Established in 2002, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas has been rocking North Texas with quality Asian and Asian-American films ever since. I have a personal attachment to the fest, since I volunteered in a tiny, behind the scenes capacity at the first edition, and have been proud to see it blossom into an essential component of the local arts scene.
The 8th edition begins next week, opening with Dante Lam's galvanizing Beast Stalker. It's not quite perfect, but it's a very smart thriller in its own right, and a very good variation on the classic Hong Kong cops 'n' criminal flick. I can't wait to see it on the big screen next Friday, July 16.
I can also recommend Chris Martinez' comedy/drama 100, which screens on Saturday, July 17. Sure, it's a little weepy and melodramatic, but this Filipino Bucket List also surprised and touched me with its warm, empathetic view of a woman who is ready to face death alone -- until she comes to realize the importance of family and friends.
The fest concludes on Thursday, July 23, with Wilson Yip's Ip Man, a wonderfully entertaining biopic about Bruce Lee's teacher, featuring Donnie Yen in one of his better performances, plus great action choreography by Sammo Hung. I hope to be out nearly every night and will be posting reports throughout the fest.
The complete line-up can be found in a press release after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE:
The 8th Annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas runs July 17-23 at Landmark's Magnolia Theatre. This exhilarating week will feature over 25 feature films, ranging from Hong Kong action films, to dramas, comedies, documentaries, horror flicks, and independent releases. The 2009 lineup includes films from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the United States. The majority of these films will not be screened in Dallas theaters after AFFD.
Full festival details, including daily schedules, film facts, and advance ticket purchase information can be found on the AFFD website at www.affd.org.
Highlights of this year's Asian Film Festival of Dallas include the following:
- OPENING NIGHT -- Hong Kong police thriller Beast Stalker
- CENTERPIECE FILM -- documentary Kimjongilia
- CLOSING NIGHT -- Chinese historical blockbuster Ip Man
Festival passes and tickets are available now through the AFFD website at www.affd.org. Individual tickets range from $7-$9 and may also be purchased at the Magnolia Theater during the festival.
Any questions regarding festival events, participation, or sponsorship should be directed to mailbag@affd.org.
The Asian Film Festival of Dallas (AFFD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting emerging and established Asian and Asian-American filmmakers and sharing the rich diversity of Asian culture through the medium of cinema.
AFFD 2009 Schedule
Friday, July 17
1:45pm Kabei: Our Mother
4:30pm 881
7pm Opening Night Film: The Beast Stalker
9:30pm Ichi
11:59pm Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf
Saturday, July 18
12:30pm 100
3:00pm Cape No. 7
5:30pm All About Dad (Filmmaker Mark Tran in attendance)
7:35pm Written By
9:40pm Neko Ramen Taisho (Pussy Soup)
11:30pm 4BIA preceded by "Dara"
Sunday, July 19
12pm Animation: The Illusion of Life
1:45pm Between the Folds
3:15pm Centerpiece Film: Kimjongilia
5:15pm Tandoori Love
7:30pm Hansel and Gretel
9:45pm Beast Stalker
Monday, July 20 12:00pm Cape No. 7
2:30pm Ichi
4:45pm Family Inc.
6:00pm Story of Spirits
7:15pm Forever Enthralled
10:00pm Screen at Kamchanod
Tuesday, July 21
12:00pm Kabei: Our Mother
2:30pm All About Dad
5pm You Don't Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story
7pm Old Partner
9:30pm Kimjongilia
Wednesday, July 22
1:00pm 100
3:30pm Mushishi
5:30pm Family Inc.
7pm K-20
9:20pm Animation: The Illusion of Life
Thursday, July 23
1:00pm Mushishi
4:00pm Story of Spirits
5:45pm Between the Folds
7:30pm Closing Night Film: Ip Man
10:00pm 4BIA preceded by "Dara"
I'll see you there as usual Peter. Maybe I'll do some reviews this year, since I flaked last year.