By Virag Vida
Reunion tells the story of Guy (Jake Choi), a man working at an Asian American funeral home, who attends his high school reunion hoping to restart his life. A twist of fate works in his favor when he is mistaken for a mysterious and highly successful former classmate. This classic comedic setup defines the film’s tone — a character-driven comedy that delivers plenty of lighthearted moments while also reaching deeper emotional layers, gradually unfolding the characters’ stories.Producer Noah Pitifer revealed that writer-director John W. Kim, a devoted admirer of 1970s cinema, personally wished to invite Candy Clark to join the project in a special role. “Candy immediately said yes and was delighted to join the cast,” the producer shared.
During the evening, we had the opportunity to ask Candy Clark about her experience on set.
“I only had one day of shooting — actually just one afternoon — which had to be rescheduled because that was when last year’s major wildfire in Los Angeles began. Originally, my scenes were supposed to be filmed on the first day, but due to the Altadena fire, they were moved to the final day. I’ll be seeing the film for the first time tonight, so it will be a surprise for me as well.”
Candy Clark received an Academy Award nomination in 1974 for her performance in American Graffiti. “That was the most defining experience of my life. I think everyone should experience what it feels like to receive an Oscar nomination… Everyone deserves that kind of attention at least once in their life! I remember receiving so many flowers and pager messages — which don’t even exist anymore… It was incredible.”
We also asked her about one of her most iconic films, The Man Who Fell to Earth, in which she starred alongside world-famous singer-songwriter David Bowie.
“Luckily, I hadn’t seen any of his concerts before we finished filming, so I just treated him like another actor. That was actually my advantage, because if I had seen him perform before, I probably wouldn’t have been able to say a word to him… When I finally saw him on stage, I was completely captivated and became a huge fan.”When asked whether David Bowie personally chose her for the role, she gave a surprising answer: “Actually, I was cast first, and only after that did they bring David on board. So technically, my approval was needed for him to take the role,” she recalled with a laugh.
Candy also shared that although working with him was a defining experience, they did not stay in close contact afterward. “Because of the distance, it was harder to keep in touch back then. I lived in Los Angeles, and David was in New York. But I clearly remember that once, when I was in New York, we ran into each other…”
The atmosphere of the live music and champagne cocktail reception before the screening was undoubtedly elevated by the unique venue, where guests were surrounded by wax figures of the world’s biggest film stars. The evening also featured a personal and touching moment, as the cast surprised the writer-director with a large blue birthday cake, stylishly crowning the premiere celebration.
“Persian Carpet” – Female Identity and Fate in Focus at an International Festival
The Beverly Hills Film Festival is currently taking place in Hollywood, once again serving as an important international meeting point for the independent film world. The multi-day festival, typically running for five to six days, showcases more than one hundred films, featuring works from nearly 30–40 countries. The event was founded by Nino Simone with the aim of supporting and giving visibility to international independent filmmakers.
On the festival’s red carpet last night, we met the lead actress of the short film Persian Carpet, Shila Ommi, as well as the film’s director, Gabriel Beristain. The film has received notable attention at the festival due to its significance.
Gabriel Beristain first gained international recognition as a cinematographer, contributing to the visual worlds of productions such as Blade II and Guardians. As a director, his work strongly relies on visual storytelling and a character-driven approach. Shila Ommi, an Iranian-American actress, has appeared in several international productions and often takes on roles that explore cultural identity, women’s lives, and social issues.
The lead actress spoke about the importance of fully living one’s rights as a woman—while also emphasizing that this can only be complete if the partner, the man beside her, accepts these rights as well. She also referred to the extremely difficult situation of women in Iran, noting that, as widely reported, the Iranian regime severely restricts women’s rights, and in many cases, women live under unprecedented oppression.
When asked what the film’s title represents, the actress explained that the “Persian carpet” symbolizes diversity. Iran itself is not uniform—each region is different, just as the patterns of Persian carpets vary. At the same time, the title also symbolizes women: each woman carries a unique character and inner world.
The film’s director spoke about the importance of visual expression, highlighting that outstanding cinematography was a key element in the creation of the film. He added that beyond addressing human rights, his intention was to tell a more personal, yet universal story through the language of directing.
