Michael Ben-Iftah Nutovits – Hongfu Hotel

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Q) What inspired you to get into filmmaking?

A) I think both of us have always just known we wanted to get into filmmaking. Tian’s been big into horror and monster movies, and I’ve always loved fantasy stories and whatnot – when we met at Chapman and became friends, we realized we both spoke the same language in terms of the type of stories that connected with us.

Q) What is the inspiration behind Hongfu Hotel?

A) It initially started as us coming out of college and wanting to find a story that we can connect with. Tian [Xu] had recently returned to China after a long time and visited a Buddhist temple from this childhood. Seeing the faded murals inspired us to tell this story and along with our desire to tell these kinds of Neo-folk stories, it led to Hongfu Hotel!

Q) During the casting process, what were some of the key elements you sought in the actors that portrayed each character?

A) It’s a pretty small cast so we got very specific with it. For the father, a lot of it was about being able to hit those emotional beats. Zhu Sheng-Yin, who played the father and grandfather, was the obvious choice for it. For Feng, it was about being able to give that more weary and reserved performance.

Q) I really love the way you captured the family members that reside in the hotel and their otherworldly forms. What kinds of conversations did you have with co-writers Tian Xu and Bing Xu on the way to portray each family member when Feng (Kevin Dang) comes to visit his father?

A) Ultimately, Feng doesn’t spend much time with any of the family members outside of his father. So, the idea was how can we capture their personality and dynamic in that short span. A lot of that had to do with the design of the character and environment & then use dialogue and performance to fill in those gaps.

Q) Kevin Dang’s performance as Feng was phenomenal, especially as you witness the different struggles in relationships he has with his father and his wife yet is eager to be around his other family members in the hotel and even seek out their advice. How did you prepare Dang for the journey that his character will take in the film?

A) We do a lot of prep, so we had time to work with Kevin to figure out that dynamic. The focus was on finding that balance with showing emotion but in a way that’s more reserved. It’s kind of anti-melodrama in some senses. But then you have those small moments with his father, son and grandfather where you see that be less of the case. So, capturing that balance, which Kevin just did and knocked out of the park, is what makes the film work!

Q) I love the overall play on darkness and light in the film, especially with the way that the grandfather appears to be the brightest part of the hotel. Was that a deliberate choice or purely coincidence?

A) A little bit of both. The grandfather is the hotel, in some sense. So, it would make sense that his core would be the brightest part, even as it dims. But so much of those subtle details are the work of having an amazing crew that absolutely killed it on all fronts. We spent a lot of time with our key crew, DP Steven Tie and PD Mojo Wen and then our VFX team to fill out all those details and they really made our film.

Q) Since its completion, what has been the reaction to those who have had the chance to watch this film?

A) Very positive, which means so much to all of us. People have really connected it and appreciated it which is kind of surreal. I mean the fact that one person would enjoy it is already kind of mind blowing so we’re all just honored and appreciative of the response.

Q) What message do you hope viewers take away from watching Hongfu Hotel?

A) Ghosts are real. (Kidding!) In all honesty, the hope is people take away that life and family is complicated and messy and it’s the small moments that make all the difference.

Q) What is the best advice that you were given when you decided to start making films that still resonates with you to this day?

A) To keep writing and making film. You can’t control the world or its reaction, but you can control your own output

Q) Aside from Hongfu Hotel, do you have any upcoming projects that you can share with us?

A) We are working on a feature version of the short right now. It’s gonna be a different beast altogether but we are excited!