So Yong Kim answers questions after the screening of FOR ELLEN. Her husband and producer, Ryan Smith, is holding their child.
Everyone is talking about the amazing performances from children in this festival. There are many notable performances, maybe starting with writer/director Mark Webbers’ two-year old son, his supporting actor in THE END OF LOVE, and certainly including LUV‘s Mark Rainey, Jr. and the remarkable Quvenzhane Wallis, the six-year old who anchors BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD.
The young actress Shaylena Mandigo, another six-year old, plays the title character in MFF alum So Yong Kim’s FOR ELLEN, and gives one of those mostly quiet and powerful performances that perfectly fit the film she’s in. Kim found her in a PE class in Massena, NY where the movie is set. Paul Dano plays her Dad – he’s the center of the film and also gives a great performance. Their scenes together are heartbreaking.
–Jed Dietz, Friday, January 27
