Reel Voices Update and SDAFF Trailer 2009

Well folks, another season of Reel Voices is wrapping up... It's a balmy 88 degrees outside the ARTS building in Liberty Station, and closer to 98 inside the computer lab. RV Interns Lora and Lupe are putting finishing touches on their films... Junia is expected later this afternoon. Staci is "finished", but hasn't shown her project to her valiant instructors yet; Steve will finish tomorrow, Holly and Jarrod are both in good position to finish, but exact details remain unclear.

So, for those of you keeping score, it's 0 finished films and 8 still to be completed - with 33 hours to go.

I initially thought it was the youth that gave them the procrastination gene, but upon closer examination of my own habits, it seems creativity is sometimes enhanced by approaching deadline. :-)

As I swelter in the EZ Bake Oven computer lab, I am also on deadline for a project... the 2009 SDAFF trailer. I have spent the last several weeks (and every waking moment) watching the greatest hits of SDAFF 2009, and suffice to say I am impressed. (On a related note - if you haven't purchased your all-fest pass yet, the time is now! $125 for all-you-can-watch privelidges, and the price goes up $50 on Tuesday -- so hurry!)

Since I don't have my camera, here's a quick screenshot of progress on the trailer. Should be done this week, so stay tuned for the big reveal!

Asian American Film of The Week: RED DOORS

Apologies for the delay in your much needed prescription for good Asian-American cinema! This week I wanted to take a detour and look at a film that dissects family.

RED DOORS takes a look into the lives of three Chinese-American sisters who make attempts to reconcile their lost loves after being "inspired" by the disappearance of their father. This event forces them to look for him and leave their hectic and urban lifestyles to rediscover the things that are most important.

The film does a nice job in bringing issues to light without bashing you over the head with them. This film has a confident charm which resonates in the mature performances of a fine cast.

RED DOORS won awards in Tribeca, CineVegas, and Outfest, and this film continues to be an important part of the timeline of the ascension of Asian-American cinema.

Hope you enjoy!

Kims of Comedy in San Diego Friday night!

Hey all,

Kims of Comedy with Bobby Lee, Steve Byrne, and Kevin Shea will be in San Diego this Friday evening at Viejas Casino! A very funny concept, Dr. Ken (of Knocked up, and The Goods) actually was and still is apart of this brilliant troupe.

Anyways...buy your tix now for the show! Should be super funny and I think they're running low on tickets.

If you want to find a way to win tickets follow @sdaff on Twitter.

See ya there for some laughs!

Kims of Comedy
Friday, Aug 28
9pm
Viejas Casino

http://www.viejasentertainment.com/

It was a "Thirsty" Night

The new Park Chan Wook movie THIRST, was introduced to San Diego audiences (outside of Comic-Con) for the first time last Thursday night. This night was truly a treat to attend; the film is among the most enjoyable adult-vampire-romantic comedies (with gallons of blood!) I have ever seen.

More importantly, it was a great night for SDAFF to introduce its texting service to the general public (Remember text SDAFF to 53137 for festival updates!). In fact, we did our first texting contest; whoever texted SDAFF to 53137 was eligible to get two tickets for the 10th San Diego Asian Film Festival!

Our first winner (pictured below) was pleasantly surprised by the text that got back to her that she had won, now she says she intends to use her prize and spread the word. The texting does work!

As for the film, it is playing at the Ken cinemas in Kensington, for more info on the film go to the film's website.

Remember kids, text SDAFF to 53137 and you never know what may come your way!

An Intern's Last Day

Nathan Tran is a truly special intern. He came to the Foundation just wanting to lend a hand and help out. He ended up creating the foundation for what has become the TimeWarner OnDemand programming that SDAFF now offers for free for all TimeWarner customers.

Nathan's enthusiasm, punctuality, accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism have proven to be the strengths necessary to help create this program and make it successful for years to come.

Nathan is also an huge film fan and someone who is easy to work with. We regret to say goodbye to him as he is off to another semester at Loyola Marymount where he is majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Law.

Nathan, thank you for all that you did for SDAFF and know that you are part of our family!

WIN FREE TIX TO PARK CHAN-WOOK'S THIRST

Hello All,

SDAFF is giving away free tix to THIRST by PARK CHAN-WOOK. His new flick is coming to San Diego Aug 21, but we'll be participating in a free sneak peak this Thurs. Aug 20 at 7pm.

To win one of 2 free passes to see film, e-mail Daniel@sdaff.org using the word Vampire.

We'll pick a winner by Wednesday, Aug 19.

"A priest becomes a vampire…another man’s wife is coveted…a deadly seduction triggers murder. Thirst is the new film from director Park Chan-wook (Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance). Already a boxoffice smash in Korea, Thirst was honored with the Prix du Jury [Jury Prize] at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival."

Walkin' the Fringes of the "Fringe"

So yesterday was the opening day of the Fringe Festival in Seoul (as I've mentioned in previous post) !!!!!


Jini on the streets of Hongdae, with a Fringe Fest banner that was on every other pole in the city.

Unknown reporters and camera team on the streets promoting The Fringe. Casual but very colorful outfits catch pedestrians' eyes.

A hip-hop / ballet style dance show I watched called "Club Romeo and Juliet", what R&J would be in modern time of Hongdae night club scene. Haha.

But most of all, the main office had such awesome decoration!

I was highly anticipating the fest, but went without knowing detailed info about the events that will be held. Maybe I was hoping to be surprised- but unfortunately, the opening day actually had lesser number of events (most importantly, no films showing). Still! I got the most out of it... by be in awe of their main office site, which was totally overthetop decoration-!! And the show that my friend spontaneously chose--turned out to be very entertaining and a party for us all! I knew things would turn out well when ones at the artsy fringy world. I'm hoping to catch more shows, ESPECIALLY FILMS, but at this rate of my schedules in Korea, I don't know if I'll be able to grace them with another attendance (ehem!!)

Until next post!

Our friends at "Movies That Matter" will be showing a documentary this Friday in Balboa Park and are inviting YOU all to come and join.

"ROOTS IN THE SAND" is Jayasri Hart's award-winning POV documentary about Sikhs from Punjab, India and their Mexican wives in the Imperial Valley.

Jayasru Hart will be in attendance to present her film and will lead a q/a with members of the families presented in the documentary.


Film to be held at the Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Balboa Park
Aug. 14, Friday $8
Sikhs in the Family/Sikhs en la familia


Doors open at 7 pm, screening starts at 7:30 pm

More info at moviesthatmatter.blogspot,com

Another Miyazaki Masterpiece

When Disney decided to distribute Hayao Miazaki's film Spirited Away, there was a clear indication that this would be a risk. The traditional Disney animation would not be present, nor would the very typical storyline or selling points. So, what happened? Disney ended up making a lot of money off of Spirited Away and the rest is history. Disney has depended not only on the success of Pixar's amazing work, but also on that of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki's studio.

Now, this year Disney brings Miyazaki's latest masterwork Ponyo. This film is proof positive of two things: one, you do not need CGI or 3-D animation to impress someone, just a great story. Two, this film is indicative at how bad other family animated films have become.

For all that the Disney and ABC family networks offer, their programming cannot offer as many essential life lessons and grip our hearts quite the way Miyazaki can. With Ponyo, he brings us the finest family film in years. The story is quite simple, a girl-fish wants to be a human and be with a human boy that she loves.

The film is patient and really draws us in with great visuals and beautiful moments that are simple and timeless. The interaction between the characters are ideal and serve perhaps as a way for families to communicate better. There are some interesting moments, especially the way the mother drives a car!

This is the best animated film of the year hands down (besides Up, which features an Asian-American lead). I don't need raining meatballs, aliens in an attic, or some gerbels with guns to give me a good animated time. Just give me a simple, beautiful story about love, innocence, and its true power, and I am happy. Go see Ponyo as soon as you can!

SDAFF Blowfish, our annual Music Video and Concert Showcase, has had some really great talent in the past. Our headliners last year, The Blue Scholars, have just recently put out a new Music Video. Music Video as a form of story telling and film is something that SDAFF has taken very seriously in the past. So with this in mind, we'd like to support a fellow SDAFFer and amazing hip hop group, the Blue Scholars- check out this video for their latest "Hi-808" off of their upcoming EP "OOF!"

Blue Scholars - HI-808 (Official Music Video) from Blue Scholars on Vimeo.

August in Seoul-- even more eventful!

Wow- it has already been over a month since I've been in my long-time-no-see hometown of Seoul... And I've been totally amazed at how much film related events there are in this little but definitely mighty and creative city of Korea. Definitely "Dynamic Korea", as they say.

August is the month for Seoul's CHOONG-MOO-RO Film Festival, where films old and new, significant to Seoul and its friends' , are featured.

But before that-- something a little more unknown, a little more independent (lack o' money), a little more free spirited and grass-roots is Seoul's... FRINGE FESTIVAL!!

Held from August 13 - 29, it will feature not only films but also street performances of plays, music, and exhibition of arts and video screenings.

The venues will be up and down the alleys of Seoul's "Hong-Dae" -- an area where art students roam around, and hence, creates an atmosphere of creativity, youthfulness, and limitless possibility.

I'm definitely hoping to get a little taste of this FRINGE FRENZY!!!

A Little Bit of "Magic" at Balboa Park

Last night SDAFF curated its first ever Screen on the Green with the San Diego Museum of Art. The night was filled with plenty of beautiful people spending a beautiful night under the stars (and a near full moon). It was pretty magical. Which is why the film we curated, SHADOW MAGIC was pretty much perfect for the mood.

The film highlights the period when cinema was introduced to China; the film emphasized the magic of film and how it can change a community for the better.

The audience applauded at the end, and a great, totally free night was done with good vibes and smiling faces all around.

Many thanks to Alex, Ramona, and the Audio/Visual crew for helping put together a great program on a beautiful night, which introduced a whole new group to SDAFF!

Euna and Laura are Home

This morning was one of the more emotional mornings that I have encountered in quite a while. Several months back the San Diego Asian Film Foundation assisted in putting together a vigil for the two journalists who were captured on the border of North Korea. I remember working on the Audio/Video set-up and trying to work the phone call with Lisa Ling and Lee Ann Kim. The day was difficult for me, but not nearly as difficult as it was for Euna and Laura, and thinking of them and what their families had to endure was motivation for me to say prayers every night for them and to ensure that the vigil engaged the community.

Now, here we are: August 5th, 2009 and in the early morning where Laura Ling and Euna Lee were reunited with their families. The tears came down almost instantly; Euna's daughter held her mama really tight as if she did not want her to leave her side again. Laura was composed and strong and her words helped all of us understand what she and Euna were going through.

What I wanted to say is that I am grateful to all who had the women in their prayers and all of the volunteers and those who assisted with the vigil. Our collective hearts, thoughts, and prayers have gotten us to this point where we can see Laura and Euna with their families again. Also, thank you to Bill Clinton for going to North Korea and securing their release.

Photo credit: (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)