Kogonada, director of the film “Columbus,” along with stars John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson, react after learning Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb declared them honorary Hoosiers during a five-year anniversary celebration for the film at North Christian Church in Columbus on Monday.
Columbus rolled out the figurative red carpet this week to mark the fifth anniversary of rolling out the literal red carpet for the premiere of a namesake feature film.
“Columbus,” the movie directed by Kogonada and starring John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson, also prominently stars our city and its architecture. This film is simply adored, and not just by locals. The modern-day make-or-break Rotten Tomatoes rating for the film is 97% certified fresh, an astonishing level of critical acclaim.
All of which gives weight to a sense that something very special, significant and lasting happened here five years ago, when cast and crew came to shoot a movie. So special that earlier this week, they returned to this place, which they all said has stayed with them.
The Republic’s Brian Blair was among the 300 or so people who gathered at one of our architectural gems, North Christian Church, to hear the director and lead actors talk about the film and its impact.
“Kogonada reminded the audience that the very idea of a director and a film’s stars revisiting a movie shoot city several years after establishing something of a bond is nearly unheard of in the film industry,” Blair wrote.
“That in itself says something very special about this place,” the director said.
In a world where cinematic players are forever preparing for the next film, the next role, ultimately searching for meaning through their art, they found that and more in Columbus — the film and the city.
Cho, for instance, is in pre-production for another performance as Sulu in the next “Star Trek” feature film set for release next year. Richardson stars in an upcoming romantic drama now in post-production called “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight”. Yet they, too, adore and lovingly revisit the influence Columbus had on them personally and professionally.
“Sometimes special moments in your life intersect with a special place. And this was that place for me,” Cho said. “We weren’t here very long. But it left a very deep groove on my heart.”
And as Blair reported, “People have loved Richardson so much that the Facebook page for YES Cinema, where the film premiered locally Sept. 1, 2017, refers to the Phoenix, Arizona, native as ‘Columbus’ adopted daughter.’”
Spontaneous, heartfelt and funny, Richardson charmed the crowd. “To be back here feels so personal,” she said. “I already feel like I am going to cry.”
The event was organized by Landmark Columbus Foundation with support from the Columbus Area Visitor Center, and a collaboration grant with the City of Bloomington from Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The recognition of “Columbus” also included Mayor Jim Lienhoop presenting a proclamation from Gov. Eric Holcomb naming Cho, Koganada and Richardson honorary Hoosiers.
Great art, like great architecture, lasts. Columbus is blessed with the good fortune to have lasting legacies in each. And as director Koganada said, that’s very special, indeed.
