2011 San Diego Asian Film Festival: Preview

Tomorrow marks the start of the 12th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, my first time covering the event. Given that this is generally considered the crown jewel of the three festivals in town–the plain ‘ol San Diego Film Festival, run by different folks, is notorious for its awful selections–it is about time that I participate. Restricted somewhat by my studies, I will review about a dozen movies over five of the festival’s nine days. By all means, feel free to double my tally if you have the time. Here is a preview of the most exciting programming on tap at the UltraStar Cinemas at Mission Valley’s Hazard Center:

Thursday, October 20

7p and 9:45p: Almost Perfect - The festival’s opening night selection is an urban comedy from director Bertha Bay-sa Pan, starring Kelly Hu (breaking away from her roots as an action star in movies like X2 and The Scorpion King). New York romance ensues.

7:50p: Eternity – This festival favorite was directed by Sivaroj Kongsakul, who, according to the synopsis on the SDAFF website, has worked with Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the Thai master behind Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives and Tropical Malady. Are you sold yet? If you aren’t, then you don’t deserve to be. Screens again on Mon, Oct 24 at 8 p.m.

9:30p: Night Fishing and Influenza – Short films by two of Asia’s most prominent contemporary directors. You may remember the former as the movie that Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) shot entirely on an iPhone. Well, now you get to see it for itself. The latter comes from Bong Joon-ho (The Host) and it has a similarly postmodern shooting medium: security cameras. Also screens Wed, Oct 26 at 9:20 p.m.

Friday, October 21

7p: GLove – The film’s log-line– “A disgruntled pro baseball player leads a deaf high school team to victory”–may seem pretty schmaltzy, but in this case, there is reason to be optimistic. First, the film did strong box office in its native South Korea. Second, it comes from director Kang Woo-suk, who is known for heavy, often violent blockbusters like 2002’s Public Enemy, so this should at least be an interesting departure. I’m willing to bet that there’s more to GLove than meets the eye. Also screens Wed, Oct 26 at 7 p.m.

10p: Cold Fish – A fan favorite at the Toronto Film Festival (backed by a strong 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes), this horror film was picked up by beginning distributor Bloody Disgusting. That means it’s probably daring and pretty brutal, even though the setting is a seemingly benign fish store. I’m ready to be shocked. Also screens Fri, Oct 28 at 9:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 22

Noon: Ninja Kids!!! – The latest feature from the notoriously prolific Japanese director Takashi Miike is a 180 from his samurai epic from earlier this year, 13 Assassins. This one is a family-friendly action-comedy about a ninja academy for children. With Miike, you never know if you’re getting a throwaway or a great entertainment, but why not see for yourself? Also screens Sun, Oct 23 at 2 p.m.

2p: Aftershock – The highest grossing film in China’s history, this is a massive epic about the 1976 earthquake that devastated that country. The film came and went in a single week at the AMC La Jolla 12 earlier this year, so the festival represents a great second chance for those of us who would prefer to see it on the big screen on 35mm, as director Xiaogang Feng undoubtedly intended. Also screens Mon, Oct 24 at 7 p.m.

5p: Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Prolific and acclaimed Hong Kong director Johnnie To (Vengeance, Mad Detective) moves from action to romantic-comedy with this confection that finds the girl split between two guys. Variety gave the movie a good review, and it opened the Hong Kong Film Festival.

6p: The Day He Arrives – Here’s a title with pedigree: it was an Un Certain Regard selection at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. That should be no surprise coming from Hong Sang-soo, whose recent Tale of Cinema was lauded by art-film bloggers for months. In black-and-white. Also screens Tue, Oct 25 at 5:15 p.m.

7p: Shaolin – Like Aftershock, this Andy Lau/Jackie Chan action-drama about feuding warlords and ass-kicking monks played for only a week in San Diego, so the festival provides you an invaluable second chance. The reviews were good; most critics agreed that the action was riveting. Screens again Weds, Oct 26 at 8:30 p.m.

8p: Norwegian Wood – An official selection at the 2010 Venice Film Festival, this decades-spanning drama was adapted from a novel by the popular Japanese author Haruki Murakami (whose The Elephant Vanishes was one of the few books I read in middle school, at the recommendation of an eccentric classmate). It’s also notable because it stars Rinko Kikuchi, who you may remember as the Oscar-nominated actress from Babel and the scene-stealing Bang-Bang in The Brothers Bloom. Also screens Tue, Oct 25 at 7:45 p.m.

Sunday, October 23

12:20p: Ocean Heaven – Jet Li in a role that doesn’t involve martial arts — who woulda thunk it? If that’s not enough: Li stars in an especially tough role, as a cancer-stricken single father trying to figure out how his autistic son will get along when he dies. I’ll be there to see how Li does.

4:20p: Hello Ghost – Another big South Korean hit, which, according to the SDAFF synopsis, is slated to be remade for American audiences by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus. Given that the original is almost always better, you should seize the chance to catch this one in advance. Also screens Mon, Oct 24 at 7:30 p.m.

7p: Surrogate Valentine – This young romance has racked up audience awards at festivals across the country, and it comes with the especially tough-to-achieve recommendation of my San Diego Film Critics Society pal Scott Marks, no less. It is the festival’s Centerpiece selection, so I’m optimistic about it living up to the hype.

8p: The Stool Pigeon – This high-octane action flick was a big hit at Berlin, with both Variety and Film School Rejects singing its praises. If contemplative dramas aren’t your thing, then a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am trip courtesy of Hong Kong is probably right up your alley. Screens again Thu, Oct 27 at 9:40 p.m.

Monday, October 24

7:15p: In the Family – I know only two things about this drama: 1) it’s nearly three hours long and 2) it’s being presented on 35mm. Rarely do North American premieres at this type of festival have the confidence to run that long or have the financial resources to pay for a film transfer. These traits are indicative of a quality picture, and you could be among the first to experience it.

Tuesday, October 25

7:30p: A City of Sadness – There are two other films playing on Tuesday that look to be worthy of your time (Love in a Puff and The White Meadows), but the fact is, if you aren’t watching this rare new print of the 1989 Hou Hsiao-hsien masterpiece instead, you should be on medication. I’m already contemplating skipping my class for the day (which I must attend in order to do well on the exam) because this is such a remarkable opportunity… And did I mention that IT’S FREE!?

Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27 – None of the new features look especially appetizing to me–and that’s lucky, because I’ll be up at school, anyway–but GLove, Shaolin, Night Fishing + Influenza, and The Stool Pigeon–all detailed above–are replaying.

Friday, October 27

7p and 9:20p: Jiro Dreams of Sushi – All the signs look good for this Closing Night Feature — raves from critics, lots of play at the bigger festivals (including Berlin and Tribeca), and a personal recommendation from my Twitter pal Victor Morton. I’m already sold, so I need not spoil the experience for myself by reading the synopsis.

9p: Amphetamine – A hit at the Berlin and Hong Kong festivals in 2010, this gay romance from a director intriguingly known only by the moniker “Scud” promises to be visually audacious and thematically ambitious. Sounds like a good note to finish on.

For more information about the other features playing and pricing, check out the official SDAFF website. That’s all for now — I’ll see you at the festival!