Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

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Tested

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

Synopsis: The gap in opportunities for different races in America remains extreme. Nowhere is this more evident than our nation"s top public schools. In New York City, where blacks and Hispanics make up 70% of the city"s school-aged population, they represent less than 5% at the city"s most elite public high schools. Meanwhile Asian Americans make up as much as 73%. This documentary follows a dozen racially and socio-economically diverse 8th graders as they fight for a seat at one of these schools. Their only way in: to ace a single standardized test. Tested includes the voices of such education experts as Pedro Noguera and Diane Ravitch as it explores such issues as access to a high-quality public education, affirmative action, and the model-minority myth. Directed by Curtis Chin, who is best known for his seminal film Vincent Who? about the killing of Vincent Chin, this feature doc offers an extensive look at the systemic inequalities facing students of color in NYC public schools. Facebook Event Page

$5 – $8

It Runs in the Family + LGBT Shorts

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

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 

Free

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

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

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

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

Mixed Match

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

Synopsis: With the multiracial community becoming one of the fastest growing demographics in North America, being mixed race is no longer just about identity, it can be a matter of life and death. Mixed Match tells an important human story from the perspective of mixed race blood cancer patients who are forced to reflect on their multiracial identities and complex genetics as they struggle to find bone marrow donors. An engaging reflection on changing demographics of American society that explores what role race plays in medicine.  Director Jeff Chiba Stearns and documentary subject Athena Asklipiadis expected in attendance for post-film Q&A.

$6 – $8

A Dialogue: Living Harmony １００年ごはん

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

Synopsis: This innovative documentary explores the burgeoning organic farming and slow food movements in Southern Japan, directed by sustainable Chef Chigumi Obayashi daughter of renowned Avant-garde filmmaker Nobuhiko Obayashi (House). Usuki is a small Japanese city with a population of only 41,000, but over 2,110 farms. Due in part to the important role of agriculture in the local economy, the people of Usuki are making efforts to ensure a safe and healthy food supply for future generations. Over the past decade government, farmers, businesses, and the public at-large have worked together to develop innovative farming methods, including the establishment of a compost plant and education about organic food for the general public. Their biggest accomplishment is the decision that all meals for schoolchildren must be supplied by local and organic providers. Despite challenges that improving organic food production presents, the people of Usuki offer an inspiring example for others around the world to follow. Director Chef Chigumi Obayashi in attendance for post-film Q&A. Facebook Event Page 

$6 – $8

Closing Night Documentary—An American Story: Norman Mineta & His Legacy

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