Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

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Forgive – Don’t Forget East Coast Premiere

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: During Japan"s surrender at the end of World War II, numerous swords were confiscated by American officers and shipped to the States. The Japanese sword, while once a symbol of wartime aggression, is also embedded in Japan"s rich history and spiritual heritage. In order to better understand the past and build a bridge between cultures in the present, the American grandson of a US naval officer attempts to return one of these surrendered swords to the Japanese descendants of its original owner. A thoughtful reflection on the intergenerational legacy of war, and how current generations can be involved in ongoing reconciliations from past conflicts. Director Brad Bennett and other members of the crew expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. Facebook Event Page 

$5 – $8

Dear Thalia East Coast Premiere

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: Less than a mile from the tourist beaches of Waikiki is one of Hawaii"s largest homeless populations. This compelling documentary offers a firsthand look into the lives of Tracy Martin, his wife Tabatha, and four year-old daughter Thalia living on the streets of Kakaako, Oahu as a homeless family. Mixing archival footage, interviews, and footage shot by the Martin family themselves using GoPro cameras provided by the filmmaker. Part of the Pacific Showcase presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications, this film is an important reminder of the human cost of ongoing gentrification in the Hawaiian islands caused in part by tourism. Facebook Event Page

$5 – $8

Daze of Justice

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: Shot on location in Phnom Penh this challenging film documents local reactions to the Khmer Rouge genocide trials as they occurred. At the heart of this story are the Cambodian American women who broke decades of silence, abandoning the security of their American homes on a journey back to Cambodia as witnesses to the UN Special Tribunal prosecuting the Khmer Rouge. Daze of Justice takes us beyond the Killing Fields as these women must not only find the courage to remember their past, but also come face to face with Phang, the son of Kaing Guek Eav (Alias "Duch"), one of Pol Pot"s most notorious torturers. On the margins of the UN tribunal, these women generate a vocabulary for reclaiming the past while also paving a path toward redemption for future generations. Director Michael Siv expected in attendance for Q&A and Cambodia Town Film Festival Founder praCh Ly will lead a post-film discussion. Facebook Event Page

$5 – $8

Bad Rap + Hip Hop Showcase

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: An engrossing feature documentary detailing the obstacles and successes of four up-and-coming Asian American rappers trying to break into a world that often treats them as outsiders. From battle rhymes of crowd-favorite dumbfoundead to the tongue-in-cheek songs of Awkwafina, the unapologetic visuals of Rekstizzy to conflicted values of Lyricks, the film paints a memorable portrait of artistic passion in the face of an unsung struggle. The result is a thoughtful reflection on perceptions of race in mainstream music, cultural appropriation, and ongoing challenges for AAPI musicians hoping to break out of their niche. Producer Jaeki Cho expected in attendance for post-film Q&A followed by live performances from AAPI hip hop artists guest curated by Scott CHOPS Jung from the legendary Mountain Brothers. Performers: Chee Malabar Chee Malabar is an Indian American rapper, writer, and educator whose work touches on themes of isolation, angst, and bewilderment. His latest release, Feral Child, tells Chee’s personal immigration story and features songs cast against the backdrop of the 90s as experienced by a family newly arrived to Urban America. www.cheemalabar.com https://youtu.be/G55U6aD1A7U   PraCh Ly praCh Ly, is a critically acclaimed artist whose music not only entertains, but also educates. Outside of his music, praCh is a published author whose writings have been incorporated into Southeast Asian Studies in a number of California schools. praCh has lectured and performed at many prestigious institutions including the Smithsonian Institute in DC, as well as Brown, Yale, and Harvard universities. theorphanageproductions.com/about/prach/ https://youtu.be/97UZ5C2FbDU   JKEY The first rap records JKey (Jaeki Cho) heard were by Korean American duo Drunken Tiger back when he was 10 years old. Ever since then he has become infatuated with music and subculture, dedicating a majority of his adolescence obsessing over anything pertaining to Hip Hop. After working for independent rap artist Snacky Chan throughout high school, Jaeki landed an internship at Complex Media in college. Since then he has pursued a career in music journalism, writing for publications such as Complex, VIBE, Billboard, and working as an editor for XXL. Without taking a second to breathe after the release of Bad Rap, JKey rolled into dropping his Korean mixtape titled Gyopo Anthem. facebook.com/essenticnyc/ https://youtu.be/0G6AZnI9z2g   Facebook Event Page 

$5 – $8

Random Acts of Legacy East Coast Premiere

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: Rescued from an online auction, a pile of deteriorating 16mm home movies spanning from 1936 to 1951, are restored by filmmaker Ali Kazimi. What emerges is the moving story of an unusually wealthy Chinese American family in Depression era Chicago. Kazimi"s quest to make meaning of these home movies connects him with Irena Lum " the sole surviving daughter of graphic artist and collector, Silas Henry Fung. Intertwining a first person narrative with family accounts and other commentators, Kazimi weaves a rich tapestry of the life of the Fung family. The rescued footage offers an intimate and radically different visual perspective on the Chinese American community " with a surprising feminist twist. Visually rich and textured, unafraid to show the decaying patina of a family archive, Random Acts of Legacy revels in the making of home movies and memory. Join Festival Director Rob Buscher for a brief presentation after the film on the Memories to Light Campaign to digitize and archive Asian American home movies from the celluloid era. More details available at: PAAFF.org/memories-to-light/ Facebook Event Page

$5 – $8

Sherpa Stew US Premiere

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: The Sherpa of Nepal's high Himalaya are the men and women known for their endurance and ability to survive at oxygen-deprived altitudes. And in New York City, they're driving cabs, selling imports at street market stalls, and chopping vegetables in the kitchens of Asian restaurants. The film follows mountaineers Nima Dawa Sherpa and Kipa Sherpa from the top of Mount Everest to Queens, New York, as they strive to start a new life. With nuance, humor, and insightful direction, filmmaker Andy Cockrum offers a fresh perspective on the immigrant's journey, who put everything on the line to provide a better life for their children. Director Andy Cockrum and documentary subjects Gary Guller and Kipa Sherpa expected in attendance for a post-film Q&A after their US Premiere screening. Facebook Event Page 

$5 – $8

Under Construction

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: A hard hitting narrative feature with strong anti-misogynist undercurrents, Under Construction is a film about a modern Muslim woman struggling to find herself in the sprawl of urban Bangladesh. A feminist awakening occurs in middle class actress Roya as she reconstructs a famous and politically minded play of Rabindranath Tagore for modern times, reclaiming her agency in the process. Produced at a time when attitudes towards gender roles and modern family dynamics in Bangladesh are going through a societal shift, the innovative camera work and contemporary visual storytelling technique echoes the progressive social message in this film. Director Rubaiyat Hossain expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. Co-presented by Mustard Seed Film Festival mustardseedfilmfest.org/ Facebook Event Page 

$5 – $8

Centerpiece Film Tyrus

Lightbox Film Center 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: Tyrus tells the unlikely story of 105-year old Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong, how he overcame poverty and racism to become a celebrated modernist painter, Hollywood sketch artist, and "Disney Legend" for his groundbreaking work on the animated film, Bambi. Guangzhou-born, LA-based the film examines Tyrus" breathtaking scope of work across multiple artistic mediums and his personal and professional journey navigating racial bigotry in 20th century America. Making meticulous use of Tyrus Wong"s exquisite art, archival footage, interviews and commentary from Wong himself, the film documents how his unique style that combines Chinese calligraphic and landscape influences with contemporary Western art helped define the stylistic look of Disney"s animated film, Bambi. Tyrus, makes a critical contribution to the documentary tradition and Asian American history by spotlighting this seminal, but heretofore unknown figure. Facebook Event Page 

$5 – $8

Family Ingredients

Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia , PA, United States

Join host Chef Ed Kenney as he travels the path of ancestors, from Hawaii to the homeland in this six-episode TV documentary food genealogy travel show that explores the links between ethnic heritage and culinary arts. The first episode follows host Ed Kenney around his native Oahu in an extensive look at the food that made the biggest impact on his life " poi, an important staple in Native Hawaiian cuisine made from taro. In the second episode Chef Ed travels to Tahiti to meet up with a young man named Maui Tauotaha sailing the globe on a traditional Polynesian double-hulled canoe. Their journey leads them to an ancestral village in search of Maui"s favorite food memory " poisson cru, or raw fish, the quintessential Tahitian dish. Screened with the first episode of Laos In The House Guest, a web series that highlights individuals who happen to be Lao American refugees. The debut webisode features Kris & Manila of #IEatLaoFood and explores the important role food plays in their culture and families. Director Catzie Vilayphonh expected in attendance. Facebook Event Page 

Free

Atomic Heart

Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia , PA, United States

Synopsis: Set in urban Tehran, this uncertainty-inducing film offers a surrealist reflection on contemporary Iranian culture. Two girlfriends, Arineh and Nobahar try to make their way home after a night of partying. After getting in an accident, a mysterious stranger pays off the driver of the car they hit; his only request their company. They soon discover that nothing is as simple as it seems as lines between dreams and reality become increasingly blurry. Part of the New Directions in Iranian Cinema Showcase, this film blends meticulous camera composition and a plot laden with magic realism to convey a story steeped with criticism of Iranian society, gender bias, and US imposed economic sanctions. Facebook Event Page 

Free

Three Stories

Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia , PA, United States

Synopsis: 10 years after immigrating from Japan where traditionally, carvings of Buddha were made from a single piece of wood, Eiko Fan's wood sculpture reached a turning point. Eiko"s style evolved from this tradition to include flexible, inventive use of wood and body movements of mime and dance, encased in wooden costumes. Eiko then created a movie set in which her sculptural creatures could interact. Produced on 16mm film in 1981-1982 in collaboration with Rudy Burckhardt, a very well known photographer/filmmaker from New York, this film is a time capsule of Eiko"s life 35 years ago. Eiko later went on to perform "Live Wood Sculpture" performances internationally and even included her children in this production. Artist Eiko Fan will be present for a post-screening Q&A and a presentation on her work. Facebook Event Page 

Free

Women Directors in Japanese Experimental Film

Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia , PA, United States

Collaborative Cataloging Japan is pleased to present works by two pioneering female Japanese video artists. Mako Idemitsu and Shigeko Kubota share common grounds as artists who relocated to the U.S. in the 1960s' Idemitsu to California, and Kubota to New York. The 70-minute screening program is followed by discussions with Dr. Midori Yoshimoto, Associate Professor and Gallery Director at New Jersey City University. The screening is organized by Ann Adachi-Tasch of Collaborative Cataloging Japan. MAKO IDEMITSU Born in a patriarchal family in Japan, Mako Idemitsu grew up surrounded by dismissive attitudes against women. After having two children in California with artist Sam Francis, Idemitsu took up Super 8 film camera to explore her inner struggle and identity as a woman, wife, daughter, mother, and a foreigner looking for a home abroad. The 1972 Woman"s House is a document of her visit to Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro's Womanhouse, a feminist art installation and performance space."In the same year Idemitsu made Inner-Man,"her first work featuring a Jungian inner persona, a theme and style she continues to explore."In the work, Idemitsu overlays images of a naked man over a woman in kimono, suggesting the inner man in a woman. A beautiful picture of her lonely sentiments of living abroad, Santa Monica 3"(1974) shines light on Idemitsu's filmic lyricism. Having switched from film to video, Emotional Volatility about My Father (1983) illustrates her tangled relationship with her father, who had disowned her when she chose to remain in California. The last piece in the Idemitsu program, Great Mother (SACHIKO) (1985) is a typical representation of what is known as "Mako-style" in which the physical monitor placed in the shot represents a psychological other that inflicts internal conflict within the protagonist. SHIGEKO KUBOTA Taking up the Sony Portapak video camera in 1967, Kubota began documenting her encounters with artists and her travels, a practice she continued throughout her carrier. Video Girls and Video Songs for Navajo Sky (1973) is one of her video diaries that came out of a month-long residence with a Navajo family in Arizona. A prominent member of Fluxus, Kubota's reason for moving to New York was her connection with George Maciunas, a founding member of the Fluxus movement in early 1960s. George Maciunas With Two Eyes 1972, George Maciunas With One Eye 1976 (1994) is a portrait of the early 1970s New York SoHo art scene. Another trait of Kubota's video works is using the creative process as a way of healing. My Father (1973-75) and SoHo SoAp/Rain Damage (1985) are examples of allowing the documentation of tragic life occurrences to transform emotions into remembrances and settling. Facebook Event Page 

Free

He

Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia , PA, United States

Synopsis: A mannequin is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others especially to display or fit clothing. This film is the narrative of creation and existence of some mannequins. Although they are created equally, omnipotent fate prevents the equal denouement.So to an extent this film is perhaps the tale of fate. An intriguing experimental documentary short with minimal spoken dialogue that takes seemingly banal imagery and makes it grotesque. Part of the New Directions in Iranian Cinema Showcase. Facebook Event Page 

Free

Indonesian Night at the Market

Reading Terminal Market 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Enjoy an entire evening of FREE entertainment at one of Philadelphia’s most iconic food destinations with complimentary tastings of rare West Java Indonesian coffee in the Center Court from 6pm until film starts. Food available for purchase throughout the event. 6:30 Children’s performance of Angklung music (traditional bamboo instruments) 7:00 Traditional Indonesian Dance performance by Modero Dance 7:20 Welcoming Remarks 7:35 Filmmaker introduction and screening of Aroma of Heaven 8:45 Q&A with Director Budi Kurniawan Aroma of Heaven The coffee industry has more than 300 years of history in Indonesia. At the heart of today’s industry lies the legacy of imperialism and colonization. Tradition, culture, arts, faith, and indigenous beliefs all contribute to the story of the Indonesian coffee industry. Featuring interviews with farmers, scientists, philosophers, academics, anthropologists, and business owners - this Feature doc takes the audience to places it has never been and presents a familiar subject in a completely different way. Aroma of Heaven is an utterly engaging film that poses the provocative question: how much do we know about the coffee that we consume every day, or the people whose lives revolve around supplying it to us? Director Budi Kurniawan expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. Event co-sponsored by Old City Coffee, Inc., Reading Terminal Market, and Modero & Company oldcitycoffee.com readingterminalmarket.org moderodance.com Translation by Indonesian Diaspora Network Facebook Event Page 

Free

Loss & Longing Shorts

Fleisher Art Memorial 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This FREE program offers a selection of five short films dealing with coming to terms with death, and longing after loss. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-screening Q&A. Song on Canvas An emotionally lost artist, trapped in the corporate world, receives encouragement to pick up his brush again from, out of all people - his deceased mother played by Sharon Omi (Eat With Me). Directed by PAAFF alumni Keo Woolford (The Haumana). Harry on the Clouds This animated short is about a grieving sheep mother whose young son’s spirit comes back to visit from heaven. Knots When Scarlett’s grandfather comes to town for her high school graduation, she must come to terms with the loss of her mother and mend her relationship with her father. The motif of the knot is what keeps the generations together with themes of family, acceptance and crossing cultures. I Won't Miss You 17-year-old Janey’s best friend Tim begins to appear in her bedroom at night after dying in a car crash and their awkward undeclared feelings begin to surface. Godlike Alex, a complex and introverted high school teenager with an interest for gaming, finds himself at odds with his Grandmother when he receives news of his mothers passing. Facebook Event Page 

Free

Okay I’ll Tell You + Bi(?!)Lingual – Theater Performances

Fleisher Art Memorial 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

As part of our ongoing commitment to the community, PAAFF’16 will include a series of FREE screenings and live theater performances November 16-17 at Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. Okay I'll Tell You Four adults, who were adopted when they were young, gather to share their stories of family, loss, love, pride, and identity. Here, they challenge us to face their own questions, stare down narratives that keep being thrown at them, and wonder how, and sometimes even if, this part of their stories matters. Together, they mourn the closures they cannot have, embrace a future that has always been wide open, and celebrate the people with whom they have grown. Please note: this piece is not specifically created for children and does contain cursing, sexual references, and racial anxiety. The original creation of OK, I’ll Tell You received support from a 2015 Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant. Approximately 55 minutes with audience talk back afterwards. Ensemble: Rae Bradley - Creator/Performer Noah Breymeier - Creator/Performer Siona Stone - Creator/Performer Sarah Mitteldorf - Creator/Director Website: sarahm.net Bi(?!)Lingual Asaki Kuruma’s first solo show that is incubated by Simpatico Theatre Project as a part of 2014 SoLow Festival. The show is inspired by Asaki’s life-time experience as a foreigner- Born in Japan, learned English, came to America to pursue her dream- only life just doesn’t work the way movies do. 10 min excerpt of the 55 minute original will be performed by Asaki in advance of the main event theater performance. Asaki Kuruma - Creator/Performer Facebook Event Page

Free

Musical Shorts

Fleisher Art Memorial 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This FREE four film shorts program offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of two virtuoso immigrant musicians, a struggling indie folk artist about to catch his big break, and Chinese punk rockers in Beijing. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-screening Q&A. Carnatic Cornet Venkat Ganesan is attempting to do something that has never been done before, play the south Indian classical Carnatic music on the cornet. This short doc follows Venkat the week leading up to his first live performance. Dinosaur Rider Adapted from true stories and featuring a cast of local punk-rockers acting as themselves, this narrative short is a vibrant portrait of what it’s like to be young and punk in contemporary China. Crescendo A narrative short about sacrificing one’s passions to ensure the success of future generations, told through one hardworking South Asian immigrant’s perspective as a dishwasher and lover of classical music. I Hate Big Phony Navigating in between cultures, the soulful Korean singer-songwriter-guitarist Bobby Choy discusses his emotionally moving music and performs some of it too, lending insight into his life journey and what’s next for him. Facebook Event Page

Free

Titles are for Little Witches – Theater Performance

Fleisher Art Memorial 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

As part of our ongoing commitment to the community, PAAFF’16 will include a series of FREE screenings and live theater performances November 16-17 at Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. Titles are for Little Witches: The Salem Bitch Trials The world is full of bitches. Or is it witches? And are they talking about them or us? In this “discoveries we have made so far” showing, the Kaleid ensemble will explore the ways that the word “bitch” is used and history of witchcraft accusations to ask: What is power? How do we take it from each other? How do we claim it for ourselves? And who needs titles anyway? Approximately 55 minutes with audience talk back afterwards. Ensemble: Pratima Agrawal - Creator/Performer Nastassja Baset - Creator/Perfomer Gabriella Sanchez - Creator/Performer Sarah Mitteldorf - Creator/Director Daniel Ison - Sound Designer Gina Purri - Composer Tanaya Thomas - Choreographer Website: kaleidtheatre.org Kaleid Theatre is a project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia. Kaleid Theatre, as in kaleidoscope, as in collide, is a physical theatre ensemble. We are interested in how language, movement, music, and sound can come together to create a new, multi-sensory, multi-dimensional language, which allow us to explore issues that are not easy to talk about through one sense or dimension alone. The things that mean the most to our communities are often the hardest to articulate. They frequently deal with emotion, power hierarchy, the divine, trauma, transcendence, even voicelessness. To explore these themes, Kaleid layers consistent and conflicting languages from different mediums – such as text, movement, music, or sound. This method allows us to mirror the layered experience of consistent and conflicting emotions and ideas that embody these human experiences, and to explore them in a more honest and fully articulated way. Facebook Event Page 

Free

Comedy Shorts

Asian Arts Initiative 1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This FREE shorts program offers a diverse selection of comedy shorts starring AAPI actors and comedians. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-film Q&A. 3 Minutes At a local speed-dating event, a couple makes all-too-honest assessments of each other over the course of a three-minute conversation. Dirty Sock A man tries to prevent the future soiling of his sock using a digital time machine app. Moby Dick A comedic take at Korean culture, where circumcision is considered a necessity. Based on the filmmaker’s own high-school aged experience. First Date Deepak meets his future bride for the first time. She’s not exactly what he expected but everything he ever wanted. Almost Asian A comedy webseries created by Katie Malia that follows a half-Asian actress’ everyday life in Los Angeles. Each episode polaroids Katie’s personal and professional struggles with tongue-in-cheek humor as she awkwardly attempts to maneuver through life as a half-Asian woman. Facebook Event Page

Free

Painted Nails

Asian Arts Initiative 1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Synopsis: Van Hoang, a Vietnamese immigrant and nail salon owner, sees her American dream crumble as she discovers that her health problems, including two miscarriages, are the result of toxic chemicals in the products used in her salon. Painted Nails tells the story of her journey into activism as she becomes a leader in the fight for safe cosmetics. Audiences witness Van's transformation from a self-described shy woman who speaks minimal English to a forthright advocate who testifies before Congress. In Washington, DC, at hearings for the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act, Van, now a few months pregnant, steps forward to speak out not only for workers in nail salons, most of whom are Asian immigrants, but for all people exposed to the toxic chemicals in personal care products. Co-presented by VietLead facebook.com/vietlead/ Facebook Event Page 

$6 – $8

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