Director Lloyd Lee Choi's “Lucky Lou” is set to begin filming in New York City later this year.
Based on Choi's short film “Same Old,” “Lucky Lu” tells the story of a Chinese delivery driver in New York City who discovers his e-bike has been stolen. With his family on the road after many years of separation, Lu must deal with a society that has turned its back on him while trying to replace the one thing that promises to keep his family afloat.
Taiwanese actor Chang Chen (Dune) has been cast as the film's lead character. Nina Yang Bongiovi, Destin Daniel Cretton, Ron Nagor, June Munford, Asher Goldstein, and Tony Yang also join the production team.
Speaking at the Goldhouse Filmmaker’s Creative and Financing Journey panel during Sundance Film Festival Asia, Bongiovi discussed the financial journey behind Lucky Lou. “Dealing with film financing is always an emotional journey,” she said. “But when you have a great team of producers and a visionary director, you can build and overcome difficult times together, with the ultimate goal of delivering a meaningful story to audiences around the world. It’s a rewarding and fulfilling process to unleash your talent.” [like Lloyd] “To the world of distinctive narrative.”
“Same Old” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Palme d’Or competition, and also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, the New York Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival, where it won Best Short Film. “Raising funds for any independent film is a very difficult mountain to climb, especially for a first-time filmmaker,” said Choi, who is making his directorial debut. “But this film was put together in the best possible way, with a team of producers who were inspired and wanted this film to become a reality.”
In addition to Cretton and Bongiovi joining as producers, the production is also backed by Gold House's Creative Equity Fund, which was created to build on its parent company's existing accelerators and services for emerging filmmakers by investing in independent film and media companies, most recently in Shawn Wang's Diddy.
“‘Lucky Lou’ is a perfect example of Goldhouse’s mission: to skillfully blend critically acclaimed stories with commercial appeal while moving our culture forward together,” said Christine Yee, general partner at Goldhouse Creative Equity Fund.
Choi, who was in the Gold House 2022 Film Fellowship, is the company's coming-of-circle moment.
Who co-produced Choi's short film “Closing Dynasty”.
“Bringing Lucky Lou to life alongside longtime Goldhouse partners Nina Yang Bongiovi and Dustin Daniel Cretton is incredibly important,” said Yee. “No two filmmakers are alike, but they all take time and benefit from an ecosystem of support – and it’s an ongoing honor to witness and be a part of Lloyd’s.”
Cretton's production company Hisako Film Lab will produce the project in association with Significant Productions.
