Of all the films previewing at the Asian Pacific Film Festival this year, "Children of Invention" was probably the most polished feature (with the exception of Oscar-winning "Departures") to grace the screen.
Understandably, the "little feature that could", nabbed the prestigious Grand Prize Jury Award at the 25th Annual Asian Pacific Film Festival this past week.
The cautionary tale about pyramid schemes - inspired by director Tze Chun's own real-life experiences as a child under his mother's wing - is perfect in many respects.
The script, for instance, was well-written.
And, the direction by Chun, adept and insightful.
But, it is Micheal Chen and Crystal Chiu who steal the "show" out-from-under everyone, by virtue of their intelligent seamless performances that resonate with truth throughout the film.
In the opening scenes, the audience is introduced to a young mother forced to raise two children on her own, without ample means.
In a bold-faced effort to rustle up quick funds to feather the family nest, the desperate Mother (Cindy Cheung) falls victim to a ring of pyramid scammers.
When "Elaine" is arrested on suspicion of being in thick with the thieves, and unable to inform the authorities about her children at home alone for fear they'll be turned over to child services, Raymond and Tina are left to fend for themselves.Raymond, a bright adventurous boy, hatches a plan.
He convinces his young sister to trek downtown to a Boston bank to withdraw funds from an account designated for their college tuition so that they can start up a small business selling items crafted from their own hands.
Hence, the title, "Children of Invention".
After a few harrowing days, and the intervention of authorities, the mother and her children are reunited.
In one touching moment, when she breaks down and cries, Raymond is under the mistaken impression that she is upset with him.
"No, I'm not mad at you, " she assures him.
"It's me. I haven't been a good mother."
The tears heal in that powerful on-screen moment.
I was impressed with the cinematography - and also - the uplifting soundtrack.
On occasion, when I was swept up in the emotion of a scene, I'd realize later that it was a few strains of subtle - but strategically-placed music - that were the undercurrents that buoyed me up.
"We were about half-way through production when I suddenly realized we were going to need music. I didn't want to have a hassle over rights to songs, so I hired a composer to pen the score," Tze noted to the packed house at the Director's Guild last week.
Composer T. Griffin (who took up the task) is an accomplished musician well-known in music circles.
His band (The Quavers) has released four critically-acclaimed CD's featuring a brand of unique musical stylings that some have astutely labelled "porch techno".
The illustrious Griffin penned scores for "New Orleans, Mon Amour", the Slamdance Award-winning film "My Mother's Garden", and "Prodigal Sons" (which was a hit at Telluride)
Chun has not landed distribution for "Children of Invention", but he has not let that little stumbling block deter him from getting his project out into the mainstream for consumption.
In fact, Chun has taken a novel approach to the distribution of his film in a competitive marketplace rife with other Independents seeking to grab the same brass ring.
For starters, his creative team has been using the Festival Circuit to get the word out -and likewise - throw the spotlight on "Children of Invention".
I can attest to that fact.
I first crossed paths with Tze when he screened "Children" at AFI Dallas a few weeks ago.
Then, I bumped into the aggressive little filmmaker a couple of weeks later at the 10th annual Newport Beach Festival (where it was also well-received).
On each occasion, conflicts prevented me from viewing the little gem, until the director showed up on the doorstep of the annual Asian Pacific Film Festival at the Director's Guild last week.
Bingo!
I was able to catch the flick and establish "in the flesh" (so to speak) that all the buzz was not just hype or overkill.
On the heels of the screenings, his team of "believers" have not had any qualms about flogging the DVD's at the theatre door, either.
If film buffs are short of cash that day, or are anxious to purchase additional copies for friends or family members, they are directed to a web site where they can purchase the DVD's online at reasonable cost.
"At the end of the year I plan to publish 'my model' so other filmmakers may benefit from the experience."
Well, you know what they say.
"Necessity is the motherhood of invention."
There's that word again, invention.
As to "inventory"?
If things continue as they have been, I doubt there will be any stock left, so snatch up a DVD fast while you can.
The tears heal in that powerful on-screen moment.
I was impressed with the cinematography - and also - the uplifting soundtrack.
On occasion, when I was swept up in the emotion of a scene, I'd realize later that it was a few strains of subtle - but strategically-placed music - that were the undercurrents that buoyed me up.
"We were about half-way through production when I suddenly realized we were going to need music. I didn't want to have a hassle over rights to songs, so I hired a composer to pen the score," Tze noted to the packed house at the Director's Guild last week.Composer T. Griffin (who took up the task) is an accomplished musician well-known in music circles.
His band (The Quavers) has released four critically-acclaimed CD's featuring a brand of unique musical stylings that some have astutely labelled "porch techno".
The illustrious Griffin penned scores for "New Orleans, Mon Amour", the Slamdance Award-winning film "My Mother's Garden", and "Prodigal Sons" (which was a hit at Telluride)
Chun has not landed distribution for "Children of Invention", but he has not let that little stumbling block deter him from getting his project out into the mainstream for consumption.
In fact, Chun has taken a novel approach to the distribution of his film in a competitive marketplace rife with other Independents seeking to grab the same brass ring.
For starters, his creative team has been using the Festival Circuit to get the word out -and likewise - throw the spotlight on "Children of Invention".
I can attest to that fact.
I first crossed paths with Tze when he screened "Children" at AFI Dallas a few weeks ago.
Then, I bumped into the aggressive little filmmaker a couple of weeks later at the 10th annual Newport Beach Festival (where it was also well-received).
On each occasion, conflicts prevented me from viewing the little gem, until the director showed up on the doorstep of the annual Asian Pacific Film Festival at the Director's Guild last week.
Bingo!
I was able to catch the flick and establish "in the flesh" (so to speak) that all the buzz was not just hype or overkill.
On the heels of the screenings, his team of "believers" have not had any qualms about flogging the DVD's at the theatre door, either.
If film buffs are short of cash that day, or are anxious to purchase additional copies for friends or family members, they are directed to a web site where they can purchase the DVD's online at reasonable cost.
"At the end of the year I plan to publish 'my model' so other filmmakers may benefit from the experience."
Well, you know what they say.
"Necessity is the motherhood of invention."
There's that word again, invention.
As to "inventory"?
If things continue as they have been, I doubt there will be any stock left, so snatch up a DVD fast while you can.
The Quavers
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