Blog

FROM WHAT IS BEFORE: Tell it to the Kapre

Posted November 14th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Uncategorized

Kap..what? Over the past week, I’ve watched a loooong, three-hour film (Kano) and an hour film shot in “slow motion” (Journey to the West). But was I ready for a combination of the two…was my butt ready to sit and watch Filipino director Lav Diaz’s five and a half hour epic From What is Before…miss […]
Festival First Timer: THE SEARCH FOR WENG WENG

Posted November 13th, 2014 by Brian in Guest Post

What is it about human nature that makes us wonder about the unknown? The Search for Weng Weng, is a perfect example of why that is a good thing. The Search For Weng Weng follows the story of the film’s director, Andrew Leavold, in his search for a B-list Filipino action star by the name […]
KANO: SDAFF 2014’s Baseball Doubleheader

Posted November 13th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Guest Post

Last night’s (Nov. 12) screening of the Taiwanese baseball film Kano made you feel like you were at a real game…both run for three hours…accept last night we got to see all the highlights. There were also hotdogs in the UltraStar lobby for those that wanted a more be-at-the-ballpark feel. What the film lacked were […]
YASMINE: Brunei’s First Narrative Film in History

Posted November 12th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Guest Post

For most of us that probably have no idea what life or the culture of Brunei is like, an Islamic state on the north coast of the island of Borneo, how cool is it that last night’s Rocky (1975) meets Karate Kid (Hillary Swank’s 1994 The Next Karate Kid) inspired film Yasmine, is not only […]
JOURNEY TO THE WEST: A Monk Evicts Time

Posted November 11th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Uncategorized

Since the beginning of the festival, I hear joking comments about last night’s film, Journey to the West, that it’s basically just a bald headed guy (Lee Kang-sheng), dressed in a Buddhist monk’s red robe, who with his neck protruding forward, head bowed, staring at the ground and the fingers on each hand held in […]
Festival First Timer: THE TEACHER’S DIARY

Posted November 11th, 2014 by Brian in Guest Post

THE TEACHER’S DIARY, Nov. 13 at 8:40 PM (UltraStar Cinemas) Finally, a rom-com that I (a man) can enjoy, and one that doesn’t have Katherine Heigl in it. The Teacher’s Diary is a truly feel-good film that connects with your emotions in a way that leaves you hoping and wishing rather than checking your watch […]
Festival First Timer: LOVE’S WHIRLPOOL

Posted November 10th, 2014 by Brian in Guest Post

LOVE’S WHIRLPOOL, Nov. 13 at 9:00 PM (UltraStar Cinemas) Love’s Whirpool dives deep into the world of racy romance, a film you should gladly see after hours, but not during business hours. To put it succinctly: It’s “The Breakfast Club of sex orgies”. Yes, you read that correctly. But, don’t be alarmed (or aroused) […]
New Screenings Announced, Thurs. Nov 13

Posted November 10th, 2014 by Brian in Blog

After a busy opening weekend, we are excited to announce our much anticipated TBA screenings. These Thursday night screenings are intentionally left empty until we have viewed audience ballots and attendance of opening weekend to give our audiences another chance to catch sold out One Night Only screenings they might have missed and re-play films […]
KUMA HINA: An Hawaiian Mahu Keeping Hawaii Alive

Posted November 10th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Guest Post

Frocked in a swirling green and orange Hawaiian dress, with an ornate but subtle flower-based headdress, the proud mahu (Hawaiian transgendered) Kuma Hina or teacher Hina, slowly processions to the front of the movie theater and stands before the audience. From the back of the theater, two men, singing one at a time in Hawaiian, […]
15 Questions & 15 Answers with David Chai

Posted November 10th, 2014 by leeannkim in Blog

15 Questions and 15 Answers (in 15 words or less) with Director David Chai about his short animation, BEHIND MY BEHIND by Lee Ann Kim David Chai 1. Congrats on your latest short animation, BEHIND MY BEHIND. How would you describe what this film is about? A disheartened writer remembers inspiration is only as far away […]
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP: 40 Years in the Making

Posted November 9th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Guest Post

While watching yesterday’s screening (Nov. 9) of the ultra-engaging documentary Limited Partnership at SDAFF 2014, a film that tells the 40-year love story of a gay couple, Filipino American Richard Adams and Australian Tony Sullivan, who were “legally” married in 1975 in Boulder, Colorado…one’s mind can reflect on how things you didn’t know were in […]
2014 SDAFF winners announced!

Posted November 9th, 2014 by Brian in Blog

At last night’s gala, the San Diego Asian Film Festival announced this year’s awards. Join us in congratulating the winners! Grand Jury: APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, directed by Desiree Akhavan Narrative Feature: MAN FROM RENO, directed by Dave Boyle Feature Documentary: MY LIFE IN CHINA, directed by Kenneth Eng Narrative Short: HYPEBEASTS, directed by Jessica dela […]
VANCOUVER ASAHI: A Diamond in the Rough and Cracker Jack Film

Posted November 8th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Guest Post

Although opening night for the 2014 SDAFF was Thursday, November 6, which featured the scintillatingly successful Return of the Green Dragon (nope, not a martial arts title), a movie I was sadly unable to take in, last night was my eighth opening SDAFF night at UltraStar Cinema Mission Valley at the Hazard Center. The San […]
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE 2014 SDAFF

Posted November 5th, 2014 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Guest Post

It’s the 15th SDAFF, an event more solid than an ice cube at the North pole, which is very cool. Call me Old School, a traditionalist or a even dinosaur (BTW they lasted 165 million years; man should be so lucky), in preparation for the holiday season…SDAFF, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas for me and the New […]
15 Questions & 15 Answers with Desiree Akhavan

Posted November 5th, 2014 by Brian in Blog

15 Questions and 15 Answers with APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR’s Director-writer-actress, Desiree Akhavan 1. Give us your best 15-word pitch for APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. Woman struggles to win back her ex girlfriend and come out to her Iranian family. 2. A lot of people in film have moved on to web videos. What made you want to do the […]
15 Questions & 15 Answers with David Au

Posted November 3rd, 2014 by leeannkim in Blog

15 Questions and 15 Answers (in 15 words or less) with Director David Au about his feature film, EAT WITH ME by Lee Ann Kim PHOTO from EAT WITH ME(DAVID AU NOT PICTURED) 1. How would you describe your film to a stranger? Foodie dramedy about Emma who escapes her marriage and crashes with her estranged […]
Last Minute SDAFF Halloween Costume Ideas

Posted October 31st, 2014 by erwin in Blog

If you’re reading this, chances are you forgot it was Halloween and you didn’t think about your costume party or that you’re going trick-or-treating with the little ones tonight. We at Pacific Arts Movement & SDAFF feel like you can get over this minor problem. With all the films at the upcoming SDAFF, there should […]
Follow Friday Vol.2

Posted October 31st, 2014 by erwin in Blog

Only 6 days until #15SDAFF and we’re starting to confirm which celebrities are going to be there. Be there and try to catch a selfie, but give yourself a better chance with an All-Festival Pass for front of the line privileges to panels and celebrity Q&As. Our festival is 10 days and there’s so much to see, but […]
15 Questions & 15 Answers with Ryan Jameson

Posted October 31st, 2014 by Brian in Blog

15 Questions and 15 Answers (in 15 words or less) with Director Ryan Jameson, director of Suburbanite by Brian Hu 1. Give us your best 15-word pitch for SUBURBANITE. Grice, a twenty four year old Filipino, attempts to recreate his childhood film, “Drug Island”. 2. What inspired you to make a film about young adults in the suburbs? […]
Programmers’ Picks: our favorite short films from SDAFF 2014

Posted October 30th, 2014 by Brian in Blog

Short films often have the biggest heart. They’re also the hardest to sort through since they don’t come with the reviews and accolades of the features. So to help you navigate this year’s shorts programs, here are some favorites from members of our programming team. Thomas Gentil GRAND CANAL The melancholic and sad tone creates […]