Lightbox Film Center
3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia
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
Lightbox Film Center
3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia
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
Lightbox Film Center
3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia
This FREE program includes feature film It Runs in the Family along with a showcase of three short films examining the intersectionality between AAPI and LGBTQ identity. It Runs in the Family A young gay Filipino Canadian artist, Jay Cabalu and his sister Joella travel from Vancouver to Manila to meet their other queer relatives. Reconciling issues of faith, sexuality, and family relationships; viewers are invited to accompany Jay on this personal journey as he reflects on his struggle with being gay and Roman Catholic. It Runs in the Family is an intimate exploration on acceptance and what the modern queer family can aspire to in the Filipino diaspora. Screened with program of LGBTQ themed short films. Gaysians Five queer and trans Asian-Americans from New York City explore their relationships with their family and culture in this patchwork documentary. The subjects share stories about their families, and in doing so, shed light on the com- plicated histories that have shaped these intimate and personal relationships. Arranged Two 20 something Indian Americans meet under family pressures to get an arranged marriage they don’t want but realize that actually going through it might be their best option. One is gay and the other wishes to pursue her own restaurant business. Nuoc An experimental narrative short film about a queer Vietnamese American teen who attempts to piece together and understand her mom’s experience as a Vietnam War refugee. Facebook Event Page
