Feature Film: Bad Education - Kai Ko’s Directorial Debut
Courtesy of Bad Education
Bad Education is a Taiwanese crime mystery action film directed by Kai Ko in his directorial debut. The film received four nominations at the 59th Golden Horse Awards, including Best New Director for Ko and Berant Zhu winning the Best Supporting Actor category. The film stars Kent Tsai, Edison Song and Berant Zhu.
Bad Education Synopsis
On the night of their high school graduation, three juvenile delinquents find themselves getting drunk at their regular hangout, throwing beer bottles and enjoying the abuse hurled at them by nearby residents. But for these young men about to enter a new chapter of life, this little bit of chaos is nowhere near enough to farewell their dying youth. Before dawn, they decide to share their deepest, darkest secret with one another. After all, only true “bros” are qualified to know their most unspeakable deed.
The first secret is shocking. The second secret is terrifying. The third secret is… Wait! Didn’t we agree to a fair exchange? This third secret doesn’t qualify! Unless you want us to kill you, you must do something terrible enough so that we also know an equally unspeakable secret about you. Right now! Tonight!
We caught up with Director Kai Ko to get his insights on Bad Education.
Bad Education Director Kai Ko
Is this your first time as being a director? How is it different being an actor?
Yes, this is my very first time to be a film director. The state of mind is quite different.
As an actor, I mainly do my homework for the role, and communicate with the director on the scene; but as a director, I have to see things subjectively. Besides guiding the actors, I also have to discuss with them in order to create the ideal outcome.
Did you encounter any difficulties when filming "Bad Education"? How did you solve it?
Every step is difficult for me. In the very beginning, discussing the script , casting, selecting the crew til officially started of filming, it is a new challenge to me. It has been in the process of compromise and communication, and it is slowly moving toward completion. The solution is to not only aim to respect everyone's expertise but also need to stick to my own ideas.
You and “Nine Swords” (Giddens Ko) have always cooperated very well, but this time, as the director, do you have any different views on this cooperation with him?
I would rather say that “Nine Swords” has more experience in filming, so he can capture good shots which is really helpful in editing; I am more concerned about the atmosphere and the setting of the scene. On top of that, I have been an actor, so I would know the mindset of the characters. However, I don’t think who is 100% correct just good and bad.
”Bad Education” is a good bonding with teenagers nowadays. Are you trying to deliver any messages to the audiences?
First of all, everyone’s life experience is unique and the things we went throughout would have different point of views based on own life experiences. I would rather say that my audiences will find their own attachment with my movie but I don’t tend to deliver my message to them. The most important thing is they are connected with my movie.
In the future, do you have any plans to enter Hollywood or making any international films?
Definitely I would love to collaborate with any good projects internationally and working with those cool people in the film industry from different countries, because everyone has his/her forte that I can learn from. Hollywood is definitely a optimal goal for me. If I have any opportunity to work with, I will absolutely nail it.
Courtesy of Bad Education
Director’s Statement
Bad Education begins with three high school graduates preparing to break free from the education system. They will meet the test of real society the way they know best — the way they learned through the school education system. They will make mistakes, they will be taught lessons, and they will also leave behind some cruel, unforgettable answers about life.
Everyone may feel something different after watching this film. When I was making it, there wasn’t anything in particular I wanted to give to the audience. Rather, my hope is that those who watch it can gain something from the experience.
Being a director brought me enjoyment on multiple levels; I was constantly challenged to the limit.
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Photos Courtesy of Bad Education / Harvest 9 Road Entertainment
Courtesy of Bad Education
Crew:
Director: Kai KO
Screenplay: Giddens KO
Executive Producers: KO Yao-Zong, LU Wei-Chun, Giddens KO, Midi Z
Producer: Molly FANG
Cinematographer: CHEN Ta-Pu
Editor: SHIEH Meng-Ju, LEE Huey
Art Director: Sunny WU Jo Yun
Music: WONG Kin-Wai
Sound Designer: R.T KAO
Costume Director: WANG Chia-Hui
Production: Harvest 9 Road Entertainment / Seashore Image Productions Co., Ltd.
Cast:
Berant ZHU (as CHANG Po-Wei)
Edison SONG (as HAN Chi)
Kent TSAI (as WANG Hung-Chuan)
Leon DAI (as Mr. Hsing)
Daniel HONG (as A-Tai)
CHANG Ning (as Drunk Lady)