Filming is not a dream
“It was my commitment to bring you to the ocean, to show you how to set a course. But, the lands you set out to find are your own. "
- “Dear Catherine”
Having done immigration by investment for the most of my life, I can be said to be a professional in my field. I didn't expect that in 2019, I will be hotheaded and did another thing that is not earthshaking but interesting. I made a micro movie!
Dear Catherine is the first short film produced by Arte House. The story is inspired by a trip to Antigua in the summer of 2018. It's a combination of business and leisure travel. It may be that I like this island between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean so much, it completely soothed the nerves of all of us. Along the way, friends shared their knowledge and understanding of overseas life, wealth, family, health, interests and hobbies. At the end of the journey, my brand partner, Jung Ah Suh, had an idea to turn this journey into a movie story, sharing the clash of the values between two generations of wealthy Chinese families and the importance of family inheritance. We found that compared with the excessive emphasis on wealth of the first generation, the younger generation is more self-centered, more concerned about what they think inwardly and desire to build a long-term value system. Because of this, our protagonist is a young and independent woman. Through the elaboration of the film, she finally discovered that the meaning of having a dream of life is to provide long term service to others rather than self-enjoyment.
This is my first time to participate in film production. As a very pragmatic lady, I know nothing about shooting and production. It's a great honor that Svetlana Cvetko, a famous Hollywood director, is willing to take this short film. I remember the first time we met at the Highlight restaurant on the top floor of Dream Hollywood. She asked me seriously about my original intention of making this film. I replied that I want to be Martha Steward of China. Martha encourages American women to return to the kitchen, and I hope that I can encourage Chinese women to live around the world. Svetlana readily agreed to our invitation to shoot this short film. You need to know, Svetlana is a famous documentary director in Hollywood. Her movie, “Show Me What You Got”, just won the best film at 65th Taormina Film Festival in Italy.
“Show Me What You Got”
Winner of best film at 65th Taormina Film Festival
Director: Svetlana Cvetko
Already acclaimed Director of photography renowned for her work in a long list of critically acclaimed documentaries, including:
Oscar winner “Inside Job”, Oscar nominated “Facing Fear”, “Red Army” in the official selection of Cannes, and “Inequality for All” which won the special jury prize for best US documentary at Sundance.
Editor: David Scott Smith
Executive Producer:
Phillip Noyce & Sergey Sarkisov
Although it's a low-cost production, all the procedures of the production team are in accordance with Hollywood standards: from actor recruitment to casting, costumes, makeup, props and log keeper, there is nothing less! There are more than a dozen people in the small and elaborate production team; each performs one’s own functions. At the moment when everything is almost ready, Mrs. Huang, the key character of our film, has been slow to find a satisfactory candidate. It wasn’t easy to find a wealthy lady who started from empty-handed in such a short time. When everyone was in despair, a belated candidate caught our eyes on the last day of casting. Everyone took a closer look, OMG! Isn't this Mrs. Huang herself? Fortunately, the film was finally able to start shooting as scheduled.
Although the budget for the first shooting was limited, I was very pleased to be able to invite such a heavy hitter director. In order to reduce the production cost of the film, we as the main creators also contributed our private ornaments. Mrs. Huang's Hermès Kelly bag and Dior clothes were provided by Jung Ah, and Pomellato jewelry was provided by me. Grant's yacht was moored at the Newport Beach Marina, and the captain was also provided for us on the day of shooting. I remember that day I just arrived in Los Angeles. When I got on the boat, I had jet lag and fell asleep. When I woke up, the whole team had finished filming. Now that I think about it, it was really an interesting experience!
The names of the characters in the firm also originated from my life. Catherine is the name of my younger daughter. The name Jack came from her seatmate she liked when she was 5 years old in kindergarten. Mrs. Huang borrowed the surname of my friend who journeyed with me to Antigua, and Vera was the name of my assistant. Originally, I was arranged by the director to make a cameo appearance in the film. But, in the end, due to time constraints, I failed to do so. However, attentive friends have discovered that a very critical plot in the film, which was to call Mrs. Huang's real estate agent was “acted” by me. Although I didn't appear in the film, I made a cameo appearance with my voice, which was especially enjoyable!
Now when I recall the many scenes at that time, I suddenly feel like I was giving my speech of winning the prize, and there are too many friends to thank. Special thanks to Grant King of the Relevant Group for letting us use his yacht for free, and my friend for providing us the residence in West Hollywood for the mansion scene of the art broker. The Hollywood Dream Hotel developed by our company’s US immigration EB5 project also provided the Penthouse for shooting. The high degree of fit between these scenes enables the film to accurately convey the message of "family inheritance".
★ EB5 Dream Hotel
Grand opening in the beginning of 2017, as the iconic series of exclusive agent of Visas Consulting Group, the Hollywood Star World series, adjacent to Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by four boutique hotels, Tao restaurant, Beauty & Essex and other high-end and well-known restaurants in the United States, PH-D bars, and Avenue Star nightclubs. These will be a large-scale catering dining, entertainment and accommodation complex in Hollywood, Los Angeles. At present, the first phase of Hollywood Star World has been approved by the I-829 permanent green card, phases 2-6 have been approved by I-526 conditional green card, and phase 7 has been approved for an I-924 exemplar project.
★ Tao Restaurant
It is worth mentioning that Tao Group, the restaurant group that swept the world and the most popular restaurant in the United States, has already entered. The celebrities' favourite Tao restaurant, which won three seats in the top ten most profitable single restaurants in the United States in 2015 is a miracle. What's more, the Highlight bar exclusive rooftop performances, dinner party, press conference, red carpet, and other LA city events are also in the Dream Hotel one after another. It’s extraordinarily bustling. Grammy private party, Revolve’s first live award ceremony, BET Awards weekend event, Dash Radio interview event, Lincoln's celebration of the launch of the 2019 new car model, Tao Group Halloween party, etc. There are a lot of celebrities, tourists and the party scene is full of revelry and hubbub. Even the "most handsome governor", Gavin Newsom, chose to hold his campaign reception at the Hollywood Dream Hotel when he was elected governor of California in November 2018. Los Angeles is about to host the 2028 Olympic Games, and Hollywood Star World will become a new landmark of Hollywood in the future.
Through this micro film journey, I feel that the literary circle is not accessible to ordinary people. Making a movie requires not only good creativity and technology, but also good health. Secretly give you a teaser here; we are now planning our next even better movie. If it wasn't for the epidemic, maybe I'd already been "gesticulating" in front of the camera now! Arte House will continue to present a better visual experience for you. Please look forward to our global blockbuster next year. Not long ago, my video “Angela’s 12-Hour in Shanghai” was praised by many clients and friends, so I thought of rereading "Dear Catherine". Maybe, with the growth of each year's experience, each of us will interpret the film differently. We are looking forward to seeing your new understanding. Welcome to leave a comment, you will get a special gift from us if your comment receives the most likes.
More info about the film:
Motive Title：《Dear Catherine》
Duration：10:47
Genre: Short film, Story
Plot Outline: Mr. Huang, who lives in Shanghai, China, has a successful career. He has invested in real estate and art and accumulated family wealth. His daughter, Catherine, is educated and lived in Los Angeles. In the spring of 2019, Mrs. Huang visited her daughter Catherine in Los Angeles and brought Mr. Huang's entrustment from Shanghai. How would young Catherine choose her future? This film uses an open-minded way to explain the values, love and understanding of the two generations. Father's love is like a mountain. Family inheritance and self-worth can coexist.
Cast Members:
Director: Svetlana Cvetko, David Scott Smith
Photography: Svetlana Cvetko
Editor: David Scott Smith
Production Design: Candi Guterres
Music: Simone Giuliani, “Ye Lai Xiang" by Li Xianglan
Main Cast:
Lee Chen --- Mrs. Huang 黄太太
Tom Chung --- Mr. Huang 黄先生
Rose Han --- Catherine 凯瑟琳
Daniel Joo --- Jack 杰克
Other Actors:
Cristina Rambaldi --- Vera 维拉
Neyssan Falahi --- Art Dealer 艺术品经济人
Angela Bi --- As Herself 本人
Mattia Minasi --- Bell Boy 行李员
Oliver Gruber --- Developer 开发商
Sarah Davallou --- Assistant 艺术经纪人助理
Itzik Rapaport --- Coach 教练
Dubbing:
Jay Yu --- Mr. Huang 黄先生
Angela Bi 毕颖
TCT Arte House, Founder
angelabi@tctandco.com
Written on June 18, 2020
