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2016 San Diego Asian Film Festival

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE 2016 SDAFF

Posted November 2nd, 2016 by Dr. Craig D. Reid in Uncategorized

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It’s the 17th SDAFF, an event more solid than a red bean ice bar at the North pole, which is ultra cool. In preparation for the cinematic festival season, tradition is an integral part of many people’s lives. Thus keeping with tradition, I open this holiday bloggiday with a version of The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Reid…I mean Moore. It’s slightly different each year, a poem to reflect festival austere, because at the end of the day, the way of the sleigh, is but only a blink away.

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

The HD hard drives 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  Call of Heroes fighting in their heads;

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

When out at the Ultrastar Mission Valley 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,
140+ films from 15+ countries up to the ear.

With a courteous nod and welcoming cheer,
I knew in a moment new Pac-Arts leader Kent Lee was here.

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

“Now, Tiger Hunter! now Mifune! now Mermaid and Three.
On, AKA Seoul! on Last Princess! on Bitcoin Heist and Creepy!

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 shorts, the documentaries, the martial arts as well,
The mysteries, drama, and action would all be swell,

But don’t forget the LGBT and non fiction,
All the genres 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

A table for Chi 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.”

P.S. Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs Win! Holy Cow! The 108 year wait is over!