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Left Behind

This documentary follows Holden Tusk, a soccer player with big dreams but questionable skills.

  • North Chen
    Director
  • North Chen
    Writer
  • Cameron Lee
    Producer
  • Kosi Eguchi
    Key Cast
    "Holden Tusk"
  • Davis Yasuda
    Key Cast
    "Kubo Masato"
  • Siouxsie Lennox
    Key Cast
    "The Director"
  • Leslie Yang
    Director of Photography
  • Phuong Delonix Huynh
    Editor
  • Richard Shi Zhang
    Composer
  • Anna "HUINA" Chen
    Graphic Designer
  • North Chen
    Sound Designer
  • North Chen
    Re-recording Mixer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Mockumentary, Experimental, Sports, Asian-American
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 14, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Southern California
Director Biography - North Chen

North Chen is a director, screenwriter, and sound person currently studying film in California. Born on the East Coast and growing up split between the United States and China, North enjoys exploring themes of sports, belonging, and finding oneself in their films.

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Director Statement

Growing up, I held the belief that I could somehow make it to the level of playing professional soccer. Inspired by the USWNT during the various World Cups and Olympics, I began to take athletics seriously in High School. But after four concussions and a whole host of self-esteem issues, I realized it was an unreachable dream and cut my losses.

This film began as a thought experiment--what if I had never come to the self-realization that I had an unobtainable dream? While making this film, I wanted to encapsulate the ups and downs of an athlete's life--their moments of triumph and failure; conflicting with their coach but also depending on their guidance; and finally, the support (or rejection) of their parents in this brutal lifestyle. At the same time, I wanted to see if I could get audiences to still somehow sympathize with an arrogant "asshole"; I'm sure athletes in the audience will agree with me when I say I wasn't always the kindest athlete, even if I've grown into one.

Left Behind is a heavily dramatized and truncated version of my own life as a failed athlete. I hope it can resonate with others who grew up with similar experiences and help us look back on our memories with joy and fondness rather than regret.