the living compilation

LAAPFF 2011: The Living Compilation Picks

I’ve been been lucky enough to be one of the features programmers for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival since 2008 and I think this is one of the strongest festivals since.  Plenty of diverse and overall high quality films all throughout the schedule.  Below are some of my favorites.  I have not seen this year’s opening night film, FAST FIVE, but you pretty much know what your getting there and I’m sure Justin Lin and the gang will bring the high octane (insert more car reference here because that’s all I got) entertainment.  

This may be my last year doing this, so hope you can come through and support a great event and something I’ve been passionate about for the last 4 years.

 
PERSONAL PICKS:

Excellent films that I have some real close connection to and has really struck a chord with me.

1. RAKENROL - I’m a sucker for movies about music,  but a movie about Filipino indie rock music?  No brainer!  Still, a well made and refreshing film.
My Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/rakenrol_2011

2. PINOY SUNDAY - Filipino migrant workers in Taipei.  Subtle and magical.  Plus, my cousin Epy Quizon is in it and he’s fantastic.
My Program Notes: http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/pinoy_sunday_2011

3. RESILIENCE - When you think you know a movie at face value, but the more involved you get the rewards become richer.
My Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/resilience_2011

4. BOY - Set in the 80’s about a Michael Jackson loving wild child and his completely wacky father.  And it’s in New Zealand!  Reminds me of those great John Duigan films from Australia in the late 80’s with a touch of Luhrman and the Coens.
My Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/boy_2011

EXCELLENT FILMS NOT TO BE MISSED:

1. THE LULU SESSIONS - On my short list of the best film I’ve seen this year.
Feng-Mei Heberer’s Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/the_lulu_sessions_2011

2. HOSPITALITÉ - A complex metaphor is packaged in quirkiness and deranged lunacy.
My Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/hospitalit_2011

3. SEESAW - I like movies about death.  So do the Japanese!
Vera DeVera’s Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/seesaw_2011

4. HEART BREAKS OPEN - Crushing and real.
Dara Kim’s Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/heart_breaks_open_2011

5. THE HOUSE OF SUH - Completely gripping crime doc.
Dara Kim’s Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/the_house_of_suh_2011

6. LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES - Violent and sick.  Couldn’t take my eyes off of it.  Amazing performances.
Vera DeVera’s Program Notes:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/living_in_seduced_circumstances_2011

Also:

GLOBAL PINAY STYLE (short film)

Check out homie, Mark Villegas’ latest short film about Hip Hop in the Philippines

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/global_pinay_style_2011

THE TIGER FACTORY

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/the_tiger_factory_2011

THE FLIP SIDE (10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SCREENING)

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/the_flip_side_2011

FINDING FACE

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/finding_face_2011

ENFORCING THE SILENCE

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/enforcing_the_silence_2011

WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/the_flip_side_2011

FOR THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE CHECK THE LAAPFF SITE: 

http://asianfilmfestla.org/2011/

Pinoy Films at the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

A great line up from all over the world, but I’d like to point out some feature films made by Pinoys.

CHILDREN METAL DIVERS  http://bit.ly/ahiIo7

• My programmer’s pick and a definite must see. Cinematographer Carlo Mendoza in attendance.  A beautiful achievement.  

MANILA SKIES   http://bit.ly/9IdbAM

• Cannes award winner Raymond Red returns.  He’ll be on hand for a Q&A. Another can’t miss.  A stunning work of art.

THE MOUNTAIN THIEF    http://bit.ly/a9VE3C

• Director Gerry Balasta will attend.  A unique film that provides direct humanitarian impact.

SF STORIES    http://bit.ly/clnhRW

• A good laugh at any film festival is usually hard to come by, but this year’s SF Stories provides some good quirky fun. 

2010 LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL - The Living Compilation Picks

This is my fourth year as part of the Features Programming Committee for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.  I must say it has been a rewarding and inspiring experience so far.  It is also a lot of work.  There are hundreds of films to watch and many probably shouldn’t be seen by human eyes.  But the ones that are good, and especially, the ones that are great makes the hours spent one hundred percent worth it. (Actually, even the ones the are sub-par you can take a lot from.  Filmmaking is a challenging endeavor that can consume ones life.  It takes a great deal of effort and passion.  When that is seen in the final product, then the experience is always rewarding.) 

2010 is no difference as there are some truly remearkable films in the lineup.  A few features I haven’t seen yet since some of the films are already sought after and chosen by Visual Communication staffers.  But in the hands of Abe, David and the rest, they are most likely worth your time.  These are the Big Events films and you should hurry and reserve your tickets as they sell out fast.

My picks are usually the films I also wrote the website and catalog notes for, but there are a few I did not have the opportunity to write about but would love to single them out as well.  

I’ll be posting about some of these individually as the festival nears, but here are some highlights so you can pencil them in your calendar if you are so moved to.

(CLICK THE BANNER ABOVE TO LINK YOU UP TO HE LAAPFF SITE!)

Hope to see you at the Festival!

1. CHILDREN METAL DIVERS (Baseco Bakal Boys)
   (Philippines, 2009) Dir.: Ralston Jover; Scr.: Ralston Jover, Henry Burgos
   Video, 88 min., color, narrative, in Tagalog w/ E.S.       SUNDAY, MAY 2 | CHILDREN METAL DRIVERS | PROGRAM 29 | 12:00 PM | DGA 2
2. MANILA SKIES (Himpapawid)
   (Philippines, 2009) Dir./Scr.: Raymond Red
   Video, 110 min., color, narrative, in Tagalog w/ E.S.       SATURDAY, MAY 1 | MANILA SKIES | PROGRAM 23 | 7:30 PM | DGA 2
3. MS. TU HAU (Chi Tu Hau)
   (Vietnam, 1962) Dir.: Pham Ky Nam; Scr.: Bui Duc Ai
   35mm, 78 min., black and white, narrative, in Vietnamese w/ E.S.    SUNDAY, MAY 2 | MS. TU HAU | PROGRAM 35 | 4:15 PM | DGA 2
4. ADRIFT (Choi Voi)
   (Vietnam, 2009) Dir.: Thac Chuyen Bui; Scr.: Phan Dang Di
   Video (originated on 35mm), 110 min., color, narrative, in Vietnamese w/ E.S.     WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 | ADRFIT | PROGRAM 55 | 7:00 PM | DWNTN
5. MY HEARTS BEATS
   (South Korea, 2009) Dir./Scr.: EunHee Huh
   Video, 110 min., color, narrative, in Korean w/ E.S.      SUNDAY, MAY 2 | ENCORE PRESENTATION | PROGRAM 30 | 12:00 PM | DGA 3
6. AOKI
   (United States, 2009) Dir./Wtr.: Ben Wang, Mike Cheng
   Video, 94 min., color, documentary    TUESDAY, MAY 4 | AOKI | PROGRAM 50 | 7:00 

Below are some other titles I have not yet seen but plan on doing so.  I recommend you do to as well!

• LYRICAL EMPIRE: HIP HOP IN METRO MANILA dir. Mark Villegas as part of WELCOME TO AIRLINE DOCU MUST SEE shorts program curated by Rochelle Lozada
• TODAY IS YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW dir. Wilfred Galila as part of OF FLESH AND SPIRIT shorts program curated by Abraham Ferrer
• AFTER GRACE dir. Huy Chheng as part of the shorts program LONG DISTANCE SHORT

Don’t forget to check out the programmer’s picks page where the rest of the programmers choose their personal favorites: 

http://asianfilmfestla.org/2010/films-events/programmers-picks/