Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
12-5pm | Asian Arts Initiative Lead Artists: Aizhanneya Carter and Claris Park Welcome to the Department of Judgement Zoning. We invite you to navigate the bizarrely familiar world of The Department of Judgement Zoning where identity rules and bureaucracy is not as mundane as it seems… Efficiency is valued at the DJZ, so please make sure to have your documents ready before you meet a member of our highly trained team of Judges. We are happy to serve you! The DJZ is an interactive theatre piece exploring identity, solidarity, and collective liberation. The DJZ was developed through the Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists/Asian Arts Initiative 2018 Mini Residency Project and the Naked Angels/The New School Issue’s Project Lab 2017. Claris Park is a Philadelphia based actor and theater maker and is thrilled to be remounting the DJZ along with her co-creator, Aizhaneya Carter, director Cat Ramirez, and numerous other wonderful collaborators! Recent credits include Monster in the Hall (Inis Nua), Close Your Legs, Honey (Philadelphia Fringe, 2018), A New Kind of Whole (Director, Philadelphia Fringe, 2018), and Much Ado About Nothing (Delaware Shakespeare). Upcoming credits include Bob, A Life In Five Acts (Azuka Theatre) and Among the Dead (Theatre Exile). They are a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
East Coast Premiere Director: Steven de Castro 120 mins | Documentary | Philippines | English Revolution Selfie expands the horizons of documentary storytelling while broadening our understanding about the lesser-known fronts in the global “War on Terror.” Filmmaker Steven De Castro paints a portrait of the 48-year-old Maoist guerilla army in the Philippine hinterlands. But rather than simply presenting interviews and images in a traditional journalistic manner, this film weaves fantasy elements and web-based camera techniques into the documentary form to disrupt our matrix of widely held beliefs that underpin the discussion of terrorism, poverty, and the motivations of the warriors who fight in a peasant revolution. Director Steven de Castro expected in attendance for post-film Q&A.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Get Tickets Things are changing on the Tibetan Plateau. With diminishing grasslands, falling livestock prices, smaller families, and a rise in the number of children going to school, the nomads are finding it increasingly hard to continue their traditional way of life. Many are leaving the grasslands, struggling at this time of transition to keep their culture alive while also embracing the modern world. On any given day, you will find nomads herding their yaks and sheep and monks reciting their mantras. You will also find them playing one of their favorite sports—basketball. Next to traditional horseback riding, basketball has become a way for young men to work off their aggression and channel their energy. And when a proper coach arrives from the United States, slam-dunk becomes their new mantra. A new tournament has been announced, the first in their region. Can they put together a team that’s good enough to take part? Might they even be able to win?
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Curators: Sara Zia Ebrahimi & Lila Yomtoob Asian Arts Initiative | 64 mins Having a hyphenated identity is more than just being between worlds and fixed identities. It includes the active process of forging a new cultural space—a cultural remix. It is often the work of the first generation after a significant migration to begin establishing the cultural products and institutions to capture that remix. This program of short films is part of that work; an attempt to amplify the voices of diasporic Iranian filmmakers. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. A Reluctant Bride Director: Shideh Faramand | 6 mins | Australia A single Persian woman, still unmarried at 28, must endure disapproval and meddling from married friends and relatives at her younger sister’s engagement party. America 1979 Director: Lila Yomtoob | 14 mins | USA It’s 1979, and the Iran Hostage Crisis is in full force. When an Iranian American girl is teased at school for her ethnicity, her family must come to terms with how world politics is affecting their lives. Eddeaa Director: Abjeez | 2 mins | Sweden Music video from Swedish Iranian female pop duo Abjeez about the downside of some traditional Iranian values, juxtaposing traditional imagery with modern sounds and words. Ice Skates Director: Sara Zia Ebrahimi and Lindsey Martin | 6 mins | USA Based on a true story, the film tells a story from the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1980 from the perspective of Haleh, an eight year old who just wants to enjoy her ice skates. Magic Shoes Director: Sahand Nikoukar |10 minutes | USA Nine-year-old Iranian immigrant Kamron can’t seem to fit into the culture of early 90s Los Angeles, forcing him to wonder, is it the shoes?
East Coast Premiere Director: Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, and Kumu Hina Wong-Kalu 70 mins | Documentary | Tonga | English Leitis in Waiting is the story of Joey Mataele and the Tonga Leitis, an intrepid group of native transgender women fighting a rising tide of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in their South Pacific Kingdom. The film follows Joey, a devout Catholic of noble descent, as she organizes an exuberant beauty pageant presided over by a princess, provides shelter and training for a young contestant rejected by her family, and spars with American-financed evangelicals threatening to resurrect colonial-era laws that criminalize the Leitis’ lives. With unexpected humor and extraordinary access to the Kingdom’s royals and religious leaders, Joey’s emotional journey reveals what it means to be different in a society ruled by tradition, and what it takes to be accepted without forsaking culture and tradition. Leitis in Waiting is an inside story, created by a Polynesian transgender woman who once competed and won the crown in Joey’s beauty pageant.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
US premiere Director: Kenichi Omori 91 mins | Documentary | Japan | Japanese As part of the celebrations to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Mihara Castle’s construction, the youth from the Yassa Daruman neighborhood have undertaken a glorious project: to spread the popularity of Yassa Daruman, Mihara City’s official mascot, around the country. Inspired by this example of youthful exuberance, the ordinary citizens of Mihara City join the struggle, and a wonderful adventure commences.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Director: Henry Koster 133 min | Musical, Comedy, Romance | USA | English In this adaptation of the 1958 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical, Chinese immigrant Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) is betrothed to nightclub boss Sammy Fong (Jack Soo), but he wants to marry showgirl Linda Low (Nancy Kwan). To get out of the arrangement, Sammy pawns her off to wealthy Master Wang (Benson Fong) as a fiancée for his son, Wang Ta (Victor Sen Yung). Mei Li falls in love with Wang, but he wants to pursue Linda, who takes advantage of his affections to test Sammy’s love.
Asian Arts Initiative | 81 mins This program of six narrative shorts explores a variety of perspectives on queer-ness, coming out, and embracing one’s identity both overseas and amongst the Asian immigrant generation in the US. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. Hoài (Ongoing/Memory) Director: Quyen Nguyen Le | 11 mins | USA A young Vietnamese American queer woman and her father cohabitate after her recent breakup, exploring themes of heartbreak from romantic relationships, to families, to nations. Salamagan Director: Elisa Oh | 12 mins | USA Ana fears that coming out to her Filipino Catholic mother would break her heart. But when her mother needs help cleaning a hoarder house, Ana enlists her secret girlfriend for the job. Straighten Out Director: Yung-Chieh Chang | 14 mins | Taiwan Sheng wakes up in a clinic with no memory of how he got there. When he discovers the truth, he faces a difficult choice: following his family’s religious beliefs or embrace his true identity. Rani Director: Hammad Rizvi | 14 mins | Pakistan A Pakistani transgender woman sets out to take care of an abandoned child. Hudson Director: Shae Xu | 10 mins | USA A young divorcee mother tries to find the right moment to tell her teenage son that the woman she lives with is actually her girlfriend. Uninvited Director: Seung Yeob Lee | 20 mins | South Korea When a closeted gay man’s mother comes for a sudden visit, he quickly hides evidence of his live-in boyfriend.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Director: Prakash Angdembe 105 mins | Documentary | Bhutan, India, Nepal | Nepali Desh Khojdai Janda’s film documents the more than 120,000 forgotten Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens from Bhutan who spent two decades in refugee camps (some of whom are still living there) in Jhapa and Morang, Nepal. Their years of repatriation struggle to their homeland continues with the character Karbari Kaka. Producer Pralhad Gurung is expected in attendance for a post film Q&A.
East Coast Premiere Director: Kulap Vilaysack 106 mins | Documentary | Laos | English, Lao In her directorial debut, actor/writer/podcaster Kulap Vilaysack explores her tangled family tree to find out who she is. When Vilaysack was 14, she took her father’s side in an argument and her mother replied, “Why are you defending him? He’s not your real dad.” Twenty years later, she’s finally ready to learn what that means. Origin Story is a feature-length, international quest with stops in Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Laos for Vilaysack to meet the biological father she never knew. On the road unforeseen revelations strike both hilarious or heartbreaking—but rarely in between. Origin Story is a deeply personal but universally relevant tale of immigration, conflict, identity, and personal responsibility. Interviewees in the film include extended family, husband Scott Aukerman, and close friends, like Sarah Silverman, Casey Wilson, June Diane Raphael, and Howard Kremer.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Director: Stephen Tringali 81 mins | Documentary | USA | English Get Tickets The image of the American hero is challenged in this heartfelt portrait of 9/11 Pentagon first-responder Isaac Ho’opi’i. A nationally recognized K9 Unit Officer, Isaac Ho’opi’i was responsible for saving numerous people from the Pentagon during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Countless articles were written about his heroism following 9/11, and he even ran the Olympic Torch on its way to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics. After the news cameras had been turned off and the lights dimmed, Isaac was left with the horrific images he had seen and the memory of those he was unable to save. Corridor Four is a feature-length documentary that illustrates Isaac’s story in the first-ever look at how the Pentagon handled mental health care in the aftermath of 9/11. Watch Trailer Officer Ho’opi’i is expected in attendance for a post film Q&A.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Philadelphia Premiere Director: Dianne Fukami 60 mins | Documentary | USA | English Get Tickets A son of immigrants forced into a U.S. World War II concentration camp as a child, Norman Mineta became the first Asian American mayor of a major city (San Jose, California); enjoyed a distinguished 20-year career in Congress; was the first Asian American Cabinet member; served under two U.S. Presidents, a Democrat and Republican. Mineta never forgot his roots or the shame and humiliation he and his family felt during WWII and led the way for an apology from the U.S. government and redress for Japanese Americans. On September 11, 2001, his leadership as U.S. Secretary of Transportation would ensure that what happened to Japanese Americans during WWII did not happen to any other group based on ethnicity or religion. Secretary Mineta is expected in attendance for a post-film Q&A with director Dianne Fukami. Closing Reception 8:30-11:00pm | Asian Arts Initiative
You are cordially invited to PAAFF Dine-In Theater, our newest virtual fundraiser. Join us for dinner and a movie, PAAFF style! We’ve paired the ultimate all ages, feel-good documentary with your choice of Dinner for 2 from two of Philadelphia’s acclaimed Asian-owned restaurants. Choose a curated meal from either bāo•logy or Hardena/Waroeng Surabaya. Bao-logy showcases Taiwanese food, highlighting fresh, high quality ingredients. Bao-logy chef/owners Judy Ni and Andy Tessier were recently awarded the 2019 Starchefs award for sustainability. 2018 Beard Award semifinalist Hardena offers homestyle Indonesian dishes. As you enjoy the flavors and textures of authentic Asian cuisine, view the film that broke box office records in both Taiwan and Hong Kong. Hua Tien-hau’s Go Grandriders 不老騎士-歐兜邁環台日記 (2013) follows 17 “Grandriders” - whose average age is 81 - on a 1178 km motorcycle ride around Taiwan. Go Grandriders might just change your perspectives about the elderly! Bao-logy Menu: Taiwanese Fried Chicken Meal (finished with caramelized honey & our baology red pepper blend) - a whole 4# local, pasture-raised chicken butchered in-house - Egg Fried Forbidden Rice - Smashed Cucumber Salad *Vegetarian options will substitute the Fried Chicken with Taiwanese Fried Cauliflower *Allergens: Sesame oil, eggs, alliums *The meal is nut & gluten-free Hardena Menu: -jasmine rice -veggie corn fritter (contains gluten) -Beef Rendang (made with candlenut which is related to macadamia nut) -Collard Greens -Herbed Chicken -Egg & Tofu Curry (candlenut) -Cob Corn & fresh veggies -Potatoes in coconut milk (candlenut) *Vegetarian options will sub Rendang and Chicken with: -tempeh sautéed in sweet soy sauce (soy, gluten) -eggplant in red pepper sauce *Allergens: nuts, eggs, soy, & gluten
This year PAAFF will be livestreaming our Preview Party, and you’re invited! So kick off your shoes, slip into your sweats, pour yourself a glass of something special, and tune into our Facebook, Youtube, or Twitch channels on Thursday October 8, at 6:30PM ET for an exclusive sneak peek at our festival lineup. If you’re in the mood for movie munchies, we’ve partnered with Chatayee Thai to offer a very special (and specially priced) PAAFF Snackbox filled with delicious Thai appetizers (vegetarian/vegan option available)! You will be able to preorder for pickup at https://chatayeethai.com/ or order for delivery through DoorDash or Caviar. And if you want to make it a meal, their full menu will also be available for pickup or delivery. Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/PAAFF YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhillyAsianAmericanFilmFestival/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PAAFF
PAAFF is hosting this brunch with our Queer Asian family: Queer Asian Social Club, Philly Asian and Queer, hotpot! Philly, and Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists Continuing our new tradition of Queer Brunch-ing during our festival, we are inviting everyone in our queer-identifying, Asian diasporic, film-loving community to join us in this virtual space to connect with one other and to appreciate all that is Queer Film! Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItf-yrpzMiE9J-PbB5XDe16qWJgBZ_OnYH Make sure to check out some of our Queer Film Programs at the festival this year! Queer Futures: LGBTQ Shorts Program Centerpiece Narrative: Goodbye Mother
For our April meeting, we will be discussing Surname Viet Given Name Nam (1989). Vietnamese-born Trinh T. Minh-ha's profoundly personal documentary explores the role of Vietnamese women both historically and in contemporary society. Using dance, printed texts, folk poetry, and the words and experiences of Vietnamese women in Vietnam—from both North and South—and the United States, Trinh's film challenges official culture with the voices of women.A theoretically and formally complex work, Surname Viet Given Name Nam explores the difficulty of translation and themes of dislocation and exile, critiquing both traditional society and life since the war. You can access this documentary for FREE on Kanopy. Our April meeting is scheduled for April 17, at 3PM ET/12PM PT. We will send a meeting registration link soon! Sign up for our Film Club newsletter below! *Please make sure to check the "PAAFF Film Club" box when signing up!
Spring is in the air! And what better way to celebrate than with a romantic comedy? For the May meeting of PAAFF Film Club, we’ll be talking about writer-director Alice Wu’s 2004 debut Saving Face. Reviewing the film at the Toronto International Film Festival, David Rooney of Variety described the film as a “warmly observed, low-key charmer about a closeted Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother, both reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.” PAAFF Film Club will meet next on May 15 at 3PM ET/12PM PT. Saving Face is available on Amazon Prime Video. Sign up for our Film Club newsletter below! *Please make sure to check the "PAAFF Film Club" box when signing up!
After moving from Calcutta to New York, members of the Ganguli family maintain a delicate balancing act between honoring the traditions of their native India and blending into American culture. Although parents Ashoke (Irrfan Khan) and Ashima (Tabu) are proud of the sacrifices they make to give their offspring opportunities, their son Gogol (Kal Penn) strives to forge his own identity without forgetting his heritage. You can access The Namesake on Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, or you can rent the film for $3.99 on YouTube. Our June meeting is scheduled for June 19 at 3PM ET/12PM PT. We will send a meeting registration link soon! Make sure you join the PAAFF Film Club Discord server if you’re interested in continuing the conversation outside of our monthly meetings! Sign up for our Film Club newsletter below! *Please make sure to check the "PAAFF Film Club" box when signing up!
Before Jo Jo Rabbit and the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder, Taika Waititi wrote and directed Boy, the focus of our July PAAFF Film Club meeting. Part The 400 Blows, part Slumdog Millionaire, a pinch of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and all New Zealand, Boy offers a nostalgic coming-of-age narrative that seems made for summer viewing. During summer break in 1984, eleven-year-old Michael Jackson fanatic "Boy" has the adventure of his life. With his mother dead and father AWoL, Boy becomes the head of a household full of kids when his Nana leaves town for a funeral. It starts as just another few weeks of fruitless pining for classmate beauty Chardonnay, but then his Dad rolls up in a vintage car with his Crazy Horses gang, and Boy's life turns upside down. You can access Boy on Hulu, Vudu (free with account), and Amazon Prime Video ($3.99). Our next meeting is scheduled for July 17 at 3PM ET/12PM PT. Make sure you join the PAAFF Film Club Discord server if you’re interested in continuing the conversation outside of our monthly meetings! Sign up for our Film Club newsletter below! *Please make sure to check the "PAAFF Film Club" box when signing up!
