Lloyd Lee Choi Explores Working Class Struggles in ‘Lucky Lu’

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It’s not necessary to be an expert in rocketry to create films, yet writer-director Lloyd Lee Choi came close to becoming one before embarking on his first feature film, “Lucky Lu,” which is set to premiere on May 19 at Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. In simpler terms, Lloyd Lee Choi had a career path that led him almost to becoming a rocket scientist, but he chose movie making instead and will debut his first feature film at the Directors’ Fortnight event in Cannes this month.

At 17, I was accepted to Ryerson University for aerospace engineering, but just before I was set to go, I experienced a sort of existential dilemma. Many Asian-American children and kids of immigrants can probably relate, as it would have provided a secure, comfortable lifestyle. However, it didn’t resonate with me at all, so I decided to apply for a liberal arts school in Vancouver instead. I ended up living among film students in the dormitory, and they convinced me to assist them in creating student films. This experience ignited my passion for the art form.

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I was admitted into Ryerson University’s aerospace engineering program at 17, but at the last moment, I had an existential crisis that many Asian-American and immigrant children may understand. It would have offered a safe, comfortable existence, but it didn’t feel right, so I opted for a liberal arts school in Vancouver instead. Living with film students in the dormitory, they persuaded me to help produce student films, and I became captivated by the process.

Discovering Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund’s gritty Brazilian drama “City of God” was a pivotal moment in my cinematic journey. Much like “Lucky Lu” and my admired filmmakers, the Dardenne brothers, this masterpiece delves into the lives of the working class and individuals teetering on society’s edge. As I watched it, my mind was literally blown away, opening up a whole new realm of storytelling that lay beyond my comfort zone. However, I wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with the struggles portrayed in the film. My parents, much like other immigrants, arrived in this country without much, running a convenience store for years and working countless blue-collar jobs to make ends meet. So, while “City of God” introduced me to tales untold, it also resonated deeply with my own experiences and the relentless hustle and the strong desire to provide for my family that I had witnessed growing up.

The portrayal of Lu, played by 2018 Cannes juror Chang Chen, was significantly influenced by the events depicted. Lu is a New York City immigrant who earns a living as a deliveryman. However, his delicate life takes a turn for the worse when his e-bike gets stolen. In a desperate struggle against time, Lu embarks on a quest to find his stolen bike and gather funds to secure a new apartment. Meanwhile, his long-absent wife and daughter from Taipei unexpectedly arrive.

Born and raised in Toronto, but of Korean descent, Choi – a seasoned commercial actor – shifted base to New York a while before the onset of the pandemic. As he observed, the city was surviving mainly on food deliveries, and drivers were unexpectedly deemed essential workers. “I couldn’t help but think about the personal sacrifices these individuals made to keep the city fed, as well as their own struggle for survival,” Choi shared. This thought process led to his 2022 Palme d’Or-nominated short film “Same Old,” which he later transformed into “Lucky Lu.” His 2023 short film “Closing Dynasty,” another story set in New York that tackles poverty, received top honors at Berlin, SXSW, AFI Fest, and numerous other festivals.

Similar to Vittorio De Sica’s 1948 Italian neorealistic drama ‘The Bicycle Thief’, ‘Lucky’ shares elements such as emotional depth, tension, certain plot points, and heartfelt moments between the protagonist and his child. Director Choi spent two months searching for Carabelle Manna, a 7-year-old actress who plays Lu’s daughter, Queenie. He expresses his satisfaction saying, ‘I’m so glad we took that chance; she truly elevates the film.’ The cinematography also stands out, skillfully depicting the grimy texture of Chinatown during a 22-day shoot in cold, rainy conditions.

Choi, represented by WME and Canopy Media Partners, has a couple more films in development. One of them appears to be an underdog sports drama centered around a Korean-American father-son relationship revolving around a gifted golfer. The other is a mystery thriller with a focus on motherhood in Korea, featuring another delivery character. However, Choi is unlikely to deviate much from his background in dramatic independent films, as he describes the golfing film as having a tone similar to ‘Whiplash’ rather than ‘Happy Gilmore’.

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2025-05-17 10:16