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Producer Luci Kim talks global film ‘Last Knights,’ starring Freeman, Ahn Sung-ki

March 17, 2015

Luci Kim, producer of upcoming film “Last Knights”

By Christine Ha

A film starring Hollywood favorites Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen, as well as South Korean actors Ahn Sung-ki and Park Si-yeon, with a Japanese director and Korean producer?

Producer Luci Kim talked “Last Knights,” an action flick about a group of revenge-seeking warriors, with the Korea Times.

It was surprising to see the end credits at the end of the film [because of so many Korean names].

In one phrase, it’s a global film. “Last Knights” is set in Prague, stars American, Korean and Japanese actors and has Japanese Director Kazuaki Kiriya holding the megaphone. The scenario is by Michael Konyves, edited by Oscar winner Mark Sanger (“Gravity”) and stunt-coordinated by Korean martial artist Jung Doo-hong. I put a lot of effort into communication between staff and talent during filming because of it.

You started filming three years ago.

The scenario was written in 2011, and it took two years to secure funding and another two for filming, editing and post-production. The film was originally planned by Sovik Global Contents Investment Fund, which is aimed at bringing Korean productions overseas. The only thing left to do is see the results as it screens at theaters in 10 cities, including Los Angeles on April 3. We’re planning releases for South Korea, China and Japan as well.

How did you get global funding?

Through Luka Productions, which I set up with my friend Kate Hong, we participated in the forming of a fund that would connect investors in Hollywood and South Korea. The global fund came about in 2011, and I set about producing “Last Knights.” This is my first time producing a feature-length film. I wanted to show Hollywood the skills of the South Korean film industry through the talents of staff, including the cast, CG artists and stunt staff.

How did you become involved in film production?

By helping Director Gina Kim, now a professor at UCLA, on her first feature-length film, “Invisible Light” in 2003. I didn’t major in film in college. I studied environmental science at USC and went on to do graduate school there. While I was Director Kim’s assistant, I became interested in independent film production. My mother was the first anchor for Korean news here, and so I became involved in commercial and film production through her connections in the industry. In 2004, I started buying publication rights to Japanese mangas, and in 2008 I set up Luka Productions.

What are your plans going forward?

Following the creation of the global fund, I’ll be involved in global distribution. I’ve created LUKA-NOVA, an entertainment distribution company based in Los Angeles, Korea and Japan. I want to act as a bridge between South Korea and Hollywood when it comes to Korean films, dramas, games and toys, and I plan on continuing to produce global movies.

4 Comments

JL

March 18, 2015 at 12:09 AM

Miss Luci Kim,

If you’re going to make a movie and have it directed and produced by Asian people, why not make the lead character Asian? You’re talking about a “global film” here but it sure doesn’t look that way after having viewed the trailer. What it looks like is another movie catering to white audiences with Asian men, yet again, left in the background or as a sidekick. Asian men already get the shit end of the stick when it comes to representation in the media so why would you add to that? I hope I’m wrong on this one. God damnit.

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- Olivia M
  
  March 18, 2015 at 6:00 AM
  
  Agreed.
Mercy M.

April 26, 2015 at 2:27 PM

Love it love it..still loving it, though JL’s argument is right. Enlighten more Luci kim..

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SonJoria Sydnor

July 27, 2017 at 1:42 AM

This was a great film!!
I loved it so much!
I am sorry but truly understand the comments above. It brings a sense of empathy knowing that other ethnicities deal with similar issues in film.

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