The Academy Award nominee returns this summer with an all-new modern romance
Welcome to Renegades, Gold House’s editorial series spotlighting Asian Pacific leaders and creatives who are carving their own paths and defying stereotypes along the way. This week’s Renegade is director, writer, and producer Celine Song!
Celine made cultural waves in 2023 with her first feature film, Past Lives, unpacking the concept of inyeon (인연) for the larger public and earning her an Academy Award nomination. Her new film, Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, follows a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker as she finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. See it in theaters June 13.
What did you want to be when you were growing up, and how does that compare to where you are now?
I wanted to be a novelist. I’m a professional writer, so it ended up being pretty similar.
Your first play, Endlings, spotlighted the untold story of Haenyeos, bringing a piece of Korean history to the stage. What did this play teach you about authorship and risk-taking and how did that help lay the groundwork for your transition into television and film?
I wrote that play thinking that no one would produce it and, in a way, as a breakup letter to theatre. Of course, it turned out to be the most successful play I’ve ever had. It taught me I should just make what I want, and not worry about what everyone else thinks I should make.
Your first screenwriting credit was on Amazon’s series, The Wheel of Time. How did your time in the writers’ room help shape your voice, and what advice would you offer to young writers aspiring to break into similar rooms?
I got that job with a spec pilot about professional poker players! Rafe Judkins, who runs The Wheel of Time read it, I interviewed with him, and I was hired to be a staff writer. I loved working on that show so much for the first season, and I think I learned about leadership and creative authority from Rafe most of all. My advice for breaking into a writers’ room is to write a strong spec. If given the opportunity to do an interview, talk about your strengths and what specific quality or skill you can bring to the room to round it out. To stay in the writers’ room, be collaborative, communicative, and nice.
With Past Lives resonating so deeply with both critics and audiences, how has the positive reception of the film impacted you personally and professionally? Was there a particular moment — whether at Sundance or during awards season — that felt especially surreal or meaningful?
Sundance was the most incredible, because this film was suddenly being seen in front of a live audience for the very first time. Sharing the film was the most meaningful! The wonderful positive reception of the film completely changed my life, professionally — it gave me a career in filmmaking. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Your film, Materialists, marks your sophomore feature. How does it feel to finally share this new chapter of your work with the world, and what are you especially excited for people to see?
This movie is me trying to be as honest as possible about the great mystery of love. I’m so excited for everyone to get to know me better as a filmmaker, which I hope will happen with each movie I make. This film is just as personal as the last.
Past Lives beautifully displayed New York as a backdrop – almost like a love letter to the city – and Materialists was filmed in the same setting. What was a typical day like on the Materialists set, and how did Dakota, Pedro, and Chris bring the city and story to life?
I would walk or take a car to set from my apartment in Manhattan. As I would approach the set, I’d start to see our trucks and crew setting up mixed in with New York City street crowds. It’s very romantic. The rest of the day is just about executing the plan we set at the top of the day. The plan almost always changes, but we stay nimble and pivot to one of the many other plans we’d thought of together.
Once the day gets going, it’s nonstop until we wrap. It was the most amazing experience to work with these three incredible actors, who showed up with ardent ion for their work and boundless love for the characters they were embodying. I can’t imagine making this movie with anyone else except these three wildly talented people. And New York City — very difficult to shoot in, but completely worth it. The story of Materialists is fundamentally set in New York, the way Past Lives was.
You recently directed Laufey’s “Goddess” music video. Looking ahead, are there other mediums or kinds of stories you’re eager to work on in the future?
I really loved working on that. I’d love to shoot more music videos!
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Book: Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Morning Routine: Stare at my phone or make phone calls in bed for about 30 minutes. Drink coffee.
Last Movie You Watched: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Dream Collaborator: Fortiche Production
Comfort Food: 갈비찜 (Galbi-jjim)