LAFF ‘08 INTERVIEW | “Dirty Hands: The Art & Crimes of David Choe” Director Harry Kim

I was compelled to get that story. So when I found him, I asked him to talk in detail about what happened. After he did, this opened up a full story about the biography of this young man. After that point, I started gathering whatever I could about David. I followed him to the Congo, across America a couple of times, Vegas many times, interviewing anybody and everybody. From 2005 on, I started the editing process as I concurrently shot. I finally finished the film in 2008.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in making the film?

Money. But that is the story of most independent filmmakers. This is totally self-financed and taking on an endeavor like this fiscally crushes you on both sides. I could not hold down a steady job and I had to pump money into the movie somehow. So I did whatever it took. Thankfully, my girlfriend and my parents helped me immensely. David also gave me proceeds from one of his paintings. But some of the things I did was sell a bunch of David’s old possessions on ebay, I bought and sold a piece of art that turned out was stolen and I had to fight in court, I went on numerous stressful gambling trips to Vegas with David as his money manager and retained a cut on the winnings, I freelanced computer help to two nice Jewish ladies, I received payment for traveling to the Congo and across America with David, and thanks to the artificially low interest rates, I borrowed tons from my credit cards- from which I am currently doing the transfer balance juggling act.

David. When Jim Carrey became the most famous guy for awhile, I wondered, that’s great but how can someone be around him? David Choe is no Jim Carrey but the man is manic and depressive but mostly manic. And while his lifestyle is ridiculous and exciting, it’s something that most normal human beings can barely keep up with. But while that last 5 years have been tiring, it has also been awesome. Just from this, I already have a good amount of stories to tell to entertain my grandkids.

What are your goals for the Los Angeles Film Festival?

Freedom. I now have the time to make money, get paid, and start living at least a little more like a normal human being. Of course I’ll take the best deal that comes along but I’m a simple man. With my basic needs taken care of, I could do whatever I want, my options are wide open.

What I did not expect was how great the festival was both to the filmmakers and to the audience. They took the filmmakers on a retreat to George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, they facilitate networking with all peoples not just the suits but all types of filmmakers, and they make the audience feel comfortable to attending and being exposed to new films. It sounds like a pitch but it’s true, these people really have their shit together. So I’m kind of also just enjoying being here at my first world premiere and lucky that it happened here.

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