Irina Wirjan
It’s clear that summer is the season for bucket lists. Everyone I meet seems motivated to make the most of the extra long days, eager to squeeze in new experiences – whether it be trying a new sport or attending as many concerts as possible. That “say yes to everything” mindset is contagious, and it’s not just reserved for twenty-somethings. While it’s true that it’s mainly young people who put pressure on themselves to seek new and novel experiences, everyone has the desire to make the most of their time in this life. But what do you do when time runs out, old age catches up, and it becomes physically harder to do the things you want to do? One solution might be to hire a surrogate body to complete your bucket list for you.
Styled as a fictionalized documentary, Gong Gong’s Bucket List follows filmmaker Caitlyn Phu who sets out to fulfill a heartfelt promise to her ailing grandfather: to help him complete his bucket list. With the assistance of a hired surrogate – who has an iPad strapped to his head with Gong Gong’s face seen via FaceTime – the 86-year-old can finally get a tattoo, enjoy a cigarette with an old friend, and shoot a gun. A list that feels fitting for someone Phu describes as a “war survivor, father of six, recovered gangster, Tinder user, and a complete enigma who has mystified every person he’s met.”
“A strong concept and some real passion can still be all you need to make a great film” – director Caitlyn Phu discussing her aims for the film
Buoyed by such a simple yet delightfully wacky concept, the film never feels weighed down by hypothetical questions and instead focuses on the fun Phu and her grandfather have together. Despite an underlying sense of urgency, each scene is effortlessly joyful and grounded in the present moment. The determination Phu has in tackling Gong Gong’s bucket list is mirrored in her approach to the production – she conceptualized, filmed, and edited the project in the course of just one week with a four-person crew. In describing her process, she writes, “I wanted to prove to myself that I could still make meaningful art without my usual resources – no real budget, a short timeline, and all borrowed gear. With this film, I was able to successfully prove to myself that a strong concept and some real passion can still be all you need to make a great film.”
The result is a deeply personal film that deftly combines both humor and heart. There’s a layer of authenticity that’s unmistakable in the work, from the run-and-gun shooting style around Phu’s hometown to the tender moments shared between her and her grandfather. At its core, Gong Gong’s Bucket List is a heartfelt tribute – a love letter to their bond. “More than anything, I wanted to create something with my grandfather that I could look back on,” Phu shares. “A memento of our friendship, a reminder of what it felt like to be close to him, something I could hold onto as time passes and people grow old”.
After winning the Audience Award at NFFTY for this film, Phu is now turning her focus to her next short film – and we can’t wait to see what she creates.