Executive Summary
Set in 1990s Los Angeles, Paper Tigers is a heartfelt drama based on true events. This powerful coming-of-age story is about a young Korean girl on the cusp of womanhood, struggling to break free from an abusive household and embarking on a journey of self-empowerment through her creative talents. Along with a bitter stepmother who yearns for a child of her own and an alcoholic, gambling father, the story creates a realistic and inspiring portrayal of household abuse through three-dimensional characters with themes of resilience, courage, and self-love.
Paper Tigers will be a SAG-AFTRA Signatory production with a strong emphasis on diversity in both the cast and crew. We are actively seeking to cast a highly talented Korean American child actor in the lead role. Paper Tigers is unique because it draws heavily from the real-life experiences of Kim "So Jung" Ellis, who will bring her emotional traumas full circle by playing the antagonist stepmother role. The production is creatively led by her husband, Nathan Ellis, a highly decorated combat veteran military pilot, USC MFA Production graduate, and award-winning writer/director who is represented by the prestigious LBI Entertainment management firm. This film is a labor of love and tribute to his beloved wife and her journey.
Supported by a talented and diverse team of USC alumni and award-winning filmmakers, Paper Tigers is sure to resonate with audiences and critics alike, especially in light of the recent recognition of Asian-American filmmakers and the massive box office success of independent Asian films such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Nomadland, Parasite, Minari, and The Farewell. With its raw and authentic storytelling and superbly crafted characters, Paper Tigers is poised to make a lasting impact a modern audience hungry for inspirational and meaningful stories.
Personal Statement
by Kim "So Jung" Ellis
Based on actual events from my own childhood, Paper Tigers is a vast collection of memories that led to an unexpected, yet profound healing experience as we venture into the story of little So Jung and her journey of discovering her inner strength. I myself did not have a voice growing up and it's through Paper Tigers and So Jung’s journey that I was able to channel my own inner strength and begin to come full circle with my past.
Much like the popular Netflix series “Beef,” this project isn’t race-focused, although my Korean background does play into So Jung’s character in certain ways. Speaking out is often viewed as a sign of rebellion or disrespect and seeking help is also regarded as being weak or shameful, especially since mental health is considered ‘taboo’ in many Asian cultures. This is clearly evident within So Jung and her family dynamics. Through her parents’ flawed decisions and behaviors, we see how the lack of communication, guilt, victimization, and submission affect each individual, with So Jung bearing the brunt of it all.
At its core, this is ultimately a coming of age story about a young woman discovering her voice, but it’s also about me as an adult, gaining the confidence to face my past. Self-expression has always been difficult for me and after decades of silence, the courage I’ve found to help realize this story within these characters and ‘speak’ my truth, has been cathartic. So Jung is a creation inspired by both the child and adult versions of myself. I wanted to give her the courage and happy ending that personally took me decades to find.
As this is a story that is deeply personal to me, I am thankful to have my husband Nathan Ellis, as both my life partner and a talented filmmaker, breathe life into this project. Our goal is to raise more awareness and start more conversations about child abuse, mental health, and inter- generational trauma, especially within API communities. Beyond being a narrative about trauma, we want this to be a unique perspective on how people cope, misguided or not, and how they can ultimately find their own inner strength and sense of hope, even in the most difficult situations life may present.
Director's Statement
by Nathan Ellis
Paper Tigers is a love letter to my amazing and resilient wife and a message of hope and inspiration to everyone out there without a voice of their own. This was a particularly challenging script to write, because of the nature of its subject matter and the impact it had on Kim as well as me, personally.
It is with great respect that I venture forth with her blessing to tell her story in the most meaningful ways possible and with characters who feel complex, relatable and human, no matter how painful her memories of them might be. I feel a grounded approach is best as well, utilizing natural lighting and visual metaphor to help illustrate So Jung’s first steps into young adulthood as she finds her voice, framing her small and obscured in the world at first, then slowly appearing more prominent and powerful in the frame as she finds her voice. I also plan to emphasize the moments that live between the lines as those are where the character and story truly come to life.
As a director, there couldn’t be a more resonant and powerful story for me than this one and I'm excited to empower a diverse and talented team of fellow creatives to ensure we create the kind of film that changes lives for the better and encourages other “So Jungs” out there to find the courage within themselves to overcome everything the world might throw at them.
Comparable Projects
