NARRATIVE SHORT
DECEMBER 17, 2021
CAN | 5 minutes | 2020
Drama short film directed by Sonia Kung
Starring Erin Chai, Derek Wu
Absence
Absence is a short drama film about the relationships between partners in modern life.
Interview
CineAsian Films (CAF): What was the inspiration for making Absence?
Sonia Kung: I think connections and relationships are the biggest themes that our team wanted to discuss. When creating the script, we wanted to work on something that we could be related to. Then, we came up with the primary storyline of Absence. We believe the idea of longing for connections and missing someone would be the central themes that echo with our audiences.
CAF: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the production process?
Kung: I think the biggest challenge is making a silent short film. Dialogue-free is one of the requirements that we needed to meet in our film class. We need to design the story so that actors can tell the story without a line. I would say this film is one of the most memorable ones.
CAF: What do you hope people can take away from watching this film?
Kung: I know it’s a bit cliche, but live in the moment! We always have so many things that happened in our lives that we regret afterward. The only way to avoid regrets is to live in the moment and hold hands with the one you care about. If you appreciate and cherish the relationship, say it! Our lives are not silent films. Say the most important lines in your life!
CAF: Are you working on anything new?
Kung: Not for now! But I am interested in making more films soon! I would like to work on a film related to the second generation of immigrants and people who are fresh off the boat. I would love to do more research and write nice stories about it 🙂
Absence is one of the many great projects shared with CineAsian Films through our submissions process. If you’d like to join them, submit your film.
Credits
Director, Writer, Producer: Sonia Kung
Producer: Bryan Huang
Co-writers: Ky Kim, Erin McGinn
Cinematographer: Bryan Huang
Editor: Ky Kim
CineAsian Films 