TRAILER
With unprecedented access to personal video diaries spanning over a decade and a 4-year mayoral campaign, King of Oaktown is an intimate look into the life of an unhoused man trying to make sense of his life, recording it all along the way.
After losing millions forces him into homelessness, Derrick Soo documents his 2022 Mayoral campaign from his iPhone while living on the streets of Oakland. Through his journey, he rediscovers long lost family members, his legacy, and a purpose for living. It is a soulful portrait of an Asian-American man seeking purpose late in life, who represents a flashpoint for so many issues happening across America.
After losing millions forces him into homelessness, Derrick Soo documents his 2022 Mayoral campaign from his iPhone while living on the streets of Oakland. Through his journey, he rediscovers long lost family members, his legacy, and a purpose for living. It is a soulful portrait of an Asian-American man seeking purpose late in life, who represents a flashpoint for so many issues happening across America.
"TREATED LIKE FAMILY. I've enjoyed working with Shelby and Tanner for over 5 years. Together they have made my documentary take on a greater story of hope, resilience, and determination for a brighter future. I carry on my family's legacy of a better tomorrow."
- DERRICK SOO
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ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
Shelby Baldock and Tanner Matthews are award-winning filmmakers, whose previous film Bombie premiered at the Raindance Film Festival in London. Together they have produced notable short films such as La Jaca, which premiered at the Sidewalk Film Festival, as well as commercial work that has gained national momentum with clients such as National Geographic, Discovery, A&E, ESPN, MLB, Huawei, Gibson Guitars, the EMMY-winning The Messy Truth VR, and the Special Olympics. Festival premieres include Atlanta, Cinequest, Hollyshorts, Newport Beach, and more. They continue to push boundaries across media, finding stories that highlight unique perspectives on the American experience.
Directors: Shelby Baldock and Tanner Matthews
Director of Photography/Producer: Tanner Matthews
Editors: Shelby Baldock and Kevin Cheung
Additional Photography: Derrick Soo, Patrick Churvis, Henry Gerharz
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
In 2019, I (Shelby Baldock) worked on a project for Invisible People highlighting Derrick Soo and his story of losing millions and winding up on the streets of his hometown. But what intrigued me was a brief mention of something else - a mayoral campaign - an audacious claim. Together with Tanner Matthews, we reached out to Derrick to learn more, which wound up becoming a 5-year long relationship and journey documenting not only his mayoral campaign, but an intimate glimpse into his life, told through his lens. "I’m documenting this because so many folks don't want to be on camera. I become their voice," Derrick says of his incredible archive of self-recorded videos from his 77th Ave. encampment. He welcomed us into a world that represents a flashpoint for so many issues happening in America: How important is family legacy? How can you distinguish social media vs. reality? Is it possible to create change in our current political system? How do those on the streets maintain a sense of self-worth? What happens when the city you've always loved no longer loves you in return? King of Oaktown is both our exploration of Derrick Soo, and a look through his unique lens into both his city and self.
