Kate Tsang has crafted a striking directorial debut in
Marvelous and the Black Hole. The film is a tender examination of how beautifully difficult it can be to find hope in times of darkness and features wonderful performances from a standout cast.
Tsang spoke with Film Inquiry about the film, which is set to make its premiere at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival.
Wilson Kwong for Film Inquiry: I know that the film is based on some of your own personal experiences, but it’s also not completely autobiographical. Can you talk about how you decided what parts of your life to include, and what parts to change?
2021 Sundance Film Festival Review – Marvelous and the Black Hole
Written and directed by Kate Tsang.
Starring Miya Cech, Rhea Perlman, Leonardo Nam, Kannon Omachi, Paulina Lule, and Keith Powell.
SYNOPSIS:
A teenage delinquent teams up with a surly children’s party magician to navigate her dysfunctional family and inner demons.
As a coming-of-age comedy with a quirky title,
Marvelous and the Black Hole is quite probably the most typically Sundance-y film of this year’s festival. And while familiar to a fault, it mines the flippant charms of star Miya Cech for every drop they’re worth across its breezy 81 minutes.
“Marvelous and the Black Hole” will make you believe in magic.
Filmmaker Kate Tsang’s feature directorial debut follows Sammy (Miya Cech), a 13-year-old delinquent struggling with her grief over the death of her mother. After her exasperated father enrolls her in a summer business
“Marvelous and the Black Hole” will make you believe in magic.
Filmmaker Kate Tsang’s feature directorial debut follows Sammy (Miya Cech), a 13-year-old delinquent struggling with her grief over the death of her mother. After her exasperated father enrolls her in a summer business class, Sammy meets the gruff magician Margot (Rhea Perlman), who is on her way to perform a show for kids. And through this new friendship and some magic lessons things start to change for Sammy.
Tsang cites her relationship with her grandfather, who helped take care of her when she was growing up, as the inspiration for this story.