Indemnity (2021) Fantasia 2021

 

A fireman with memory problems and guilt over deaths in a fire gets drawn into a cat and mouse game involving a hacked company and stolen information.

Disappointing action thriller is done in by a slack pacing. The film is hobbled from the start when  an opening chase isn't as brisk as it should be. This film should grab you with curiosity and quick editing  to pull us a long. We shouldn't think about what we are seeing. Instead the  film uses shots that are longer than than they should be so we are working out what is going on and what the next shot or three are going to be.  

I never connected to any of this. 

...which is actually kind of sad since in better hands this could have been a brisk action thriller.

A Rifle and a Bag (2021) AAIFF 2021

The Naxalites are a Maoist rebel group in India fighting for their tribal rights. The Indian government sees them as a threat. In the hope of ending the rebellion the government has offered to pay the rebels to surrender. Somi and her husband surrender hoping to stat a better life.

Going into this film I knew nothing about the Naxalites. The festival write up made me curious. 

 Watching the film I was left pondering a lot of things., What it means to need to rebel, what it means change your way of life and how do you reconcile you old and new lives. The questions didn't come in big moments but after considered sequences where you mind ponders what you've seen.

I liked the way this film made me think. I love that I wanted to lean in and consider what I was seeing instead of being spoon fed. It was great not to have everything given to me.

If you want to see something  about an aspect of life you probably don't know but will cause you to think about everything you know, this film is recommended.

MICKEY ON THE ROAD (2021) AAIFF 2021

 

Mickey and Gin Gin decide to head off on the road to meet Gin’s boyfriend in China  while at the same time trying to track down Mickey’s parents who gave her up years before.

This is a moving road movie that nicely mixes humor with darkness. This is not a singing and dancing road film that is all one thing or another, it is instead like life, a mix of everything. I was moved by the films ebb and flow.

Best of all there are numerous moments that are going to stay with me for one reason or another. A scene of girls pole dancing on top of cars driving through a street is just a visual delight. The scenes of the women stealing food and drink of a shrine made me smile. Some of the later sequences with Mickey facing hard truths haunted my dreams with their echoes of family meetings I attended.

This is a special film and the sort of story that I love to discover at AAIFF.

Highly recommended

Snakehead (2021) AAIFF 2021 and NYAFF 2021

 

Sister Tse comes returns from Taiwan via a snakehead, a person who can get someone into the country illegally.  Tse isn't looking for the American dream, he is looking to find and reconnect with her daughter. Her refusal to not go along with the deal that brought her over puts her in conflict with the organization that wants its money.

Excellent drama/thriller is a tactile viewing experience. Watching the film I could feel the locations na physical way. For example rarely has New York's Chinatown ever felt right.

This is filmmaking at the highest level. This s a film that is so god it had me stopping it and rewatchng sections not just because I wanted to see the scene again, but because I wanted to see how the scene wa ut together. I am in love with the craft of this film.

I can't say enough  about this film - however I will keep it short and just say see this film.

SNAKEHEAD world premieres at AAIFF August 11 and plays NYAFF on August 22

Father (2021) AAIFF 2021

 

I am going to be brief in what I say about this film because it kicked up a lot stuff for me. I stuck it out but this films echoes into my own life made this film an emotional rollercoaster since I am still dealing with fallout of my father’s passing a year ago.

Father is Den wei’s portrait of Zuogui an aging father, His son Donggu is property developer he doesn’t much care for.  Blind since childhood he goes through his life, telling fortunes. When Donggu has financial problems the chance to reconcile arrives.

It’s a tough watch as we watch the ups and downs of his life. We see the clashes of family up close and personal in an unflinching way. Very quickly we are made to feel as family.

So much of this film hit home for me. Little bits and pieces echoed around in my head as I replayed conversations of the last couple of years.. I was rocked. A late in the film where Zougi told his son to show the film at his funeral and maybe he would cry hit me like a ton of bricks.

This is a great film and a vivid portrait of life as lived by some of us.

Highly recommended when it plays AAIFF

Inbetween Girl (2021) AAIFF 2021

 

INBETWEEN GIRL is a sweet little film. In some ways it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but at the same time the shading makes it worth seeing.

The plot of the film has high schooler Angie trying to get through high school. Because she is the only Asian in the school she is the otherwise white school’s effort at diversity. When her parents divorce she becomes slightly untethered misbehaving and having secret hook ups with Liam, who she sweats he doesn't like.

Lest you think this is a heavy drama, it’s not. This is a good time with good people. We pretty much like everyone we see.  Over the course of the film we see that everyone isn’t perfect nor one note. There is range to everyone. I say that as high praise since too often similar films the characters are not well rounded. To be certain most don’t arc. Here there are little arcs  for a number of people.  I appreciate that the filmmakers actually took the time to do that since it lifts the whole film up to be something other than run of the mill.

I had really good time watching this. Normally this sort of film isn’t my cup of tea but because AAIFF is so well programed I decided to go for a film that was out of my comfort zone because they programmed it. I’m glad they did.

Recommended.

AAIFF 2021 Curtain Raiser

The great Asian American International Film Festival starts Wednesday and based on what I've seen this is another magnificent year. That means they have pretty much have a near perfect record of 44 festivals. I've been covering the festival since I started Unseen Films and enjoyed the hell out of it every year.

AAIFF is actually one of the best fests you will run across. It a beautifully programmed fest that has some of the best films from all of Asia mixed with the best works from Asian Americans. I say this because unlike other Asian oriented festivals AAIFF will dip into the works of South Asian countries and other lesser represented countries.

And lest you wonder about the films they program they are all top shelf ones with their opening night film, the "kill to get a ticket it's so good" thriller SNAKEHEAD programmed to play next at the Toronto Film Festival.  What this means is go see the film at the festival so you can talk to your fiends about it before it rocks the pillars of heaven when it plays Toronto. My review will run in a day or so- but you do need to see it, more so if you've ever been in New York's Chinatown. I say that because the film has a tactile quality to it that will make you flashback to being there.

And lest you think you can't experience AAIFF because you're not in NYC, the fest is hybrid with some films screening on line. (Buy tickets here).

To help you decide what to see here are some links to the films we've previously reviewed. All of them are worth tying - with TAIPEI SUICIDE STORY being ne of the best film I've seen in 2021

SEE YOU THEN
TAIPEI SUICIDE STORY
CANE FIRE
WHUHAN WUHAN
LEARNING TAGALOG WITH KAYLA
LAST FERRY FROM GASS ISLAND and my interview with the director
AMERICANISH
WAKIKI

Reviews will start to drop shortly- so for now just go here and pick out some titles to see- odds are you will not be disappointed.

Waikiki (2021) Bentonville Film Festival 2021 AAIFF 2021

 Dark, almost film noirish film about a dancer living in a van who runs over a homeless guy and has her life turned upside down.

Heady examination of life in Hawaii, the clash of cultures, history and life itself, WAIKIKI is a dark ride to the subconscious. This is one of those films that grabs you and drags you along a dark and unpleasant road and forces you to consider much of what you know.  

I really liked this film a great deal. The point where I realized just how good the film was in it' use of "happy" dancers dancing for tourists which is counterpointed with the miserable life f the dancers themselves. Where the notion of culture being mined for money has been used in a couple of other recent Hawaii set films and TV shows, this was the first time where it felt right and on target. I say this because the notion is kind of an easy point to make and the other films used it lazily, however WAKIKI actually builds off of the notion to say more. It is also the only one that uses it while remaining wholly focused on Hawaiians.

While not for everyone, WAKIKI is a kick for those who are willing to go with and work with its view of the world. 

Americanish (2021) Bentonville Film Festival 2021 AAIFF 2021 NYAFF2021

Three Pakistani women, two sisters and their cousin go through their paces in Jackson Heights Queens as they try to have careers and find love.

I am not going to lie and say AMERICANISH reinvents the wheel. It doesn't. I'm also not going to lie and say there are any surprises here. There are not. What I will say is that this film is incredibly entertaining. Some times you just need to be entertained.

Forgive me I don't have a lot to say beyond that. Some films, the better films don't need more than that. This is one of those films, you know the type, where you just press it into someone's hands and say watch this. And if they are smart, they do, again and again because you just need to see these people on the screen.

I had a blast watching this.

Recommended for anyone wanting a film that will just entertain you.

44th Asian American International Film Festival to Open with New York Premiere of SNAKEHEAD

 Exclusive In-Person Screening and Reception with Safety Protocols, Early Bird Gold and Cine Pass on Sale Now

July 19, 2021, NEW YORK – The 44th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF44) will kick off on Aug. 11 with the New York City premiere of its Opening Night film SNAKEHEAD by Evan Jackson Leong, with an exclusive in-person screening. The festival will take place from Aug. 11-22. Combining in-person events and online programs, AAIFF44 will be a hybrid festival. Early Bird Gold and Cine Pass are currently on sale at https://www.aaiff.org/ with limited-time pricing that ends on Aug. 4. 

Based on a true story and featuring a New York-based cast, SNAKEHEAD centers on Sister Tse (Shuya Chang) and her attempt to survive in New York’s Chinatown as an immigrant while she gets caught up in an international crime ring of human smuggling. 

The in-person Opening Night Screening of SNAKEHEAD will take place on Aug. 11 at Regal Essex Crossing & RPX in New York City with cast and crew attending 

An exclusive reception at Sour Mouse NYC will follow the screening right after with safety protocols in mind

The film will then be available online from Aug. 12-14 on CineSend, the official online screening platform of AAIFF44

Tickets for both the in-person Opening Night screening and the online screening are now available at https://www.aaiff.org/aaiff44/snakehead-opening-night.

Tickets to SNAKEHEAD and all other programs and events are now available: 

The Early Bird Gold Pass grants admission to all in-person events and access to all online programs at $175

The Early Bird Cine Pass offers access to all online programs at $90

The Early Bird Promotion ends Aug. 4, after which Gold Pass and Cine Pass will be sold at $250 and $150 for Regular Prices 

“We are so excited to return to New York City to celebrate the magic of cinema together again. With new categories and awards this year, we can’t wait to meet everyone in-person!” said Festival Director Kayla Wong.

AAIFF continues to partner with the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment this year to highlight New York City-produced films.

“We are proud to support the 44th annual Asian American International Film Festival, especially in these times when Asian and Asian American voices need to be heard,” said the Mayor's Office Media Entertainment Commissioner, Anne del Castillo. “The films and programs featured in this year’s lineup shine a light on stories that represent the rich diversity of our AAPI community.”

More in-person events and the full lineup of AAIFF44 will be announced by the end of July. 

About the Asian American International Film Festival

The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as "The First Home to Asian American Cinema." Organized by Asian CineVision, it's the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian-American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world. 

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 Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.

Films submitted and screened at the festival are eligible to participate in our National Tour program, bringing Asian diaspora stories to broader audiences across North America through a rental service for cultural and educational institutions. 

Thank You

The 44th Asian American International Film Festival is made possible with support from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Citibank, AARP, Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York, Philippine Consulate General in New York, Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, NYU Special Collections, SAG-AFTRA, CUNY Graduate Center, and the friends of ACV. We are also pleased to have AsAmNews as a Primary Media Partner this year.

Follow Asian CineVision! 

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aaiff)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/asiancinevision)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/asiancinevision)

Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/asiancinevision)

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/asiancinevision) 

Newsletter (bit.ly/subscribetoACV)

Submissions for the 44th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF44) are open

 January 21, 2021, NEW YORK – Submissions for the 44th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF44) are open! This year’s festival will be from August 11-22,  in the form of a hybrid festival: virtual with in-person events in NYC with safety protocols in-mind.

New Category Updates! AAIFF is excited to continue spotlighting the amazing storytelling online by the Asian diaspora. Digital/New Media has been split up to Digital/Web and VR/Interactive. Digital/Web will include Instagram Reels and TikToks, to highlight the innovative voices on these platforms. The VR/Interactive category will feature video games and other works in the field of emergent media.

New Awards! AAIFF44 will present craft specific awards, including Best Editing, Cinematography, and more.

The early bird deadline is February 15, 2021. All submissions must be made before April 15, 2021. For more information and to submit, head to http://filmfreeway.com/aaiff44.

Event Description

COVID-19 UPDATE:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AAIFF44 will be a hybrid festival, primarily virtual with limited in-person events designed for as much safety as possible in New York City. The majority of the virtual programming will be available across North America.

AAIFF has joined Seed and Spark's Film Festival Survival pledge regarding virtual screenings and eligibility. If you held a piece completed in 2019 in hopes for physical screening in 2020/2021 but would like to submit for a virtual screening now in 2021, you are eligible as long as the piece never screened virtually in 2020. More info about the Seed and Spark Film Festival Survival pledge please see https://try.seedandspark.com/film-festival-pledge/.

Some category updates: Digital/New Media has been split up to Digital/Web and VR/Interactive. Digital/Web can include IG Reel/TikTok compilations. VR/Interactive can include video games. More information about the revised categories below.

New Awards! We're adding craft specific awards this year include best editing, cinematography, and more. More information below.

If there are any questions, concerns, or financial assistance requests, please email submissions@asiancinevision.org.

ABOUT AAIFF
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is proudly known as "The First Home to Asian American Cinema." Organized by Asian CineVision, it's the first and longest-running festival dedicated to showcasing the moving image work by media artists of Asian descent for and about the Asian diaspora experience. The Festival takes place in New York City, the second-largest Asian American market in the U.S. Every year, AAIFF attracts audiences from all five boroughs of New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world.

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 Asian and Asian American independent film, television, and digital.

Films submitted and screened at the festival are eligible to participate in our National Tour program, bringing Asian diaspora stories to broader audiences across North America through a rental service for cultural and educational institutions.

Awards and Prizes

Jury Presented Awards

• EMERGING DIRECTOR IN NARRATIVE FEATURE

• EMERGING DIRECTOR IN DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

• EXCELLENCE IN NARRATIVE SHORT FILMMAKING

• EXCELLENCE IN DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMMAKING

• ONE TO WATCH YOUTH FILMMAKER

• ASIAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (AAISC)

• EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC VIDEOS

• EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL/WEB

• EXCELLENCE IN EPISODIC

• EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE EDITING

• EXCELLENCE IN SHORTS EDITING

• EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE PRODUCTION DESIGN

• EXCELLENCE IN SHORTS PRODUCTION DESIGN

• EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE CINEMATOGRAPHY

• EXCELLENCE IN SHORTS CINEMATOGRAPHY

• EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE SCREENWRITING

• EXCELLENCE IN SHORTS SCREENWRITING

By Audience Votes

• AUDIENCE AWARD: NARRATIVE FEATURE

• AUDIENCE AWARD: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

• AUDIENCE AWARD: NARRATIVE SHORT

• AUDIENCE AWARD: DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Additionally, AAIFF presents The Asian American Media Award and the Asian Media Humanitarian Award to those who have contributed significantly to Asian American media. Since its inception in 1987, recipients have included:

Wayne Wang (1987); Loni Dong (1988); Christine Choy (1989), James Yee (1990), Steven Okazaki (1991); Mira Nair (1992), Ang Lee (1993); Joan Chen (1994); Kayo Hatta and Freida Lee Mock (1995), Russell Wong (1996); Jessica Yu and Arthur Dong (1997), Michelle Yeoh (1998); Sammo Hung (1999); Andy Lau (2000); Tamlyn Tomita (2001); Marilou Diaz-Abaya (2002); Jet Li and Maggie Cheung (2005); Janet Yang (2012); Kara Wai (2016); and Justin Chon (2017).

Rules and Terms:

Eligible projects include:

•Completed submissions that have at least one person of Asian descent from any nationality in a key creative role i.e. Director, Writer, Producer, DP, etc.

•Completed submissions that represent the Asian diaspora experience.

People of Asian descent includes but is not limited to people from and are descended from areas now known as Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Russia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, and the Pacific Islands.

CATEGORIES

FEATURES - NARRATIVE

FEATURES - DOCUMENTARIES

SHORTS - NARRATIVE

SHORTS - DOCUMENTARY

MUSIC VIDEOS

ONES TO WATCH: FILMMAKERS UNDER 21

EPISODIC

DIGITAL/WEB

VR/INTERACTIVE

ASIAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (AAISC)

WORK-IN-PROGRESS