'DÌDI (弟弟)’ Director Sean Wang & Editor Arielle Zakowski on Kid Talent, Short Turnarounds & Angst on the Big Screen

If you were a teen in the early 2000s, the film Dìdi will likely evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. Dìdi, which is said to embrace “the cringier side of adolescence,” premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for the best U.S. Dramatic film. 

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Sean Wang and Arielle Zakowski to discuss:

• The invaluable experience gained working in advertising 
• Why the advertising world is a great start for new filmmakers
• Feeling emotion through the computer screens in the film
• Our silly AOL Instant Messenger user names from the early 2000s
• Empowering the young actors and giving them the space to play
• How to help actors stop overthinking when they are stuck in their heads
• Getting the director’s cut finished in time to submit to Sundance
• Being pregnant during post-production 
• The power of making small, very personal films

Memorable Quotes

• “We always wanted to make sure you could feel the person behind the computer.” [15:49]
• “Any idea is a good idea. If you try it and it doesn’t work, then we can recalibrate.” [18:47]
• “Maintaining any sense of objectivity in the edit is kind of the hardest part.” [31:31]
• “The thing you think is just the thing you do for fun that no one will care about, that’s the thing that will help you find your voice.” [33:43]
• “Make the things that feel very small and pure and have those build on top of each other.” [35:45]

Mentioned:

Follow Arielle on IG 

Follow Sean on IG 

Dìdi trailer

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