Asian American Film: Reviews

San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 2003

05.06 - Posted by Editor

Spencer Nakasako's "Refugee" made its World Premiere as the Centerpiece Presentation at the SFIAAFF 2003

San Francisco International Film Festvial

March 6 - March 16, 2003

Review by Joan Huang

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05.06.03 -- Going to NAATA's annual SF International Asian American Film Festival has always been an adventure for me. The first time I went to SFIAFF was when I was an undergrad at UC Berkeley in 1998. It was the first time I had heard of, or been to an Asian American film festival, and I loved it. Somehow I had ended up convincing the directors of OBITS (a shorts collection about love and death, by Chris Chan Lee, Justin Lin, Rea Tajiri and Eric Nakamura) to agree to be trailed for a student documentary for three days at the NAATA film fest. We followed the filmmakers around constantly, asked lots of questions, learned how crappy sound sounded on a Hi8 camera in a noisy venue without a microphone, and talked our teacher into shooting a cameo.

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Click here for the official website of the SFIAAFF 2003

The first time I went to the fest in 1998, I was completely new to it. The second time I went in 2002, I was returning as the co-producer of the opening night film, BETTER LUCK TOMORROW. It had been a couple of crazy years. Everytime I go, I always watch something that speaks to me, that amazes me or makes me think, and always makes me wonder how come there isn't anything like it for mainstream audiences to see. In 1998, MY SECRET CACHE made me laugh out loud and KELLY LOVES TONY made me think about the complexities of relationships and the decisions that we make.

This year, I have a few favorites films/moments to highlight- catch them at the film festival near you if you can, and be sure to mark your calendars for next March, when NAATA brings back SFIAFF number 22!

- MY LIFE AS MCDULL (directed by Toe Yuen)
An animated film about a kid pig named McDull and his adventures with his friends and his mom. It sounds like a simple cartoon based on a popular children's book, but it's a very complex and bittersweet reflection of childhood in a semi-Wonder Years, semi-Miyazake result. The voice of McDull is captured so well by the creators and actor, that it triggers memories of childhood for all of us. There was one moment in particular, that somehow got all of us, and definitely shed a tear. At the very least, you'll walk out humming the catchy Bao (Pork Bun) song that is animated so humorously, (or if you're my co-worker Jimmy, singing it boisterously even one week later).

- 15 (directed by Royston Tan)
A short film about three teenage friends in Singapore who do everything and nothing. Beautifully shot, 15 leaves you thinking about its vibrant images, strong friendships, and the feelings of angst and hope of when you're a teenager. Also- the raps and mock videos that are interlaced between the scenes are pretty hilarious.

- Spotlight on Curtis Choy
A conversation with Curtis Choy who has been a filmmaker and sound recordist since the 70s, which was a fun, intimate look at his early films (angry, funny, honest, and still hold up) and excerpts from his doc in progress

- WHAT IS WRONG WITH FRANK CHIN. I had never been to a Q&A where the audience knows the answers just as well as the honoree- there was a lot of chiming in from friends who had come out to see and support Curtis- you got a feeling that there was a lot of love in the air.

- GOURMET BABY (directed by Sandi Tan)
Oh my goodness! Probably my favorite short of the festival. Everything about it, from the music, to the casting, to the timing, to the dialogue hit it dead on for me. Essentially, a story about a man who finds a dining partner with refined tastes as his in his 5 year old niece, but little girls grow up and want to eat french fries and hang out with boys their own age. I found it hilarious with the scenes of this little girl saying "mm, gorgonzola" and learning and being open to trying so many things. Do we lose the ability to be open-minded when we get older? Do we conform to society's table manners that say that older men need to find companions their own age?

- DIM SUM (directed by Jane Wong)
A funny, honest (or honestly funny) glimpse inside the lives of three Asian-British women through the conversations in a kitchen of dim-sum restaurant, and the exploration of their daily lives. Filmmaker Jane Wong shot DIM SUM as her graduate thesis project and navigated the unpredictable directions the conversations her mum and friends would have into a well-edited piece that lets us visit with them in the kitchen, in their homes, on their excursions and maybe a little bit into their hearts. In a way, it reminds me of when we remember that our parents are "human" too - that they have their own desires for freedom or happiness, perhaps they would have liked to have been independent without kids if they could do it again.

- Films I saw on the film fest circuit and were cheering for here (go see them!): Bang the Machine, Robot Stories, Charlotte Sometimes, East Side, Vision Test and How to do the Asian Squat.

- Films I didn't catch but will be sure to at the next few fest stops: Bend it Like Beckham, Long Life, Happiness, and Prosperity, Refugee, Chicken Rice War and Educated. I missed music video Asia which I hear Chi-Hui may bring back next year. Encore, encore!

Next stop, Chicago Asian American Showcase from April 4-13th, it'll be my first time to the festival. I'll be watching films, promoting BLT (in theaters April 11th!), and maybe jotting down notes for another festival diary!

So that's Joan's take on the festival. Beg to differ? Have any comments? Post your opinions below!

Comments

I am inquiring on how to reach the producer of the My Life as McDull movie.

Do you have contact information, email, or web address?

Thank you in advance, Chris

Posted by: chris kenji beer on September 16, 2003 02:12 PM

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