Donut King (2020) AAIFF 2020

Portrait of Ted Ngoy, the donut king of Los Angeles. Ngoy came from Cambodia in the 1970's and fell in love with donuts. He then opened a shop and promptly began to change LA forever. He brought over hundred of his fellow Cambodians who trained with him and then opened their own shops making it so 90% of the shops in the city are owned by Cambodians and Dunkin Donuts had to give up trying to break into the market.

Solid look at one man who represents the immigrant work ethic in America. If you want to see how most immigrants bust their asses when they come to the US just watch the people in this film as they strive to make the American Dream their own. In an age when so many people who hold a failed bankrupt business man as a hero it is nice to see a man who actually can earn a living.

Ultimately what hooks us is Ngoy himself. A gregarious soul with one hell of a tale, we end up watching not only because we like him, but more importantly we can't believe how his story goes. Its a hell of a story that has a lot of things to ponder.

Recommended.

Aswang (2019) AAIFF 2020

 

Hard hitting look at what President Rodrigo Duterte  is doing in the Philippines is effecting the people in his country. I’ve been watching a lot of films on the madness, and still this film rocked me.  For give me but sitting and watching a bunch of unsupervised kids trying to get along because their parents are either dead or locked up because they are drug users is incredibly sad.

Duterte clearly doesn’t give a shit, which is so sad.  His country has become a killing field where small fish die and the drug kingpins remain untouched protected by money and connections. Listening to everyone talk it’s clear that everyone who has been touched by violence is afraid and that the police are essential seen as murderers. They are causing the disorder they are claiming to want to stop.

My heart broke.

If you’ve seen other films on the Philippines you will have no doubt seen some of this and some of the people  (Orly Fernandez the subject of the excellent THE MORTICIAN OF MANILA appears) however you have not seen it presented like this. This is a street level view of things and it is the most human, most real film on the subject I’ve seen.

An absolute must.

Take Out Girl (2020) AAIFF 2020

 

In order to save her parents failing Chinese restaurant a young Chinese woman decides to piggyback drug deliveries on to her food deliveries. It all goes wrong.

As based on a true story this is a solid little drama about the things we do to survive and how that sometimes is the wrong thing to do. It clearly explains why people want to get the hell out of dodge at any cost.

I was glued to the film for it's entire running time. Once things were set in motion I was so hooked that I didn't want to get up and get a snack lest I missed something. Considering I was watching the film a streaming screener and I could stop the film that is saying a great deal.

If there is anything wrong with the film it lies with Hedy Wong. I'm not certain who made the choice, the idea of having her be restrained and often monotone in her delivery for much of the film works against things. Yes, we know it is a kind of shield against the world but at the same time it prevents us from truly connecting to the character the way we should.

Quibble aside this is a super little drama and it is recommended when it plays at AAIFF.

The Asian American International FIlm Festival starts Thursday and runs until the 11th

The always excellent Asian American International Film Festival starts Thursday bringing its wonderful films to us. For over 40 year the festival has highlighted some of the best Asian American and Asian films around.  While they are not as big and flashy as some other festivals they have never failed to deliver the goods .In this age of Covid when so many festivals are faltering or needing to skip a year AAIFF has collected an excellent  group of films to share with you.

I know the films are excellent because I've seen a number of them. Some, like the list below we've covered previously. Others the festival  allowed me to see before hand. All are worth your time 

Because I've covered so many other fests I ran into some of the AAIFF selections previously. Here are the films I've covered:

MRS NOISY
THE PAPER TIGERS
(And this is my interview with Bao Tran the director)
THOUSAND CUTS
CODED BIAS

This week I will be running a number of reviews closer to the start the festival.(Almost all the films are available to screen starting Thursday and all through the festival)

I was allowed access to two films playing AAIFF on the condition that I only briefly mention the films now and review them later on down the line when they get a full on release to theaters or VOD.

In MONSOON a Vietnamese man from England (he fled with his family when he was six) returns to the country of his birth in order  return his parents ashes. Along the way he contemplates his past and his future. Much deeper and satisfying than I just made it sound, MONSOON is a film of small moments and big characters. It is a film that will stay around in your head for days after you see it. It is recommended.

TWILIGHT'S KISS (aka SUK SUK) is about two older closeted gay men who meet and begin an affair in Hong Kong. It is a lovely little film about the perils of growing old and the realization that no matter how old we get we often are always struggling to be who we are inside. If you want to see a small gem it is recommended.

I now leave it up to you to go to the AAIFF website, search their film and special event list and buy some tickets. Trust me, it is all good so you won't be disappointed.

Full Lineup Announced! - 43rd Asian American International Film Festival

 SEPTEMBER 22, 2020, NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Presented by Asian CineVision, the 43rd Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF43) is announcing their full lineup, which in addition to the previously announced feature films includes 14 short film blocks and over 16 workshops, masterclasses, and special events. Tickets can be purchased or reserved at https://www.aaiff.org/. 

Every day of the festival will feature over 3 hours of live-streamed panels, Q&As, and performances, all accessible as pay-as-you-wish programs. Highlights include a conversation with director Andrew Ahn and the cast of DRIVEWAYS, and a Filipino Filmmaker Roundtable to kick-off Filipino American History Month. The festival also introduces a two-part conversational series on the urgent issue of anti-racism in storytelling - Anti-Racism: Storytelling in Education and Awareness and Online Activism Campaigns. The complete lineup of events is available at https://www.aaiff.org/events/. 

Two special events celebrating the various forms of storytelling make a return this year. Music Night Out interweaves musical performances and our official music video selection to highlight the collaboration of API musicians and filmmakers, while Comedy Night offers performances by top API stand-up and sketch comedians.

JURORS 

Our nine jury prize award winners will be determined by a lineup of leading industry professionals, including actor/producer Sung Kang (FAST AND FURIOUS), actress Rosalind Chao (STAR TREK, MULAN), director/writer Jeff Chan (PLUS ONE), producer Karin Chien (dGenerate Films), filmmaker Bao Nguyen (BE WATER), filmmaker PJ Raval (CALL HER GANDA), editor Faroukh Virani (HUNTERS), actress and host Sherry Cola (GOOD TROUBLE), actor/producer Vinny Chhibber (THE RED LINE), Third World Newsreel Executive Director and filmmaker JT Takagi (AMERICAN MASTERS), Bravo Digital Media EVP Lisa Hsia, director/producer Smriti Mundhra (INDIAN MATCHMAKING), Universal Kids coordinatorSam Cheung, screenwriter Jay Vaida (THE HARDY BOYS), producer Cecilia Mejia (YELLOW ROSE), filmmaker/visual artist Maggie Jung, Goldthread Editor Gavin Huang, actor/YouTuber Mike Bow (THE MAZE RUNNER), writer/director Kevin Lau (WESTWORLD), actor Chase Tang (JUPITER’S LEGACY), CAPE Executive Director Michelle Sugihara, musician Bohan Phoenix, rapper and activist Jason Chu, director Marie Jamora (FAMILY STYLE), and The Song Collective. 

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 

72 HOUR SHOOTOUT TOP TEN SELECTION 

Directed by Asian American Film Lab - U.S., South Korea - English 

The 72 Hour Film Shootout is a worldwide competition in which filmmakers have 72 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film. The projects in the Top Ten Selection are based on the theme “Going Viral” and the mystery prop “Toilet Paper.”

CUNY SHORTS SHOWCASE 

43rd Asian American International Film Festival Announces Feature Lineup

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020, NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Presented by Asian CineVision, the 43rd Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF43) has announced its feature film lineup. The festival will take place completely online for the very first time, from October 1st - October 11th.

Most of the titles are available for the audiences in the US and Canada to view on-demand within a 48-hour window unless noted otherwise. The remaining lineup, which includes the short films, panels, masterclasses, and events, will be announced by the end of September. Through the program this year, AAIFF continues its efforts to bring communities together, motivate civic engagement, and activate change. Within the total of 17 titles, the feature lineup highlights 10 women-directed films and 9 first or second features from emerging directors. Additionally, the feature lineup consists of 2 special presentations, 9 international films, 2 World premieres, 5 East Coast premieres, and 2 New York City premieres.

Gold Passes are now on sale for $100, a $150 value, and grants priority admission to all AAIFF43 programs, access to exclusive VIP virtual events, and discounted Gold Pass pricing for next year's festival. Individual tickets are $10 each, Household tickets are $15, while 3-tickets
and 5-tickets packages are also available at https://www.aaiff.org/ .

As the first and longest running Asian American film festival in the country that continues to support and empower the AAPI community, AAIFF43 will also present a virtual Pop-Up Market, featuring curated products from local and small businesses by Asian diaspora and BIPOC artisans impacted by COVID-19.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

43rd Asian American International Film Festival Goes Online on October 1-11

AUGUST 24, 2020, NEW YORK – The 43rd Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF43), presented by Asian CineVision, will take place online on October 1-11 at
https://www.aaiff.org/. The Limited Early Bird Gold Pass is currently on sale with limited quantity,
featuring priority admission to all screenings and exclusive virtual events with filmmakers and
industry professionals.

As a result of this unprecedented year, AAIFF43 will be the first edition to be hosted entirely
online to explore new and accessible ways to celebrate the power of cinema. As the first and
longest running Asian American film festival in the United States, AAIFF will continue its tradition
to serve as a platform to honor and support the community of Asian American and Pacific
Islander filmmakers and their stories.

The lineup of AAIFF43 will include 15+ feature films, special presentations, and 10+ shorts
blocks, which will be announced starting in early September. There will be 8 award categories,
with award winners receiving Final Draft software licenses. The festival will also include over 30
hours of livestream programming, 20+ Q&As, and 5+ panels and events. With Elevent as the
ticketing partner and Cinesend as the exhibition platform, audiences in the US and Canada will
be able to watch most of the titles on-demand with a 48-hour viewing window after they click
play right from their home. The panels, workshops, Q&As, and performances will be
livestreamed to the public on Facebook and Twitch.

Additionally, this year's festival will present a virtual Pop-Up Market, featuring curated products
from local and small businesses by Asian diaspora and BIPOC artisans impacted by COVID-19.
The Gold Pass grants priority admission to all AAIFF43 programs, access to exclusive VIP
virtual events, and discounted Gold Pass pricing for next year's festival. With a $150 value, the
Gold Pass is currently on sale for $80 with limited quantity at https://www.aaiff.org/.
Follow Asian CineVision on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aaiff), Twitch
(https://www.twitch.tv/asiancinevision), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/asiancinevision) to receive up-to-date news and view the
livestream programming.

About the Asian American International Film Festival
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), presented by Asian CineVision, is the
first and longest running festival in the country devoted to films by and about Asians and Asian
Americans.

About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a media arts nonprofit devoted to the development, exhibition,
promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American experiences through storytelling. Our
mission is to nurture and grow the community of makers and lovers of independent diasporic
Asian film, television, and digital.

Thank You
The 43rd Asian American International Film Festival is made possible by support from the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Friends of ACV.