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Hirokin: The Last Samurai marks the directing debut of Alejo Mo-Sun, whose extensive behind-the-scenes work on several action films has given him the classic Hollywood experience/training.
After lending his producing and behind-the-scenes talents to films like Born to Race and Deep Rescue, Alejo Mo-Sun’s Sci-Fi, post-apocalyptic tale of survival starring Wes Bentley of American Beauty and Ghost Rider fame was released last year and is will be available on Blu-Ray/DVD on NOVEMBER 6TH. Recently we got a chance to sit down with Alejo at the Jace Hall offices and interrogate him on his filmmaking expertise.
JHS: Describe what you hope audiences will take away from Hirokin: The Last Samurai.
My hope is that the movie communicates the concept of having the courage to transform – I think we all have a challenge (s) that we must face. Somehow find the courage to transform weakness into strength. Life forces one to confront that weakness and demands that you transform into your greatness. Ultimately, I think that greatness for all of us has to do with love, tolerance, and service. So, Hirokin, like your and my destiny is about fulfillment. To fulfill his true potential. I hope Hirokin inspires anyone watching it to have the courage to fight to meet their potential.
JHS: What’s the biggest challenge of trying to make a Sci-fi film on a lower budget?
Ultimately man-power is the biggest thing. Having the man power to have a production to run smoothly. Also, the lead and follow thru times. A movie like the AVENGERS will often have multiple sound facilities and every mix stage utilized for months on end. We had 7 days to mix the sound and score on – one tiny stage. It’s crazy how much goes into making a movie.
JHS: What do you believe is the most important element to INVEST in as a filmmaker?
Movies are only accomplished by passion. Without passion — the movie is dead. You need to have the unyielding desire to complete the task. To literally drive that singular task to completion. You will face every obstacle imaginable and amidst that turmoil — one must invest a calm and confident disposition that communicates to every — it’ll be okay — the movie will culminate. We shall prevail. That will that drives your vision to fruition — I call passion.
JHS: Did you attend film school? If so what was the greatest lesson you learned? What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned that NO school could ever teach you.
I spent my early years as an actor. Did things like “on camera” classes with David Rotenberg (from Yale Drama School) and you start to see what works and what doesn’t. That vision evolves into screenwriting and shooting – both repetitive ways of practicing making movies.
All artists feel the “call” to to action. We feel that there’s a story in us that we must tell. So, in many ways artists don’t choose to do what they do. They must. Otherwise they’re in opposition to themself. I felt like this about making movies.
Helming an ambitious picture like Hirokin — that despite having only a million dollar functional budget competes with the big 80-250million dollar pictures — is a spiritual undertaking.
What making a movie does to those around you no film school can prep you for. Make sure you are surrounded with loved ones who will support and nurture you through the process. Or, at least give you the space to handle the demands.
JHS: The plot line for Hirokin sounds very similar to some dark video games, a recent one being Assassins Creed which releases this week…are you a “gamer” or have video games ever inspired any of your work?
I love gaming and gamers. I feel like we’re all rebels. I really admire the whole gaming culture. In many ways gamers are like this movie. A renegade production that thinks it can compete with the Goliath’s of the world. This little movie took on space reserved exclusively for the studios. So, a gamer would likely think – I can make an epic-sci-fi-action-adventure pic like the big studios with a million bucks. Oh, and I do recall playing a racing game with Jace and being quite competitive despite the fact that I was new to the game – I think he said that he thought “I was gifted” – he’ll probably deny it.
Jeff Nau – who has written 1264 posts on The Jace Hall Show.
Jeff Nau is a main contributor to the Jace Hall Show covering pop culture and music trends in the nerd community. He has contributed to San Diego City Beat, 944, and Ill Literature, amongst others, and spends his spare time working as an artist and photographer.

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