Words from the programers Episode 2: Sam Chen (artistic vision/programmer/and all around great guy)

As we get closer to the Festival, we want you to get closer to our Staff in a Segment we like to call: Words from the Programmers.

One of the joys of film programming is the sense of discovery, like going to the flea market or thrift store and discovering something rare & unseen, and having a venue to share it with your audiences. Such is the case with many films I've had a chance to bring to SDAFF in past year, especially in animation. As the only Asian American film festival to showcase animation in an exclusive program, it's like having a carte blanche to fill up a 90-minute blank canvas of eclectic animated shorts. The search is always long and challenging, but the thrill when such gems are uncovered is endlessly rewarding. The icing on the cake for me is being able to connect with these mostly unknown fellow animators and share in the artistic journey. I'm still in touch with many of them to this day. Best of all, when it's my turn to travel to remote festivals in foreign countries, I'll have friends wherever I go.

Winds of September

WINDS OF SEPTEMBER (2008)
directed by Tom Lin Shu-Yu


My first encounter with this film was at LA Pacific Film Festival last May. At the theater lobby where all film attendees gather, one poster caught my eyes...

I thought to myself... I definitely have to see this!!!

Something about the picture was so intriguing. The 9 different faces seemed to have some personal story to share, or perhaps too personal to share, too heartbreaking to rekindle memories of...

Set in the early 1990s of Taiwan, WINDS OF SEPTEMBER is a coming-of-age film about nine high school-age children learning life lessons in love, family, and friendship. The boys obsess over baseball and motorcycles, and teasing one another about their crushes and fledgling love. Friends who it seemed would remain friends forever face conflict as a love triangle forms and misunderstandings arise, breaking their unity.

The film maintains slowness in pacing and Steadicam work throughout, capturing the nostalgia of rebellious adolescence. The boys spend hours rooting for their favorite baseball team, go skinny-dipping at night when the pool is forbidden, and roam the streets joyriding on their motorcycles. Taiwanese Director Tom Lin, in his first feature, creates cherishable moments of unruly, restless teenagers, showing how they learn life’s valuable lessons through rough times.

Another notable aspect is that the cast are first-time actors. Despite their lack of experience, the ensemble is finely-matched and their performance level is outstanding. Plus, the male actors’ pretty faces will surely win attention from teenybopper audiences

Pet lovers- Travel freaks- Awkward humor junkies!

I just received an exciting email from the makers of an indie “furry film” that’s been to SF, Las Vegas, LA, NY… and that it will stop by San Diego in October!
http://www.hamstermovie.com/screenings/

ETIENNE is a story of Richard, a soft-spoken, insecure 20-something year old guy, and his pet hamster, Etienne. Although sporting an old-fashioned moustache, he is youthful and naïve with an honest heart. Sometimes he is too passive towards others, but when it comes to his hamster, he will let nothing harm the lil furry critter. To such caring pet owner, the news of Etienne’s chronic illness comes to him like his own death sentence. But he knows better than to just sit and cry about it. He decides to go on a roadtrip to show Etienne the beautiful and vast world. How romantic! But how far will they go? Oh I don’t know. You tell me how far they will get with just a bicycle and a backpack full of hamster food.

But it doesn’t matter—ETIENNE is a "film about the little things in life". Even if Richard and Etienne don’t get to see a whole lot, the little moments of their journey will make it equal one epic sized saga!

Be sure to scurry along! Come watch it at SDAFF this October!

http://sdaff.bside.com/2009/films/etienne_sdaff2009

Adorable Thai Romantic-Comedy

Even from the look of the poster, you can tell the film is full of adorable, heartwarming feature-length entertainment!

I present to you, BEST OF TIMES. (2009, Directed by Youngyooth Thongkonthun)

It is a romantic comedy (at times very melodramatic) about 2 different couples who both have troubles freely loving each other. One has been suffering a long time one-sided crush, and is surprised by how his feelings haven't changed for the one person... the other has been sharing a mutual love, but the realities keep him from being happily there for his loved one, especially when a disease takes away his strength to keep her in his mind...

but throughout the film, the cute little dog with wacky eyebrows, adds onto the heartwarming spirit-- what an important role he has!

I don't know about you, but I don't often get a chance to watch Thai films. I'm so excited for this one-- it's going to be screened during our film festival in October 15 - 29th. Join me at the theater for BEST OF TIMES!!

more info: www.kwamjumsan.com

The Challenges of being a Programmer

This year has been the most challenging year for me in the festival world. I have worked in this industry for a little over seven years, and I still feel like I'm learning everyday. The first year of being a everyday part of SDAFF has had many challenges and great moments. One of the best moments for me has been being a programmer for this year's festival.

Finding and selecting films is one of the most fascinating aspects of a film festival. It is in this timeframe that I really had no idea of how the festival would shape up to be. I felt that even me, one person can affect the theme and flow of the festival through my decisions and judgement calls of what films would be a part of this tenth festival.

What is definitely most difficult about selecting films for the festival is going outside

of yourself for guidance. Many times I had to ask myself if I am grading the film based on just my own perspective or on how other people (SDAFF audience) would see the film. It i

s in thinking outside of myself that I found the most challenges. But these challenges have great value as you the viewer are the ultimate winner.

I feel that we have selected the finest, greatest Asian-American and International Asian films resulting in 200 films in two weeks; this is a tremendous experience for myself, and I certainly know that you the Asian film fan will enjoy this festival with us.

Want to know more about programming? Just stop me at the festival when I have a free moment!

Dirty. Ugly. Critically Acclaimed

This is an indie film from SOUTH KOREA... I present to you Breathless, whose original title is "Poo Fly". Ew.

Koreans use that word to refer to an annoying person who just bums around being a hassle to others and doing nothing worthwhile in life.

Yes, the film is about such guy.

BREATHLESS (South Korea, 2009)
Director: Yang Ik-Joon

But the guy has reasons that he is living in such filthy fashion... he has personal stories that explain why he lives such BREATHLESS life... running away from the past he wants to erase... running for happiness he cannot acquire...

all the actors are newfaces to the big-screen... but their performance is superb.

although it is a low-budget production, it is definitely far from low-quality

and it's been loved all over the world in various film festivals- Deauville in France, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, in Barcelona, Fant-Asia Film Festival in Canada, in Singapore ... the film's been everywhere!

so keep in mind of this film... San Diego will have the chance to see it on the big-screen. get ready to be left BREATHLESS.

This cutesy face--

is the face of South Korean actress SONG HYE-GYO. She is mainly known for her bubbly roles in romantic-comedy Korean soap-opera series.


Then, who's that in the picture below?!





... Song Hye Gyo was also in an American movie!!!

The film, MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME, is a indie Hollywood movie by a Korean director who's had his studies in New York. This makes it a unique U.S.-Korea joint production. This is her English debut film. It's already been a year since it was premiered at Pusan Int'l Film Festival!

The film hasn't been available to wide audience yet-- So do not miss your chance to see this cutesy bubbly actress taking a hold on a thriller--! (lines in English too!! haha-)

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME,
coming to SDAFF 2009!

and Viejas was entertained... by the KIMS of Comedy!

Last Friday night was the night that the KIMS or more appropriately named, Kevin Shea, Bobby Lee, and Steve Byrne owned the night at the DreamCatcher lounge in the Viejas Casino in Alpine.

The laughs were aplenty and there was aplenty diversity; as Caucasians, Latinos, African-Americans, and (of course Asians!) came out

to forget about their real-life troubles and issues and laugh at the... troubles and issues of Shea, Lee, and Byrne!

A bunch of

SDAFFers came out to represent too as this marked a really cool event for the Asian-American community in

San Diego.

I know that I had a great time and if the KIMS ever decide to come back you should not, and I mean NOT miss this once in a lifetime show. As an added bonus, you can get some cool T-shirts from Kevin Shea after the show or at his website.

Also, a quick plug at SDAFF 10 we will be having a comedy show! Check the new sdaff.org site coming soon for more details!