TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FESTIVAL

Wow, the 10th Anniversary of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, it is like a trip to the Antarctic…cool. But on the other hand, there is fantastic collection of hot films that are being served up this year to appease the palates of all filmgoers that only adds to the spectacle of this gala and festive occasion. So in keeping with the spirit of festivities and this 10th year grand celebration, I will once more open this holiday bloggiday with a somewhat different version from last year's “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Reid…I mean Moore.a version of “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Reid…I mean Moore.

Twas the night before the festival, when all through San Diego,
Every film fan was stirring, including those in a winnebago.

The DVDs were nestled in the machines with care,
In hopes that Asian celebrities would soon be there.

The Asian communities were snug in their beds,
While visions of Children of Invention danced in their heads;

The SDAFF staff in their jammies, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down from the summer's Hollywood trap,

When out at the Ultrastar theatre there arose a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the Hazard, I drove like a flash,
Rolled down the windows and tossed out some cash.

The neon on the breast of the SRO,
Gave the luster of full audiences filled in each row,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
200+ films from countries up to the ear.

With a courteous nod and welcoming cheer,
I knew in a moment Lee Ann Kim our fearless leader was here.

More rapid than eagles did the fans unite,
They whistled, and shouted, and the films they did cite.

"Now, Ip Man! now Red Cliff! now K-20 and Ichi.
On, Legend is Alive! on Merantau, on Rough Cut and Mushi-shi!

To the top of the floor! To the top of the screen!
Now project away, project away, let all be seen!"

As celluloid rattles that before the focus is view,
When they meet on the screen, the image is new,

So up to the theatre-top the pictures did grow,
With a room full of patrons, and feet in each row.

And then, in a twinkling, I saw the projector light,
The strobe and the flickering were such a great sight.

As my eyes widened, with childlike awe,
The images before me, is all that I saw.

The color, the sound, from head to foot,
The audiences clapped, they gave a hoot;

A bundle of posters, and lobby cards to go,
We looked like filmgoers from head to toe.

Our eyes -- how they twinkled! Our laughter so cheerful!
Our cheeks were like roses, our postures so blissful!

Our ear perked up, our mouths agape,
The films were rolling the happiness we could not escape,

The horror, the fantasy, the martial arts as well,
The anime, drama, and action would all be swell,

But don't forget the shorts and science fiction,
All the genre are here for our depiction;

Fear, hate, sadness and love,
The emotions of film comes not from above,

But from the hearts and souls of filmmakers anew
Their true passion for art is really but a few.

And I laughed and cried, in spite of myself;
Seeing these films, no dust on the shelf

Into the lobby I cried for George Lin,
As part of SDAFF culture, he made us win.

His spirit reflected in the folded paper cranes,
Free from cancer, he lives again.

A table for Qi in the corner I see,
Will help us fight bad health for all eternity.

We’ll all endure for life in sound and sight,
"Happy movie watching to all, and to all a good-night."