Director Lee Isaac Chung Draws from Personal Experience for "Twisters"

Lee Isaac Chung, the director of the highly anticipated sequel "Twisters," has a personal connection to tornadoes that shaped his vision for the film. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Chung recounted a traumatic encounter with a tornado shortly after his Korean American family relocated to a trailer on a farm in Arkansas. He vividly remembers his father's instructions to seek shelter in a low area if a tornado approached, a moment that left a lasting impression on him. Chung's affinity for the original 1996 film "Twister" was sparked by his own experiences growing up in the Midwest. He expressed that the film resonated deeply with him, as it depicted landscapes and scenarios reminiscent of his childhood in Oklahoma. "The original 'Twister' meant a great deal to me because I was watching a film that took place around where I grew up," he shared in an interview with NBC Inside. This connection to the terrain influenced his decision to film "Twisters" in Oklahoma rather than Atlanta. The sequel, which debuted to impressive box office numbers of $80.5 million, has been described as "perfect summer entertainment." David A. Gross, a movie consultant, noted that while the film revisits familiar themes of chaos and disaster, advancements in special effects and set pieces elevate the spectacle. Chung's personal narrative and dedication to authenticity have contributed to the film's appeal, bridging his past with a contemporary cinematic experience.