The writer and director of Lucky Star Gillian McKercher discusses the feature film that boasts an Asian-Canadian cast (Terry Chen, Olivia Cheng, Conni Miu) and reflects on family, deceit and luck (screening this week at the Vancouver International Film Festival), with Joseph Planta.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Gillian McKercher joins me now. She’s a written and directed a new film, Lucky Star. It’s a terrific movie set in Calgary, where Lucky played by Terry Chen, once a gambler, has since settled down with a wife, two daughters, a business and a mortgage. He falls for a tax scam, and after losing a good chunk of money, and saddled with more bills that pile up, he realises he might have to go back to his gambling ways to recover his losses and keep afloat. His wife Noel, played by Olivia Cheng, and daughter Grace, played by Conni Miu, also have moral dilemmas of their own. Naturally, they’re opposed to his gambling. The film is a great look at familial bonds, deceit, and sacrifice. It’s wonderfully paced, and gripping to watch. It’s a marvelous addition to the Asian-Canadian film genre. Gillian joins me now to talk about this film, identity and more. She is a writer, director and producer based out of Calgary. Her first feature Circle of Steel was critically acclaimed and the winner of the Audience Award at the 2018 Calgary International Film Festival. Visit www.gillianmckercher.com for more. The film screens 6.30pm Thursday, 03 October 2024 at the International Village Cinema. There’s another screening Saturday, 05 October 2024 at 12.30pm. Gillian is scheduled to attend both screenings for Q&A’s. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Gillian McKercher; Ms. McKercher, good morning.

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