Our latest feature for the month of August is with filmmaker Leslie Alejandro who wrote and directed the horror thriller short, Parachutes. The 30-minute short had its world premiere at Houston’s Asian-American Pacific Islander Film Festival in June and premiered at Comic Con International Film Festival in San Diego last month. It stars Sherry Cola (Joy Ride), Monica Potter (Parenthood), Laura Im (Western Avenue), and Haruka Igarashim (Shōgun).
Based on a true story, Parachutes follows a Korean teenager named Youngwon who is admitted into a foreign exchange student program by her parents with hopes of reforming her into an ideal daughter after the tragic loss of her sister. Arriving in a small, Midwestern U.S. town, Youngwon finds herself at a trailer park living under the roof of her heavy-handed host mom named George. Cut off from the rest of the world, Youngwon bonds with Keiko – a Japanese exchange student also living in this mobile hell home. Together, they must learn to communicate in order to protect each other from George’s wrath. Parachutes aims to “shed light on immigrant struggles, foster empathy, and prompt change.”
Leslie tells us about how she got the initial idea for the the film, working with the talented cast, pushing boundaries within the horror genre, and more.
Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Bianca Catbagan and Noah Asanias.
What can you tell us about Parachutes, and how did you come up with the concept?
Leslie: Parachutes is a passion project that explores different perspectives of the American Dream. The idea grew out of a close friend’s true immigration story from Korea to the United States. Their journey, and the cultural adjustments they had to make along the way, really stuck with me. I wanted to tell a story that not only honored that experience but also opened up conversations about identity, belonging, and the sacrifices people make in pursuit of opportunity.
What was your approach to the theme of the “American Dream” in this context?
Leslie: The American Dream has always been portrayed as an ideal – success, stability, freedom – but in reality, it’s a far more complicated concept. My approach was to show both the hope and the struggle. For some, the dream can feel within reach; for others, it can feel elusive, even alienating. In Parachutes, we look at that duality – the optimism of starting fresh and the emotional weight of leaving something behind.
What’s it like working in horror movies at a time where there’s a heightened popularity for the genre?
Leslie: It’s exciting, because horror right now isn’t just about scares, it’s about storytelling. The genre has evolved into a space where filmmakers can explore social commentary, cultural anxieties, and deeply personal themes, all while still delivering that visceral impact. Working in horror means being able to push creative boundaries, and audiences are more open than ever to layered, thought-provoking stories in this space.
Parachutes has a stellar cast; what was it like working with Sherry Cola and Monica Potter for the film?
Leslie: It was incredible. Sherry Cola brought such heart and humor to the project. She has this natural ability to balance emotional depth with levity. Monica Potter, on the other hand, brought a kind of grounded strength that really anchored the film. Both of them were so generous and collaborative, and they elevated the material in ways I couldn’t have imagined when writing.
What has the reaction/reception been like from your family, friends, and festival audiences who have seen the film so far?
Leslie: The response has been overwhelmingly positive, which means the world to me. Family and friends who know the personal inspiration behind the story have been especially moved. At festivals, audiences have really connected with the themes of cultural identity and belonging, even people who don’t share the same background find something deeply relatable in it. Winning Best Horror/Suspense at San Diego’s Comic Con International Film Festival was an incredible honor and validation of the story we set out to tell. It reassured me that these kinds of stories resonate far beyond just one community. At the end of the day, that’s why I make films, to create stories that stay with people long after the credits roll.
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For more information about Parachutes, check out the film’s website here.
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