Yu-Chen Tom Lee

AIDS Discrimination: Public Execution
2nd Prize Non European Filmschool
Unsigned: yctomlee.com

When did you first pick up a camera?

I can’t really remember, maybe six or seven years old. I recall it was an old-school 35mm camera. I fell in love with it when I first looked through the lens and took my first picture. I already had a passion for watching movies then too, so that probably has something to do with it. But it wasn’t until I was 16 that I directed my first short film and by the time I wrapped the first shoot, I knew there and then that there was no turning back for me.

What does winning at the YDA mean to you?

To be honest, I am still kind of in shock; I didn’t expect to take home any awards, I was just happy to be shortlisted and to find myself in the midst of the best young filmmakers around the world.

However, now that I’ve won, I actually try not to think about it too much, I really just want to continue focusing on my next project. Yes, it is an absolutely tremendous honour to receive recognition from the prestigious YDA, but that is not why I became a filmmaker. For me, winning this has just given me encouragement to continue doing what I do best, and to produce great work in the years to come.

What was the most challenging aspect of making your spot?

It was challenging for me at first because most of my peers and colleagues strongly disagreed with the spot I wanted to direct. Therefore, at times, I almost felt that I was directing a spot that was destined to fail.

For me, coming from more of a narrative background, I always like to bring the aspect of storytelling and character into anything I direct. However, a lot of people told me that it wasn’t the traditional way of making a commercial, that it is usually more visual with simple concepts. So it was more of an experiment for me, and I approached a PSA commercial almost like a short film. I am really glad that it worked out.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

Ang Lee has always been one of the biggest inspirations in my life. Every film he directs is almost from a different genre, yet he still finds ways to maintain his visual style and his way of storytelling. He is truly a master filmmaker.

What do you think is the future of advertising?

I think at this particular age and time, the audiences are not only seeking beautiful visuals in a commercial but also substance. Either it has a well-told story, or a strong thematic concept; I think that audiences are looking for more than just pure visuals nowadays.

What commercial do you wish you had made and why?

I’ve seen many commercials that I thought were amazing and timeless. But I actually don’t wish that I’d been the director, probably because they wouldn’t have been as good! I just hope one day, I can direct my own amazing and timeless commercial, not remake one.

Where do you hope to be this time next year?

I really hope that I will continue producing great work, and that next year I will be back in Cannes to enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine.

If I wasn’t directing I’d be…

Most likely a producer, but if not in the film business then I’d probably be an architect.