I recently saw TIBET IN SONG at the Lumiere. It plays until 11/18 at the Lumiere, and I highly recommend it. (There will be a DVD release next February.) Filmmaker Ngawang Choephel traveled to Tibet in the late 90’s to document folk music.
This SFIAFF, there were two outstanding movies related to adoption. I sat down with Deann Borshay Liem (IN THE MATTER OF CHA JUNG HEE) and Stephanie Wang-Breal (WO AI NI MOMMY) for an hourlong conversation during the festival.
Beautiful memories stand out from a perfect weekend full of memorable films, friends, and events.
Like a fetus in a womb, I’ve been snuggled into my stadium seat in a dark Kabuki theater. Absorbing, reflecting, enjoying. This festival does nurture me and many others, as does its parent organization, CAAM. SFIAAFF brings the life of Asia and Asian America to you through the powerful umbilical cord of film.
It’s three days and 20 films since I last wrote (11 shorts and 9 features). And indeed, because of the inclement weather, the main light I’ve been getting has been the reflection from the silver screen.
The honeybees got the red carpet treatment last night, homing in on the familiar sweetness of the 27th Annual SFIAAFF. From all points of the Bay, from cities across North America and Asia, we tasted and toasted the opening of our favorite event on any continent. Ladies superbly adorned, gentlemen looking the part – the hive was buzzing, and the buzz was good.
During the 2008 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, I sat down with director Gina Kim to discuss her latest film, NEVER FOREVER, which is currently playing in San Francisco at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas.
Seeing only two movies in two days might put a Superfan into withdrawals, but when they’re as good as THE HOME SONG STORIES and AMAL, you feel like you’re getting your full dose.
A GENTLE BREEZE IN THE VILLAGE was the most warm, pleasant two hours I could have ever asked for. I do have to say it “Turrelled” me, but in the most welcome way possible. It Turrelled my heart.
If world journey is a theme of the festival, time travel was the motif of this weekend at the SFIAAFF.
“So it begins!” said my friend Chihiro. The 26th annual SFIAAFF has been launched, and we’re on board for a fantastic ride. An incredible journey awaits.
Mao is a great example of the continuity of the “ars poetica,” and is part of what might someday be seen as a renaissance of young Asian American poets, including such stars as Ocean Vuong, Cathy Linh Che, Jenny Xie, Bao Phi, and others.