OLD FOX | Malibu Film Society Screening and Q&A

SCREENING REPORT

Old Fox

Project Title: Old Fox

Market: Malibu

Screening Date: November 17, 2024

Location: The Regency Agoura Hills

Scheduled Screening Start Time: 2:00 PM PT

Actual Screening Start Time: 2:06 PM PT

Room Capacity:

Actual Attendees Total:  22

Turn Aways: 150

Applause at the end? If so, how many seconds? 8 seconds

SCREENING RECAP

The screening started after Scott Tallal introduced the film to the audience. The lights turned off, and the audience got excited just from the opening credits. They were immediately drawn in by the father-son bond of both Lioa Ji and Liao Tai-Lai. From the simple moments of them in the kitchen eating, to Liao Ji meeting Boss Xie ( Old Fox) there were a lot of emotions from the audience from sentimental to suspense and even anger. The unknown of Liao Ji’s mother, along with the relationship between Old Fox and his tenants leaves questions unanswered. The young boy carries a sense of maturity as well as humor that is felt throughout the entirety of the film. The audience had many moments of laughter between Lioa JI’s remarks, especially towards his father. When it ended, there were applause throughout the Regency Theater. 

Audience Comments (overheard):

Laughs at tenant and woman dancing in kitchen in celebration

Laughs at Liao Ji saying “you’re the one who likes egg pastries” to Liao Tai-Fai 

Q&A RECAP

Moderator:

Scott Tallal

Panelists: 

Hsiao Ya-Chuan ( Director and Screenwriter)

Davis Chang (Translator)

Scott began by asking Hsiao how this film came to be and he said it was because as a father of two, his daughter would ask him about whether there was fairness and justice in the world and he couldn’t give them an appropriate answer so it sparked this idea to discuss that period in time with Marshall law. He states the film is dedicated to his mother because a lot of this film focuses on his upbringing and his mother making him who he is.

The production design brought back a lot of memories for Hsiao, and he insisted on having every aspect as accurate as possible to portray this story that so many could relate to. Hsiao looks back on meeting Bai and explains that for him, there was no other option for an actor besides him. His parents would not allow Bai to act any longer, until they saw Hsiao was directing and knew he needed to be a part of it.

The interview ended with two audience questions, one about the scene in the elevator and how the director was with his wife at the time and someone else was behind him and he wanted to be kind and not make a scene which is why he imputed it into the film. The second was about his mom not being a single mother, but his father working so much that his mom took the role of full-time parent on and that is why this single father story is portrayed instead.