Justin Chon on Filmmaking and Empathy: Flintridge Prep Students Engage with Art and Perspective

“Great films place the audience in the role of a therapist… movies are empathy machines.”

Filmmaker and actor Justin Chon visited Dr. O’Brien’s Language of Film class at Flintridge Preparatory School this week for an insightful Q&A session. The class explores Chon’s work in the context of race relations in 1990s Los Angeles, and his visit offered students a unique opportunity to connect with both the art and the artist on a personal level.

Chon passionately discussed the filmmaking process, navigating the entertainment industry, and the power of perspective-taking in both storytelling and life. “When two sides don’t communicate, you risk losing what’s most precious,” he shared, emphasizing the critical role of dialogue in bridging divides.

Flintridge Preparatory School, 4543 Crown Ave., La Cañada Flintridge, (818) 790-1178 or visit www.flintridgeprep.org.