Chicago Seen is a screening series celebrating the diverse talent of Chicago’s film community. Formerly known as the "Spirit of Chicago,” our mission for this program remains the same: to celebrate and increase visibility for locally made films and Chicago filmmakers.

PROGRAM NOTES

CHECK PLEASE (Dir. Shane Chung) 2024

Dinner turns deadly in this high-octane martial arts action comedy about two Korean-Americans settling the issue of their lives: who'll pay for the check.

Director’s Statement:

CHECK PLEASE takes cues from schlocky, zany, stunt-filled action comedy and martial arts films (Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow) because first and foremost I wanted to please the crowd and entertain. I think the best movies are like magic tricks in that you walk away after seeing them asking “how did they do that?!” and I've done my best to do that with this film. And yet I also wanted to use the action genre as a framework to “trick” the audience into sitting with a movie that secretly talks about a deeper theme: multiculturality. I address a few questions about belonging and representation based on my own feelings of being a Korean-American: what is “Koreanness”? Is it innate? Can you gain or lose it? (For example, Jay attempts to reclaim his perceived “loss in Koreanness” by attaching himself to superficial cultural Korean rituals, like picking up the bill.) And is there such a thing as a “bad Korean” on screen?

I wanted to portray Asian Americans in films that go beyond a tired immigrant storyline or a discrimination storyline – that internal struggle being too Korean for America, but being too American for Korea. I feel this is a resonant theme for many kids like me out there in the world, and that this film can help them feel less alone.

COTTAGE GROVE (Dir. George Ellzey Jr.) 2023

In the parking lot of a Southside grocery store, a young man struggles to communicate with his stroke-afflicted father while remaining true to himself.

Director’s Statement:

COTTAGE GROVE merges my love for experimental and narrative film. It is rooted in Chicago, in Bronzeville, a rapidly changing South Side community that is, itself, a character in the script and short. But in stark contrast to this place and all its complexity is the simple beauty of a father-son reconciliation found unintentionally through halting words, meaningful looks, flights of fantasy, and, ultimately, love. My desire for Cottage Grove is to facilitate healthy conversations between parents and their children at any stage of life. The story's core is healing starts with parents' compassion, understanding, and acknowledgment of their children's hurt.

KISS ’N RIDE (Dir. Olivia Jensen) 2022

On her way home from a date, a woman finds reminders of it within her surroundings.

Director’s Statement:

KISS ’N RIDE is based on a true story. It's a love letter to Chicago winters, an ode to commuting and traveling, and an homage to my first date with my now-husband. I wish I had kissed him that snowy December night. Instead of regretting that, I made this film, in hopes of connecting with other hopeless romantics who can relate to all the "what if?"s and dreamy thoughts that engross us when first falling for someone.

SHATTERED (Dir. Jessica Herlitz) 2023

A distraught woman attempts to talk to her husband.

Director’s Statement:

SHATTERED explores the feeling of not knowing whether your own consciousness is telling the truth. It's a scary feeling to be lost within your own head, and I wanted to capture the fear of being out of control within this short film.