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An Interview with Attila Korosi, Writer, Director and Star of Live and Die in East LA

by Mike Haberfelner

August 2023

Attila Korosi on (re)Search my Trash

 

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With To Live and Die in East LA being a crime drama, is that a genre at all dear to you, and some of your genre favourites? And what do you think makes your film stick out of the crowd?

 

I can’t say crime dramas are my absolute favourites but I do enjoy them. What makes my film unique, I think, is the film’s ability to be suspenseful, captivating and artsy… besides just being entertaining, To Live and Die in East LA inspires thinking without being too on the nose… and this is something that lacks heavily from contemporary cinema. 

 

To Live and Die in East LA repeatedly rewinds its story and takes a different direction, storywise - now what's the idea behind that?

 

Yes, it’s like life… I was always fascinated by conversations such as is the outcome of our life predetermined or is it the sum of our choices? Questions like this have been entertaining humans for centuries and have always led to exciting and debatable subjects. I wanted to create a story around this concept by utilizing resources that Los Angeles naturally offers.

 

(Other) sources of inspiration when writing To Live and Die in East La?

 

I was partially inspired by movies like Amores Perros, Nightcrawler and Run Lola Run.

 

A few words about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?

 

Much of my directing and writing are instinctual. I don’t necessarily follow a given pattern. I change, often. And I prefer to naturally adapt to my environment. I love discovering shots and sequences on location.

 

You also play the lead in To Live and Die in East LA - so what can you tell us about your character, what did you draw upon to bring him to life, and have you written him with yourself in mind from the get-go?

 

Well, that was out of necessity… and I will use this opportunity to confess now… one thing I learned from this production is that I am NOT an actor. Acting is very hard and it requires lots of work and discipline. Being behind the camera and directing actors is something that comes much, much more natural to me.

 

Do talk about the rest of your cast, and why exactly these people?

 

I utilized the resources that were available to me. I took what I could and made the best I could out of it. It was pure joy working with my actors. I learned a lot from people like Robert LaSardo, him and I could talk for hours at times. He just called me the other day and we were on the phone for over an hour. Also, Richard Cabral is someone who I respect highly. Most of my actors have endured challenging lives, and having grown up during the Yugoslavian war, I felt a deep connection with them, like kindred spirits.

 

What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?

 

My determination to make this film was such that I believed that nothing can come my way that I cannot solve… and that mindset was tested on our most expensive filming day… my producer calls me that morning to tell me that the studio is kicking us out last minute… The reason? Ridley Scott has rented the studio to film a Verizon commercial!! I went straight to the owner of the studio and I didn’t have to say much, my energy did the talking, and people respond to energy. The owner ended up rescheduling Ridley, even though he was paying about 15x more than we did. We filmed our scene and I became a very good friend with the owner. This example captures the spirit of my production.

 

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of To Live and Die in East LA?

 

People responded well to the film. Which was a bit surprising as it doesn’t follow a traditional Hollywood formula. Established directors and producers reached out to me, which was a surreal experience because I’m always the one who cold e-mails people. We don’t have much marketing however, I believe if we manage to gain traction people would be curious and would enjoy watching this film… I’m going to copy paste a message I received from an established director - “Attila, you don't know me but I wanted to introduce myself. I don't usually do this, but I'll explain. I'm on the program committee for the Oldenburg Int. Film Festival and I've been screening films for the festival taking place in September. I just saw your film and think it's fucking amazing! I can't remember the last time I saw a film that was gang banger/personal drama/coming-of-age film all in one, and every fucking part of it works. This is a true personal and visionary film and I loved it. You're an amazing filmmaker for pulling it off. It's always a little frightening when the director is also a main actor, but you're terrific; the entire cast is. Listen, Oldenburg is a five day fest and they get over 600 films every year, so the odds of making it in are small, but I'm going to recommend your film in the highest possible way, and I'll tell the festival director he's a fucking idiot if he doesn't take your film. Fucking awesome film, man. I can't wait to see what you do next. Thanks for a great experience.”

 

Any future projects you'd like to share?

 

I’ve three screenplays (one was a finalist and the other two semi-finalists on prestigious screenwriting competitions). One is a sophisticated action, another an MMA drama, and the third an action horror. All three have their own unique worlds and messages that go beyond just entertainment.

 

What got you into the filmworld in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

 

My father wanted to be a film director. But then the war happened and he was forced to the battlefield. However, even before the war he ran a succesfull VHS company and since I can remember we were always exposed to movies, music, and art. My father was constantly describing and explaining for example movies like Kurosawa, Bunuel, or Tarkovsky to a four year old me… so yeah, lots of subconscious influence came from that period of my life. I like learning by doing… but I was fortunate to have had very good mentors in my life such as the Soviet Nobel nominated poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, and now film producers like Michael Shamberg, Nicholas Tabarrok [Nicholas Tabarrok interview - click here] and Peter Bilingsley

 

What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to To Live and Die in East LA?

 

I wrote screenplays, I filmed several short films, some even played at festivals. Then I ventured into feature films. I made two feature films with a $150 camera all by myself, pretty much. That was my film school that began back in 2009 and ever since I’ve been bettering myself.

 

Going through your filmography, you seem to feel equally at home in front of the camera as behind it - so which side do you prefer, actually, and why?

 

First and foremost I’m a director then a screenwriter… not an actor.

 

How would you describe yourself as an actor, and how as a director?

 

Acting was out of necessity, we couldn’t afford a real actor. As a director, I would say I am someone who bridges the gap between artsy and commercial films. The director that I would compare myself to would be a mix between James Cameron and Luis Bunuel, haha.

 

Actors, filmmakers, whoever else who inspire you?

 

Art, history, drawing, mythology. My hero is Achilles because he sacrificed his life for his dream.

 

Your favourite movies?

 

Currently: Lawrence of Arabia, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Aliens, Braveheart, Nightcrawler, Amores Perros are movies I could watch on repeat… Billy Wilder movies etc… (there are many more but just listing a few now).

 

... and of course, films you really deplore?

 

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Contemporary mainstream popcorn films… Marvel and the like are not very interesting to me.

 

Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?

 

Instagram: Attila_Korosi

IMDb: Attila Korosi

E-mail: atex12000@yahoo.com (Reach out and say hi!!)

 

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

 

I just very much appreciate what you are doing, Michael… helping movies such as mine in my early stages, gain traction. Thank you very much, sincerely!

 

Thanks for the interview!

 

© by Mike Haberfelner


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written by
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