‘Fast’ Director Justin Lin Returns to Indie Cinema at Sundance with ‘Last Days’

by

The Sundance Film Festival has served as a springboard for numerous directors, among them Justin Lin, whose first movie “Better Luck Tomorrow” was debuted in 2002. This movie, which revolves around ambitious Asian American teenagers delving into crime, received acclaim from critics, with Roger Ebert, in particular, lauding it and praising Lin as an emerging talent, even likening the film’s quality to that of major studio productions.

Following the success of “Better Luck Tomorrow”, Lin’s professional journey took off significantly. He directed “Tokyo Drift”, the third installment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, which he helped transform into a worldwide sensation with five movies added to its series.

In addition to these projects, he also helmed “Star Trek Beyond” and contributed to popular TV shows such as “Community” and “True Detective”. Lin attributes his breakthrough at Sundance with providing access to numerous possibilities, stating, ‘I simply wished to attempt everything.’

Now, following two decades of blockbuster films, Lin has returned to Sundance with “Last Days”, his first independent production in years. This movie tells the story of John Allen Chau, a young missionary who tried to evangelize the secluded Sentinelese tribe in 2018, ultimately losing his life during the process. The tale made headlines due to its dramatic and contentious nature.

At first, Lin admitted he had been too harsh in his judgement of Chau. However, after reading Alex Perry’s article in Outside Magazine and talking with Chau’s father, Patrick, Lin started to perceive a more intricate narrative. He empathized with Patrick as a fellow parent, stating, ‘As parents, we don’t want our children to experience pain, but we can’t prevent it either.’

It turned out to be very fortunate that Chau was chosen for the role. Lin happened to come across Sky Yang, famous for his performance in “Rebel Moon,” at a screening of “Better Luck Tomorrow” in London. Yang seemed perfect for the part and secured it after auditions, with Ken Leung taking on the role of Patrick.

Filming “Last Days” was an enormous task, covering locations like Thailand, Iceland, London, India, and California. Lin remembers fighting against monsoon winds in Thailand, where a storm destroyed part of the set within minutes. Amidst the disorder, he stated, ‘We were determined to make it work no matter what.’

Following his sudden exit from Fast X, Lin is now open to a variety of opportunities, ranging from low-budget indie projects to high-profile blockbusters. His forthcoming ventures include Seven Wonders, an Amazon series headlined by Simu Liu, as well as the heist movie Two for the Money, which features Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig.

Looking back at his professional path, Lin mentions that he’s become pickier these days. He feels that as time goes on, everything seems more valuable. He needs to be enthusiastic because it represents two years of his life. For him, Last Days signifies a new phase in an extraordinary voyage.

Read More

2025-01-25 20:44