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The New Hollywood North: Tiffany Hsiung

The Apology director on her big break, her favourite films and what movie she’d make with $1 billion

The New Hollywood North: Tiffany Hsiung

Known for: The Apology, a documentary about sexual slavery during WWII 

First filmmaking experience: “When I was six, without a camera, I reenacted the time-travelling scene from Back to the Future using a tissue box and my brother’s toy car. I was storyboarding, but I didn’t know it at the time.”

Why you decided to become a director: “In my high school photography class, I was obsessed with trying to freeze time. But, when I realized that photos couldn’t necessarily tell a full story, I switched to filmmaking.”

Your big break:The Apology, which got me known as a filmmaker.”

Something every young director should know: “To prevent burnout, remember that it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon.”

Desert island movie:Eat Drink Man Woman by Ang Lee. The movie is all about food, though, so watching it on a desert island would probably be torture.”

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Hollywood star you most want to work with: “Michelle Yeoh. She’s the full package.” 

Most memorable celebrity interaction: “While documenting the Olympics in 2008, I met Serena Williams, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. It was surreal.”

Favourite cinema snack: “Dumplings from Chinatown. I sneak them in.”

Toughest part about directing: “Having to finish. Every film is like your child, so wrapping production is like watching them leave home.”

One simple fix that would improve the film industry in Canada: “Making independent films more accessible. There’s a lot of good stuff out there, like Parasite, but mainstream crap tends to get the most distribution.”

Someone gives you a $1-billion budget. What movie do you make? “I’d collaborate with filmmakers from around the world and make a single, unified story.”

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Would you rather win an Oscar for best director or direct the highest grossing film of all time? “I think direct the highest grossing film of all time. That way I could spread the wealth and create opportunities for other filmmakers.”

Your next project: “I’m making a feature-length version of Sing Me a Lullaby, my film that won best short at TIFF.”

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