06.17 - 06.26 - Asian and Asian American films at the Los Angeles Film Festival

06.17 - Posted by Editor

From the APA First Weekend Club Newsletter:

THE LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL FEATURES ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN FILMMAKERS - JUNE 17 - 26 - MARK YOUR CALENDARS

It's that time again for one of LA's most outstanding film festivals. It's a great place to see films and network with many of today's emerging filmmakers, writers, actors, producers and other film industry insiders. So, don't miss it. Log on to www.lafilmfest.com for a complete schedule of films, parties, special events, and special guests.

MIRA NAIR is this year's GUEST DIRECTOR and she has chosen some of her favorite films to be shown at the LAFF!

Asian American films and Asian international filmmakers will make their mark at the festival including the following films:

A HARD STRAIGHT - compelling documentary from GORO TOSHIMA - Oakland based filmmaker brings a gritty story of 3 ex-cons trying to make it on the outside. Heart wrenching and insightful. Don't miss this one - JUNE 22 AND JUNE 25

AFTER THE APOCALYPSE - Feature debut from YASUAKI NAKAJIMA - New York based filmmaker kicks ass with this film that takes place in the near future somewhere - with five survivors of the Third World War. June 21 and June 24 Info on the director - YASUAKI NAKAJIMA was born in Hokkaido, Japan. Shooting a short claymation film with second-hand Super-8 mm film camera in his apartment at night while working during the day as a highrise window cleaner. In 1994, he hitchhiked all around Australia filming his 6-month experience in the desert. He moved to New York in 1996 to join the independent film community. JUNE 21 AND JUNE 24

GOODBYE, DRAGON INN - Critically acclaimed film from Taiwan's most cutting edge filmmaker TSAI MING-LIANG (THE RIVER; THE HOLE; WHAT TIME IS IT THERE) - Don't miss this one! JUNE 18 only!

HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE - Sneak preview of the JOHN CHO/KAL PENN crazy film opening this summer. Yes, two Asian American male leads in a mainstream studio release from Hollywood - being touted as "starring the Asian guy from American Pie, the Indian dude from Van Wilder from the white guy who directed Dude Where's My Car?" It's worth taking a look at! June 18 also - but will open nationwide July 30 (mark your calendars!!)

HERO - from ZHANG YMOU - what can we say? This has to be one of the most beautiful films ever! And they are screening this masterpiece outside at the John Anson Ford Theatre - JET LI, MAGGIE CHEUNG, TONY LEUNG, ZHANG ZI YI, DONNIE YEN are all outstanding! Yes, everyone has the VCD from Chinatown - but seeing this masterpiece on the big screen will take your breath away. June 18 at the Anson Ford Theater - outdoors. Note: HERO will be released in theaters in July from Miramax if they don't move the release date back again. Check it!

IMELDA - WINNER OF THE SUNDANCE 2004 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD FOR FERNE PEARLSTEIN
Acclaimed documentary about former first lady of the Philippines IMELDA MARCOS as told by Mrs. MARCOS. The film covers her entire life from birth to her rise as wife of President Ferdinand Marcos to her exhile in Hawaii to now where she remains still a very influential woman of the world. June 21 and June 22.

INVISIBLE LIGHT - Feature film debut from emerging artist GINA KIM. Story revolves around two women on two dfifferent continents who share who share the same man. Lyrical, hypnotic, and complex insight into two lives that have been influenced by one decision. June 22 and June 23.

JU-ON: THE GRUDGE - from Japanese director SHIMIZU TAKASHI. ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOVIES EVER - CAUTION: DON'T SEE THIS MOVIE ALONE - There will probably be a US remake of this scary ass film. In short: every neighborhood has that one house where strange things have gone on - and this one is no exception! Again, don't go alone. Lions Gate will release this film later this summer or early September. June 24!

SOUTH OF THE CLOUDS - Critically acclaimed film from Chinese director Zhu Wen. Story follows a widower/retiree who wants to travel to Yunnan province in southwest china - his kids don't know why and the man offers little explanation except to follow his dream. June 18 and June 19

UNTOLD SCANDAL - Acclaimed film from Korean director E J-yong - Remember the film and book DANGEROUS LIAISONS or Les Liaisons Dangereuse? This time it's set in 18th century Korea where Confucial ideals rules the behavior of a society on the brink of change. June 18 and June 20

VIBRATOR - A new wave of Japanese cinema has recently been re-energized - and this one from RYUICHI HIROKI is at the head of the pack. Inner voices and thoughts plauge this attractive freelance writer REI - who runs into blonde trucker TAKATOSHI and the two take off to find their lives. June 23 and June 25.

UP FOR GRABS - while not a film by an Asian filmmaker - the center character is an Asian American man caught up in reality! - This entertaining documentary follows the controversy of the baseball that SF GIANTS Barry Bonds hit when he slammed his 73rd home run on October 7. Fan Patrick Hayashi came up with the ball after a huge crush of folks fought over the legendary baseball - however, only to be challenged by another fan and future publicity hog Alex Popov, who claimed he was the owner of the ball before it get knocked out of his hand. Sounds like grade school? It's real life and here it's non fiction reel life. Check this out June 18 and June 20.

Short filmmakers include:

Dennis Lee's award winning JESUS H. CHRIST
Karen Lin's award winning PERFECTION
Sinyun Won's BREAD AND MILK
Taika Waititi's beautiful TWO CARS ONE NIGHT
Ed Chen and Mahyar Abousaeedi's FREE RADICALS
Saar Klein's NOUVEAU RICHE NO. 11 and NOUVEAU RICHE #34
Grace Lee's excellent BEST OF THE WURST

Check the schedule for the timing of these short films - Some are before features and others are in the shorts programs.

OTHER EVENTS NOT TO MISS AT LAFF

"RAP SESSION WITH HOLLYWOOD'S TOP EXECUTIVES OF COLOR" - june 18 - 4:30 PM - Could be a good place to network
Meet:
Adrienne Bowles - Focus Features
Devon Franklin - MGM
Peter Kang - 20th Century Fox
Susan Lewis - MTV FILMS/PARAMOUNT
Zola Mashariki - Fox Searchlight
Vanessa Morrison - 20th Century Fox

DIVERSITY EXPO - June 18 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - definitely a good place to network

Log on to www.lafilmfest.com for more info and tickets.