Last year, I covered the Asian Pacific Film Festival and it was one of the highlights of the season.
For this reason, I am looking forward to attending the opening night gala on April 30th (Thursday) at the Director's Guild.
The eclectic round of offerings this year include the well-crafted - "Children of Invention" - which will kick off a week of shorts, documentaries, and feature-length films.
Tickets are also being quickly snapped up for a handful of centerpiece screenings, too.
Treeless Mountain (May 2nd)
This touching film was directed by director - So Yong Kim - who has won coveted prizes work that has been well-received at past festivals.
Told through the view of six-year-old Jin, the movie is a haunting celluloid rendering.
"A beautiful story about childhood innocence and human endurance," according to the Festival organizers.
The director will be present for a Q & A after the screening.
Kazuo Hara: Book Tour (May 5th)
On the occasion of his West Coast book tour, renowned Japanese auteur Kazuo Hara will appear at the DGA to screen his controversial documentary:
"THE EMPEROR’S NAKED ARMY MARCHES"
This fascinating film follows 62-year-old veteran Kenzo Okuzaki in a lonely crusade to uncover the truth about the mysterious deaths of those who served with him in World War II and the war crimes perpetrated by Japan.
Filmmaker Kazuo Hara will be present to discuss the making of this thought-provoking film as well as his memoir (Camera Obtusa: Hara Kazuo’s Action Documentary Method) which is available in print now.
A book-signing is scheduled, so get ready to queue up!
This program was made possible with the assistance of Kaya Press and Tidepoint Pictures.
Networking Session (May 2nd)
At the stylish Network Lounge at the Asian Pacific Film Festival this year - furnished by Toyota - there will be an opportunity to mix & mingle with network representatives and learn about a career in TV during a six-hour daytime event.
Representatives from CBS, Fox, and NBC are slated to talk to festival-goers about exciting job opportunities in the television field.
KODAK PRESENTS "STOP BY. SHOOT FILM" (May 3rd)
In this two-hour workshop, film buffs will be shown how easy and fun it is to use motion picture film.
There will be an opportunity to chat up a top cinematographer, handle a 16mm camera and film, and shoot an independent movie!
Following the event, a DVD of each film enthusiast (and their project) will be gifted for a precious keepsake.
Gratis!
However, space is limited. So, sign up early.
Kodak is the sponsor for this unique industry event.
As usual, there will be a myriad of short films throughout the festival. Here is a sampling:
THE HUMBERVILLE POETRY SLAM (USA 2008)
A wannabe poet organizes a small-town poetry slam to build a team for a National Poetry Slam & finds his own talent challenged by homegrown local bards.
Dir.: Emily Chang, Daniel De Lorenzo; Video; 17 mins, Color, Narrative, English
BITE ME (USA, 2008)
Drake, a lonely accountant who doesn't have much luck with the ladies, tries his hand at Last-Minute-Mate Speed Dating.
As he wades through the pool of potential dates, Drake realizes that dating doesn't just suck, it bites.
Dir.: Jason Fong Video, 13 mins, Color, Narrative, English
TWO TRUE (Hong Kong, 2008-2009)
Two brothers — one, a London-schooled twenty-something due and the other an ebullient office worker impressed with his own overblown romantic prowess — come to an understanding about each other while on a lunch break.
Dir.: Wesley Chan Video, 5 mins, Color, Narrative, in English & Cantonese
WAH WAH (USA, 2008)
A young suburbanite learns the hard way the lessons of being water-wise in California.
Dir.: Ronald San Agustin Video, 8 mins, Color, Narrative, English
THE BALLAD OF MARCO REY (USA, 2009)
Marco Rey, a wildly popular singing sensation, suddenly withdraws from the scene with no apparent explanation. On the eve of his comeback, an entertainment reporter tries to find out the real truth behind Marco Rey.
Dir.: James Herr Video, 15 mins, Color, Narrative, English
BLUEBERRY (USA, 2009)
A lonely man with a little money seeks the companionship of a $73 hooker.
Hilarity ensues with he gets exactly what he asked for.
Dir.: David Lee Video, 5 mins, Color, Narrative, English
THE BOOK OF TOMORROW (USA, 2009)
A young boy escapes into the printed exploits of a comic book super hero as a means of escaping the realities of his existence in a dysfunctional suburban household. Strange things soon happen.
Dir.: David Yohe Video, 17 mins, Color, Narrative, English
That's it for now, folks! See 'ya there...
Info: http://www.vconline.org/festival/index.cfm
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