Written by contributor Simoun Marsada
Fresh from HollyShorts Film Festival is Logan Lee & The Rise of the Purple Dawn, a vibrant short with influences of retro sci-fi and quirky comedies. We talk with director Raymond C. Lai and he provided such an insightful look into the film, like how underground hip-hop influenced the film and how important sound production is.
Logan Lee looks crazy fun. What can you tell us about the film?
First of all, it IS crazy fun! In all seriousness though, Logan Lee & the Rise of the Purple Dawn is an Asian-American, coming of age, sci-fi, hip-hop, stoner comedy. It is simultaneously a love letter to all of those elements, and also the most personal film I’ve ever made to date, drawing heavily by my early college days, when I first got into turntablism, marijuana, improv comedy, and 50’s sci-fi films steeped in McCarthyism. It’s based on a feature script I wrote several years ago, but it wasn’t until I met and collaborated with indie hip-hop super producer Dan the Automator that I decided to dust that script off and make this proof of concept. I’m so glad that I did, because it’s rapidly becoming the best received film I’ve made thus far.
What are your inspirations? Any specific filmmakers that you’re influenced by?
Like most artists, I drew upon a disparate set of influences when approaching the making of this film. But without a doubt, the primary source of inspiration for Logan Lee & the Rise of the Purple Dawn was the underground hip-hop supergroup Deltron 3030’s self-titled debut album. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time, and easily my favorite concept album. I loved how it tackled dystopian sci-fi themes with grandiose hip-hop production and dense lyrical levity. Thus, securing that album’s producer, Dan the Automator, as our composer was a dream come true, and a necessary lynchpin to get this project off the ground.
The primary cinematic influences were 80’s sci-fi/horror and comedy. A handful of specific filmmakers and their films comes to mind, including first and foremost, the work of John Carpenter, and his films “They Live” and “Big Trouble in Little China.” I also drew upon Mick Garris’ Sleepwalkers, Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce and David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” quite a bit. On the comedy side, I would say I was most inspired by the Savage Steve Holland cult classic “Better Off Dead,” infused with significant shades of “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” and “Dazed and Confused.”
All of that was sort of blended together, and topped off with an icing of visual flourishes from 80’s and 90’s Japanese Tokusatsu shows, like Kamen Rider and the Super Sentai (Power Rangers) franchise.
Favourite sci-fi character?
Oooh, this one got me brain racking. I’d have to say that one of my favorite characters in recent sci-fi is Moses from Attack the Block. John Boyega’s star-making performance in that film helped to sell Moses’ arch, imbuing it with plausibility and gravity. I really love that film, and it was definitely one I looked at a lot while writing this film.
Logan Lee predominantly features an Asian-American cast. What are your stands in representation and diversity in Hollywood?
I’m for it! The more the better! It’s something I believe all consumers of film & TV stand to benefit from, as the stories that unfold on our screens are exponentially more interesting when the pool of voices and perspectives increases in both breadth and depth.
We heard that Logan Lee is the Best International Live-Action Short Film at Fantaspoa 2020. What can you tell us about this win?
We were ecstatic! Fantaspoa 2020 marked our World Premier, so it was a very genuine, and pleasant surprise. I am well aware that I made a weird little film, and really didn’t know how people were going to react to it. I had always assumed that the appeal would be rather niche.
To learn, empirically, that it connected with so many people at such an esteemed genre festival, in its most well attended year no less, was incredibly encouraging and validating. Much love and gratitude to the programmers and staff at Fantaspoa and to the great people of Brazil.
Any advice to young filmmakers?
Take production sound seriously. It’s the cheapest and most valuable source of production value you can bring to your productions. Beyond that, explore and develop your voice, especially when you think people aren’t watching. That’s the best time to experiment and find your own unique perspective, which will provide the most compelling reason for people to watch and support your work. And lastly, remember to have fun, and choose your collaborators wisely.
