Tallgrass filmmaker questionnaire: Kevin Pang, ‘For Grace’
Kevin Pang, co-director, “For Grace”
Currently residing in: Chicago
Genre(s): Documentary
When is it screening? 12:30 p.m. Friday at Wichita Center for the Arts and 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Wichita Art Museum
Tell us about your film in 10 words or less: A chef wants to open the best restaurant in America.
Why were you drawn to tell this story? Originally we wanted to document the mechanics of opening a restaurant, one that chef Curtis Duffy wants to be the best in America. There’s a lot inherently at stake. But as filming went on, we find out more and more about his dark personal life. There’s a bombshell revelation halfway through the movie that colors the rest of the documentary – when we found out about this, we knew we had to tell the world this story.
How long did you work on the film? The film was shot, edited and produced entirely by a team of two – myself and co-director Mark Helenowski – explaining why it took four years for us to complete.
Who are directors you look up to/are inspired by: I love Alexander Payne. There’s a Midwest sensibility about his films that’s accessible and attractive.
What’s your favorite film? Cheating with three films: “Trainspotting,” “Election,” “City of God.”
Do you prefer jumping off a cliff or taking the long, winding way down? Long, winding way down. More scenic route.
Been to Wichita before? First time in Kansas!
Be honest. Ever mutter the phrase, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore”? I’ve never been in Kansas before, and my dog doesn’t understand simple subject-verb-noun sentence constructions. So, no.
Any advice for aspiring filmmakers? It’s true in any field of the arts: If you want to become a better musician, listen to more music. If you’re striving to be the great American novelist, read anything and everything. Same goes for filmmakers: Watch everything, from Truffaut to Apatow and Wes Anderson to dumb reality shows. You can learn lessons from it all.
Anything else you’d like to add? As a newspaper food critic (my day job), I’m excited to explore the city’s dining scene!
This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Tallgrass filmmaker questionnaire: Kevin Pang, ‘For Grace’."