Li Dong, the Canadian-born Asian filmmaker, pushes boundaries to spread inclusivity through films. The multifaceted risk-taker, from undertaking med & law school to becoming a strip club DJ before settling on directing and screenwriting, released his first feature film - Stealing School - which was debuted in the USA by Vertical Entertainment recently. “Stealing School” reflects on systematic racism happening in higher institutions. Dong gets candid with Jejune on film directing and racism faced as an Asian creative. Keep on reading to find out how we can follow his example to create more inclusive spaces!

Where are you based?
I am currently based in Toronto, Canada.

What made you want to become a filmmaker?
I am less bad at it than I am at most things that I’ve tried in life (med school, law school, professional poker player, strip club DJ… the list goes on).

Who are some of your biggest influences?
I admire Steven Soderbergh for his constant pushing of the boundaries in the artform (to varying degrees of success!).

Do you remember the first film you ever made? If so, what was it about?
I edited streetball highlight clips to Kpop music. Still might be my best work.

In one sentence, how would you describe your trajectory as a filmmaker?
Small euphoric upward blips, followed by stretches of unbearable existential lulls.

Do you prefer screenwriting or directing? Why?
Directing, because I get to talk to someone else other than myself.

Where do you find inspiration for film ideas?
Mostly from crimes I think I’d enjoy committing.

We loved your film, Stealing School. Could you tell our readers what the film is about?
Stealing School is about an Asian-Canadian tech genius who is accused of plagiarism the week before her college graduation.

How did you come up with the idea for this film?
I wanted a story vehicle to talk about race, gender, power dynamics, and the weird world of academia… eventually, I came up with this courtroom dramady format that allowed me to do all of that.

What would you say is Stealing School’s main takeaway? What is something we can all learn from watching this film?
People are dealing with stuff you can’t see so try to be kind to them if at all humanly possible.

Stealing School deals with systemic racism in higher institutions. What approach do you take when creating films that contain serious subject matters such as racism?
Just try to be as honest as possible to the subject matter while also not taking myself too seriously.

April’s story is the story of many. What kind of research was done when writing the script for Stealing School?
For some reason I was pretty obsessed with getting the procedural elements of the trial correct, so I talked to a lot of academic-type people who sat on those kinds of tribunals. I didn’t need to research the racial aspects of the story because I grew up in rural Canada while having my face.

Stealing School speaks volumes amid a reckoning on anti-Asian racism. How do you believe film can increase activism for Asian communities?
Honestly, I’m not sure that film can do that at all. I try to make entertaining movies that get general audiences to empathize with the main characters (who--more often than not--happen to be Asian).

How do you as a filmmaker ensure that you are using your platform to raise awareness for issues dear to you?
As a filmmaker you’re able to force a viewer’s perspective, so by forcing audiences to empathize with people who aren’t like them, it is possible to raise awareness for issues that general audiences may not be aware of, or encounter in their daily lives.

What can we do to continue and strengthen the fight against anti-Asian hate?
Speak up when you witness something messed up. Even if it’s uncomfortable, I assure you it’s nowhere near how uncomfortable the Asian person is feeling in that moment of racism.

Likewise, how can the entertainment industry work to become more inclusive and socially conscious?
Create more pathways for people of color to end up in executive positions (bonus: you’ll probably get better content by doing this as well!).

Are there any projects you’re excited about that you’d like to share with Jejune?
I really want to do a dark-romantic comedy with broke millennial Asians.

How are you staying positive during lockdown?
So much ice cream.

What’s your motto in life?
“The Vengabus is Coming.”

To learn more about Li Dong, please follow him via the below platforms:
Instagram - @thelidong

Li Dong: Be Kind