17th
annual San Francisco International
Asian
American Film Festival
The 17th annual
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival wowed
its audiences this year. From March 11-18, the National Asian
American Telecommunications Association presented a stunning collection
of films in celebration of Asian Pacific and Asian Pacific American
talent, visions, and dreams. Asian Connections correspondents
film reviewers Lenora Chu and Tom Chin were hot on the trail.
The festival opened with the highly acclaimed lyrical drama
Three Seasons. Bay Area native Tony Bui directs this exploration
of contemporary Vietnam and its chaotic tug-of-war with tradition.
At the 1999 Sundance film festival, Three Seasons took home the
dramatic Grand Jury prize, the Audience award in Dramatic Competition,
and the Cinematography award.
The world premiere of documentary film Citizen Hong Kong
closed the festivities March 18. Acclaimed editor and director
Ruby Yang chronicles Hong Kong's first year of Chinese rule against
a backdrop of tumultuous change, borrowed traditions and personal
drama. Ruby Yang and diarist Ed Wu participated in the Closing
Night Gala at the San Francisco Art Institute.
Between these two masterpieces, the festival offered cinematic
candy from all over the world. Countries represented include Taiwan,
Japan, Korea, India, Iran, Europe and the U.S. Documentaries abound
this year, including the Academy Award nominated films Sunrise
Over Tiananmen Square (short subject documentary) and Barbara
Sonneborn's Regret to Inform (documentary feature, an Oscar nominee
and Sundance '99 award winner for documentary directing).
The festival included feature-length gems as well as short
film directorial debuts. A plethora of shorts are grouped by subject,
addressing themes such as women's identity, dating, experimental
video and gay and lesbian life. And for children and adults alike,
animated feature Kiki's Delivery Service magically pulls you into
the life of a blooming teenage witch.
For
more information, visit www.naatanet.org/festival
or call 415-255-4299.
Click
here for a review of Tony Bui's Three Seasons
