Randall Park, best known for his acting roles in “Fresh Off the Boat” and “WandaVision,” recently made his directorial debut with the film “Shortcomings,” based on Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel of the same name. Park stated that he never saw himself as a leader before directing the film, but enjoyed being in a leadership position. The story of “Shortcomings” revolves around protagonist Ben Tanaka and his struggles with relationships and identity politics. Park found the character relatable and wanted to address real-life conversations and issues. The film features actors such as Justin Min, Ally Maki, and Sherry Cola.
The movie opens with a scene featuring Ronny Chieng and Stephanie Hsu in a spoof of “Crazy Rich Asians,” in which Chieng previously starred. Park explained that he included the scene to pay homage to the film and its significance within the Asian American community. Despite including criticism of the film within “Shortcomings,” Park agrees with the character Miko that “Shortcomings” couldn’t exist without “Crazy Rich Asians.”
When asked about the financial success of the film, Park expressed a relaxed attitude and hoped that word of mouth would help the movie find its audience. He recognized the challenges of marketing the film, especially due to the ongoing strike in the industry, which led to limited promotion involvement from the actors.
Regarding the strike, Park expressed hope for a fair agreement and desired changes in the industry, particularly in terms of compensating actors and protecting their image rights. He acknowledged the challenges faced by working actors and the importance of resolving issues surrounding AI usage in perpetuity.
Park acknowledged the complex and polarizing nature of the main character, Ben, and expected mixed responses from viewers. He welcomed the different interpretations and reactions to the flawed but relatable characters in the film.
Park cited Noah Baumbach’s films, such as “Frances Ha” and “Marriage Story,” as inspirations for specific sequences in “Shortcomings.” He mentioned that his comfort zone lies in creating intimate spaces where characters engage in conversations and hang out.
Reflecting on the 16-year gap since initially reading the graphic novel, Park discussed how his appreciation and taste in films had expanded and how his personal growth and therapy sessions influenced his decision to delve deeper into the characters in the movie.
While Park didn’t aim for specific conversations to occur, he expected the film to spark numerous discussions and discourse upon its release. “Shortcomings” promises to address various topics and issues, encouraging viewers to think and engage in meaningful conversations.