Brian L. Tan, an aspiring director who’s only 26, believes that the power of an action film lies not in the size of the explosion, but in the story that lights the fuse.
Tan will put that theory to the test with his next project, “Holdout,” a short film he shot last month in the rainforest at the far reaches of Manoa Valley.
“Holdout” draws from a loyalty story for the ages: Hiroo Onoda, a real-life Imperial Japanese Army officer during World War II, obeyed his final order to continue the fight and remained hidden in a Philippine jungle for 29 years because he believed the war was not over. Onoda was finally convinced to give up in 1974, returning to Japan as a hero.
Tan saw a compelling tale in Onoda’s devotion. In the jungles of Lubang Island, 93 miles southwest of Manila, Onoda lived off bananas and coconuts. He killed villagers, thinking they were enemies of Japan, and suffered for years in the humid, mosquito-infested jungle.
“It’s all about the main character and his struggle, and the action is just icing on top of that cake,” Tan said in a call from Los Angeles. “The action is there to accentuate the stakes, to make things exciting and entertaining. But the heart and soul of ‘Holdout’ is a man’s struggle with himself.”
Tan wanted to explore the motives of a soldier who refused to surrender. Although inspired by Onoda, the main character of “Holdout” is named Matsuo.
“Matsuo kind of knows the war is over, but he can’t bear to take himself out of the war because it is ingrained in who he has become,” Tan said. “He is the war. He can’t bear to lose the sense of purpose and sense of identity it gives him.”
Hawaii is the only location for the film. Tan shot over 4-1/2 days and in rainy weather that was torrential at times. The jungles were cinematic, the rain less so.
Tan said he brings a worldly view to the film, which will be only about 25 minutes long.
The son of a business consultant who worked around the world, Tan grew up in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and the slightly less glamorous Southern California town of San Bernardino. In high school, surrounded by Brians everywhere, he got the nickname BLT, like the sandwich, and it stuck.
After graduating from UCLA, Tan went to work honing his skills in animation and special effects at DreamWorks, Paramount and then Digital Domain. His credits include work on big-budget studio films including “Tron: Legacy,” “X-Men: First Class” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” He’s also created commercials for Porsche and Cannon.
But more than anything, Tan wanted to be a director. Now he has his own company, Iconic Films, and dreams of big-budget blockbuster films.
“I want to make smart action movies,” he said. “I think nowadays a lot of action movies are formulaic. Giant explosions and robots. They are forgetting the key essence of a good action movie: a good story.”
“Holdout” will get its action from Toshi Toda, a veteran actor with numerous screen credits, including a role in Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning “Letters From Iwo Jima” and “Menace II Society.” He stars as Matsuo.
“He got into the role,” Tan said of Toda, who brought the element of sternness to his part. “It was a very physically demanding role. There is action and basic stunt work and being in the jungle and rolling around.”
That included a shootout, some samurai sword action and kicking and punching. In one scene he carried another actor. For another he hiked to a waterfall with the crew and carried all his gear.
“He did it all himself and totally rocked it,” Tan said. “Rain or shine, he embraced each scene and did what he had to do to get the shot.”
The film should be released in March.
And that’s a wrap …
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
