Ken Kao: The Sea Of Trees
Christopher Buck: Well, it was, as I said, it was an awesome film. And, we took our own messages away from it. What do you think, or what was the main message of the film that you wanted to convey, or you felt was to be conveyed through the story?
Ken Kao: Well, I think, if you’ll allow me more than one single answer, I think to kind of go back to what I had mentioned before. I think I was drawn to this film, or rather the story. When I first read the script, nobody was involved yet, I was like, I need to make this film because I felt like it was such an important thing. It would be such an important message or story to bring to the world. And, I think that the beauty of it is that there’re so many layers to it. We spoke about one already, I think this special life-affirming message in that, and it draws people to look at their own lives and be mindful of what, you know, that, you know, mindful of what they need to take care of while they’re here. I think it’s also about finding love and losing love, and what kind of awakening and, the consciousness that brings to you, whether that be a significant other or just somebody else in your life, friend or family, or otherwise that you love. You know, I think that it’s also a reminder about being present. Our world is so fast and complicated now in this day and age, I think it’s important to take the time for yourself, those challenges that we all undergo on a daily basis. And, in this case, was an extreme example, but this is very much about Arthur’s journey (Matthew McConaughey) to healing himself, you know, and healing his loss, healing his grief, his guilt with the relationship that never really reached its full potential. I think it’s challenging for some, because immediately people wanted to dismiss this as, oh, it’s a hard–it’s about suicide. They want to know exactly what they’re getting. They want to escapism or something like that, and that’s fine. It’s entertainment, this world. But, I had the pleasure of doing a Q and A and screening with Pete Hammond in LA the other day, and he used the word demanding, which I think is a fair word. It is a demanding movie. It’s not going to be spoon-fed to you. But, I think it’s also more rewarding in that way. I think if one was to take the effort to scratch the surface of this film, I think you can have a uniquely personal experience. And, it could be very rewarding, I think.
Christopher Buck: I agree completely on that. Most movies, they are mind candy. This one provoked, introspection and thought afterward, and I found that quite refreshing.
Ken Kao: Well, thank you. I appreciate your support. We need more people like you to advocate, not just this film selfishly, but, all films that make you dig a little deeper.
Liane Buck: It’s part of our human nature to avoid washing the laundry, I mean feelings. And, they get really unbearable, overwhelming, and taking the sweetness out of life. And, God, how many people we know that are living in this same predicament, just the amount of energy that it consumes to keep up with things bottled up inside, that’s kind of overwhelming, too.
Christopher Buck: Now, the film right now, it’s rolling out in theaters nationwide. Are there any particular future plans for the film?
Ken Kao: It’s going to start–it’s going to release next week, in limited LA and New York on the 26th, and then also be available at the same time on demand. And, then it’s going to have a wide release–wider release in subsequent weeks throughout the country.
Christopher Buck: Awesome. Well, we’re looking forward to seeing in theaters, and up on the big screen. So, thank you very much for you time today, and thank you for making time for us and further contribution of yours to society
Ken Kao: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thank you so much for being supporters of the film, and it’s really wonderful to talk to you.
KEN KAO (PRODUCER) is co-founder and CEO of Waypoint Entertainment, a production, development, and financing company. In 2014, Kao established Bloom, a film distribution, sales, and financing company with veteran international film executive Alex Walton. In addition to representing films as a foreign sales agent, the pair are building a diverse slate of films – from commercial, talent-driven titles to specialty films from proven filmmakers.
In 2014, Kao produced two Terrence Malick films. The first of these films is Knight Of Cups, which premiered at the 37th Annual Berlin International Film Festival in February 2015. The feature stars Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, and Cate Blanchett. The second film is Malick’s yet-to-be-titled project starring Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, and Rooney Mara. The untitled feature is also set for release in 2015. Waypoint Entertainment is currently partnered with Joel Silver and Silver Pictures to produce The Nice Guys, a detective thriller starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Warner Bros. will release The Nice Guys, Summer 2016.
In 2015, Waypoint began production on film legend Martin Scorsese’s Silence, starring Liam Neeson and Andrew Garfield. The project is scripted by two-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter Jay Cocks. Silence is an adaptation of the 1966 Japanese novel by Shusaku Endo, which details a pair of Jesuit priests who face violence and persecution in 17th Century Japan as they attempt to locate their mentor and spread the gospel of Christianity.
A graduate of The University of Kansas and DePaul University School of Law, Kao practiced law in the high-tech, sports, and fashion industries for seven years prior to entering the film industry. He is currently developing, producing and financing an amalgam of projects set for wide release in 2015 and beyond. Kao is represented by WME.
