Friday, March 18, 2005
Sadly, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival draws to a close
The movies that I saw, ranked:
Tied for first place: The Motel and 20:30:40
Tied for second place: Saving Face and Keka
A distant third: Unleashed
I wish I could have seen more, but between spending 75 bucks on 5 movies and getting home really late, I was drained.
The Motel was incredibly well made. I don't want to ruin this for anyone, so suffice it to say that this is a movie that just about anyone can relate to. It's great that there was an Asian American forum to release this Asian American movie made by Asian Americans; however, you don't have to be Asian American or a 12 year old chubby Chinese kid to be touched by this. Speaking of the 12 year old chubby kid, Jeffrey Chyau was so much fun to talk to at the festival. He and Sung Kang (Han from Better Luck Tomorrow) shared an anecdote after someone asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. The two of them were playing around in a BMW on the set of the film, and Jeffrey was messing around with all the controls inside the car and Sung was like, 'hey be careful, this is a borrowed car'. But Jeffrey would not be deterred, and he kept going, wow, this is so awesome. I want a car like this when I'm older. At which point Sung said something like "oh, good, so you'll pursue this acting thing?" Jeffrey goes, "no way! I said I want nice cars! I can't be an actor for that - I have to be a doctor!" The audience was rolling. He totally stole the show, both in the film, and after, and not in that obnoxious child-actor sorta way.
The director, Michael Kang, was equally impressive. As directors, he and Alice Wu of Saving Face really struck me with their humility, graciousness and understated manner. I know these guys are going places because they are so intelligent and they know how to get what they want in a demanding environment that leaves no room for mistakes. I can't wait to see what's to come from each of them.
Sylvia Chang's 20:30:40 was the most honest look at love and relationships done by women for women that I have ever seen. I think if you are a woman, this movie will touch you on a much deeper level, but that's not to say that men would not enjoy this movie as well. There is one scene in particular that I know men would enjoy, but I digress.
Keka was hilarious! Katya Santos, the lead actress of this dark comedy, was a scene-stealer. Adorable and charming beyond belief.
Joan Chen is gorgeous, intelligent, and generous. She did Saving Face for free because she knows how to give back. Seeing her in film is always a treat; seeing and hearing her speak at the Q&A was like a 10,000-calorie dessert.
I wish this festival could last for months.
