This years AFFD lineup is on fire like hot lava! Well, "hot lava" is what I immediately thought when I looked at their newly released full lineup for this year. I have to say this is certainly their best lineup yet in their brief six year history. My favorite AFFD was the year Peter Martin was around helping out and they showed films like Cure. Dallas doesn't often see much in the way of Asian cinema but thanks to AFFD (August 23-20, Dallas, Texas), each year they get a wide variety of the latest out there and typically some screenings of older classics (this year we get to see Taste of Tea - which is a must for anyone that liked last years Funky Forest!). This year will have 26 features and two shorts programs (and assorted special screenings) ranging from the countries of - Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and USA. Finishing the Game (Michael's report) is at the top of my list of films to see. I've been dying to see it being a fan of countless Bruce Lee and Bruce Li films (and the Shaw Brothers little seen Bruce Lee and I).
AFFD FULL SCHEDULE
Tickets (purchased here) are now on sale for all screenings (believe me the opening and closing night will sell out quick). ALL-access VIP passes are going quick and won't be available much longer at $75 (if purchased before August 1st).
For those especially eager for the fest to get under way there will be a special advanced screenings (more info) of Dorm, Heavenly Kings and A Battle of Wits.
Two films of note that I would strongly recommend seeing are:
Dorm - One of the best films I've seen this year. When I originally saw this at Udine this year I was completely burned out of films that dealt with ghost stories, specifically any that were film by numbers of a certain J-horror film. I went into Dorm expecting little and by the end of it I was completely charmed and touched by it. One of the better coming of age films I've seen this decade and not to be missed.
Tazza - Just a gorgeous film to sit back and absorb. Sure it gets long and perhaps throws in too many twists and turns for its own good but its strong filmmaking style and commanding performances all around make it well worth catching on the big screen.
Full List of Features:
5 Centimeters Per Second
And Thereafter
And Thereafter II
Battle of Wits, A (Twitch review)
Blackout
Bolinao 52
Cats of Mirikitani
Dorm (Twitch Review)
Finishing the Game * With Director, Justin Lin, Actors Roger Fan and Sung Kang (Michael's Report)
Ghost Train
Greath Happiness Space; Tale of an Osaka Love Thief
Hana
Heavenly Kings
Hula Girls (Opus Review)
Isabella
Jump Boys
Love and Honor
Love for Share
My Name is Fame
Never Perfect * Special panel discussion following filim
Owl and the Sparrow * Q&A with Director, Staphane Gauger
Taste of Tea (Todd's Review)
Tazza (Todd's Review)
Tie a Yellow Ribbon * Q&A with Director, Jay Dietrich
Vanaja
Victim, The
Links:
AFFD 2007 OFFICIAL SITE
Talk about AFFD 2007 in the Twitch Forum
I'm definitely gonna see 5cm. Shinkai is amazing and I've been excited about it since I first saw the trailers for it. Will also consider watching Dorm!
I bought a VIP pass even though I can only go to the first 3 days of the festival. Its disappointing to be missing 5 cm and the taste of tea... but its all worth it because I have anxiously been awaiting finishing the game and hana. the great happiness space movie looks interesting as well.