across the world for the role of Leah. I was looking for an actress for this role who could portray a very specific performance. To express vulnerability and emotion under a strong layer of guardedness. Tiffany Chu brought what I was looking for in putting on this “armor” of protection. And distance while still having raw emotions come through from right under the surface.
Also, as Tiffany is a Taiwanese American. She had never been to Korea and was completely unfamiliar with the Korean language. Rather than having a Korean or Korean American actress pretend. She didn’t understand what was being said. I much preferred our actress be immersed in the true experience of not belonging. Not understanding, and being lost in this new world.
Without giving anything away, tell us a little bit about the script, how did you come up with the idea?
Christina Yoon (CY): I grew up as a Korean American in very diverse communities. I somehow had never met a Korean adoptee nor did I know much at all about the community. It wasn’t until I moved to Korea for two years in my mid-twenties. When I met and befriended several Korean adoptees. I began to research and learn more about the complicated and painful history of this community. I was deeply moved by their stories and felt connected to their experiences in their motherland. Ultimately I felt driven to shed light on their experience on screen. The story is inspired by an amalgam of experiences we heard. As well as my own personal feelings about Korea as a Korean American.
Who is “MOTHERLAND” for? Who do you think would enjoy it the most?
Christina Yoon (CY): Motherland is for anyone who is interested in family origins, home, and identity. Though it is about a Korean adoptee. It has found audiences beyond that community and beyond the Asian American community as well.
How long did it take to shoot the entire film?
Christina Yoon (CY): We shot for four total days in Seoul and Hwaseong, South Korea.
How long was the post-production process?
Christina Yoon (CY): The post-production process took several months after shooting. As it was edited by myself and editor Alan Wu. We took the time to do several passes and explore a few directions before refining it to its current version.
The film had a lot of talent working behind the scenes as DPs, sound designers, composers, etc. Why is diversity important both in front of and behind the camera?
Christina Yoon (CY): Having diversity behind the camera allows for stories about specific communities to be told most authentically. To bring in our own personal experiences to the vision. It also allows for a variety of perspectives to come together and bring something unique to the screen. Diversity in front and behind the camera is important. It allows for stories that may not normally be told to touch audiences who need it most. It inspires future generations to aspire to do the same.
What are your goals with “MOTHERLAND”?
Christina Yoon (CY): My hope for “Motherland” is to affect and move audiences on a personal level. To shed light on the experience of adoptees. A topic not frequently explored but something I view as important to explore and examine.
What’s next for you? What are you working on right now?
Christina Yoon (CY): I’m writing and developing a psychological thriller/horror feature about a Korean American girl, delving into religious trauma. It’s a bit more personal to me, but similarly to “Motherland,” it’s also an emotional family journey.
What would you recommend to a new director at the beginning of his/ her journey? Any special courses, workshops, helpful books they can read?
Christina Yoon (CY): I believe the most useful thing to do as a new director is to practice, practice, practice. Make short films to completion. Even if they are just with friends and an iPhone. Then receive feedback and try to learn and improve from each experience. Watching a lot of films is important of course, as well as analyzing the approaches used by other filmmakers.
Who is your favorite director? Why?
Christina Yoon (CY): I’m inspired by so many. But one I admire very much is Federico Fellini for his masterful ability to blend fantasy, surrealism, and reality. While delving into the human condition in such a beautiful and profound way.
What advice would you give directors around the world?
Christina Yoon (CY): This is advice that I try to take myself — to aim to craft your vision in your own unique way that expands the possibilities of the medium and to stay true to what you love and what excites you.
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