The Reel Asian Film Festival is set to take place November 8 to 16, 2018Â throughout the greater Toronto area once again. Canada’s top pan-Asian Festival is now in its 22nd year, announcing its lineup earlier today. Over 50% of the 62 Films at Reel Asian are from a diverse 16 regions this year, 50% directed by women.
In addition to some high-profile titles, Reel Asian introduces for the first time ever, a VR Installation. Homestay is brought to us by Creator Paisley Smith. It takes us right inside one family’s experience with international students, looking at immersion, clash and what we can take away from it.
Canadian Director Min Sook Lee is spotlighted with her Film, Hogtown: The Politics of Policing returning to the screen after its award-winning debut at Hot Docs more than ten years ago. It takes another look how the Toronto Police Services Board stands today versus then. A panel discussion is to follow.
Some of the marquee Films at Reel Asian this year:
Opening Night Gala, eight-time Golden Horse Award nominee DEAR EX
RAMEN SHOP
Legendary Hong Kong Band Wynners’ Biopic, HOUSE OF THE RISING SONS
Closing Night Gala WISH YOU WERE HERE
Tickets are on sale now here.
(Photo/video credit: Reel Asian)
Now in its 21st year, the Reel Asian Film Fest runs in Toronto from November 9-18, 2017.
The annual Festival has stamped itself as a fixture in the City giving lovers of contemporary Asian Cinema a public forum to share their bond. Highlighted by Opening Film DEAR ETRANGER from Director Yukiko Mishima (she will be in attendance) there are several Films giving Movie Lovers an array of options and genres to choose from. STAND UP MAN will be wrap the Festival also as the official Closing Night Gala.
Above this, there will be an In-Conversation-With spotlighting Canadian talent and the Cast of CBC’S Kim’s Convenience too will be appearing at the Festival on November 15, 2017 at Glenn Gould Studio. The Festival also will be offering free screenings for students and seniors before 5:00 PM.
Our SiobhĂĄn Rich (@Typo_Eh) had the chance to preview one of the Festival’s marquee titles, BAD GENIUS, which she tells us in the one Film you must see at the Festival!
Bad Genius
Most Heist Movies follow a formula that ends with the hero walking away with vast sums of stolen money. In Thai Director Nattawut Poonpiriyaâs new Film Bad Genius, her ragtag group of thieves arenât hardened criminals looking to take down a casino but rather teenagers looking to ace their exams.
Scholarship student Lynn (Chutimon Chuengcharoensuking) is one of the smartest students at her elite high school. Her friend Grace (Eisaya Hosuwan), however, isnât terribly bright so the two hatch a scheme to help Grace pass an important math test. News of Graceâs extra assistance gets around and soon Lynn is helping dozens of people in her year achieve better grades. With the biggest test of the year on the line Lynn, Grace, and their friends devise a plan that will take Lynn to Sydney where she must take the most important test of all their lives.
Although people may make parallels to 2004âs The Perfect Score, Bad Genius stands as a far more interesting and inventive premise. The plot twists are unexpected adding to the tension, particularly during the climactic Third Act. While the Filmâs dĂ©nouement is less than satisfactory, a sharp script and strong performances make Bad Genius a must-see at this yearâs Reel Asian Film Festival.
See the Trailer:
More on the Festival here.
(Photo credit: Reel Asian)
The 20th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival kicks off today, running through Saturday, November 19, 2016. With 77 titles from 11 regions, the Festival this year will devote a bit of focus to Hong Kong Filmmakers with two feature Films and three Shorts coming from the territory.
In town to ring-in the occasion courtesy of the Festival and the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (Toronto), is Actor/Filmmaker Derek Tsang, son of Chinese Cinema and Television icon, Eric Tsang. His Film SoulMate has the honour of opening the Festival at Isabel Bader Theatre.
A collaboration between Mainland China and Hong Kong, SoulMate has opened to great Box Office and critical success in China and just opened in Hong Kong a couple weeks back. Tsang speaks at a junket for the Festival held at Ramen hotspot Momofuku in Toronto, recalling his journey as a Filmmaker after graduating from University of Toronto, heading to Hong Kong to enter the entertainment business.
He landed his first job with respected Producer Peter Chan, knowing little at the time about film production. After branching out from acting into filmmaking, it was Chan who reached out to him after seeing his debut effort, Lover’s Discourse, which too premiered at Reel Asian. Confident that he had enough raw talent but needing still the help of a good Producer and guidance to marketing a Film in Mainland China, it took about five years before they both landed upon on a project they both thought was the right fit.
The project would become SoulMate, adapted from a 21-page Novella which he later learned was a well-loved by many Chinese women growing up in the ’80s. He promised to ardent fans on the internet of the Novella,  to be faithful to the story seeing how it was such an important part of the social conscience for many women.
I ask Tsang how his experience growing-up in Canada has helped him today as a Filmmaker. He says, “It’s taught me about diversity. Canada is a multicultural country, where we respect each other’s cultures”.  Being from Hong Kong and working in Mainland China, he admits “As a Filmmaker going to China, it was a big culture shock. My experience in Canada helped me make a Film where I was not looking in as an outsider, but someone that understands how Chinese citizens live.”. He spent much time in China before making the Film to immerse himself in the local culture.
See the Trailer for SoulMate:
See some Snaps of Tsang:
We also are hearing positive buzz on Weeds on Fire at the Festival.
Contributors David Baldwin and Siobhån Rich preview for us a few titles at Reel Asian, including SoulMate.
SoulMate – Review by David Baldwin
July and Ansen become best friends instantly at the age of 13, and are practically inseparable. But by the time they are 15, they begin to drift apart â each taking a radically different path with their life.
There is something inherently beautiful about SoulMate. Director Derek Tsang allows the Film to really hone-in on what it means to be friends, and the emotional toll that time and age takes on all of us. The Film has a habit of meandering through certain time periods before jumping into fascinatingly chaotic montages of others. Tsangâs message about friendship (and his darker messages about societal norms) get lost in some of these whirlwind moments, allowing the Film to fall into ridiculously predicable plot tropes â although a third act twist really shakes things up during the finale. The lead performances by Ma Sichun as July and especially Zhou Dongyu as Ansen more than make up for the plotâs flaws. They bring just the right amount of genuine emotion to their roles, making their charactersâ multi-year journeys feel both real and downright devastating.
The Bacchus Lady – Review by SiobhĂĄn Rich
After a stunning debut at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival, E J-yongâs The Bacchus Lady has finally arrived in Toronto. The Film centers on So-young (Youn Yuh-jung), a sixty-five-year-old woman who ekes out a living as a prostitute in a society where many senior citizens are destitute. Her life becomes more complicated after taking in Min-ho, a half-Filipino boy whose mother is arrested in the Filmâs opening minutes. To make matters worse, her clients have begun asking for far more than simple transactions for sex.
The smartly-written script defies convention at every turn even discussing the economic realities of South Korea and âyoung vaginasâ in one awkwardly earnest five-minute conversation. Whether the Film is attempting to enlighten viewers about the difficulties of old age or the painful indignities of sex work, director J-yongâs lens never wavers. In a scene that could easily turn crass he captures the juxtaposition of So-young having sex in a park on a bed of fallen leaves with the hollow look in her eyes as she takes in the barren trees around her.
The Bacchus Lady is a must-see during the Festival for its poignant story and brilliant performance by lead actress Youn Yuh-jung.
Tyrus – Review by David Baldwin
Tyrus is a Documentary telling the true story of little known artist Tyrus Wong, who celebrated his 105th birthday last year. His style helped shape and influence the look of the landmark Disney classic Bambi from 1942. After getting fired from the studio, he went on to work as an artist within the Film industry for the next three decades.
Director Pamela Tom briskly runs through the highlights of Wongâs life beginning as a Chinese immigrant in the 1920s, all the way through his multitude of works and career achievements. She fills in the gaps through interviews with Wong himself, animation historians, artists and family members. The Doc briefly glazes over some of the xenophobic struggles Wong and other Asian artists faced before, during and after World War II, as well as some family tragedies. But neither subject seems to merit much depth or discussion. Tom just seems content focusing on Wong, his work and the indelible impression his art made at the time and continues to make today.
More on the 2016 TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL here including schedule and Films.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Hong Kong Cinema Legend Simon Yam since the ’70s has charmed Fans of Chinese Television and Film and in a rare visit to the City, the Star descended upon Toronto in support of his Directorial Debut, Tales from the Dark 1. The Horror Film is the first of three parts, premiering at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival tonight at The Royal.
Yam drew an at-capacity Crowd to the Venue for the Film in which he also stars in addition to helming, surprising Fans with Photo Ops following the Screening. On how to make it through a Horror Film with a loved one, he told the Audience tonight, “Hold her hand if she’s scared. Even if you’re not scared, pretend”, drawing laughter from the Crowd.
I have fond memories watching Chinese TV Dramas with my Mom as a Child, some of the most memorable ones which starred Yam who back then was relegated to Supporting Roles before eventually going on to become a bankable Leading Man at the Box Office. In 2010, he was awarded Best Actor for his work in Echoes of the Rainbow at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards, proving his longevity as a Star. He made his North American debut back in 2003 starring in Lara Croft Tomb Raider, alongside Angelina Jolie.
See the Trailer for eerie Tales from the Dark below:
Although I just missed the tail-end of Yam‘s appearance tonight at The Royal due to work, I did manage to catch him in the nick of time before leaving town. The Actor, who lives in Hong Kong with his Supermodel Wife Qi Qi and Daughter Ella, was amazingly nice and actual v. fluent in English.  And for being 58, he actually looks amazingly stylish and youthful – showing exactly why he is widely regarded in Asia as a Sex Symbol! “We’re going to take two Pictures okay?”, he tells me gratuitously. Yam was surprised that I was fluent in Cantonese, surprised that I was actually born in Canada.  Not confident our Photos turned out, he ensured I double-checked to make sure I was happy with our Snaps.
You be the judge!
Now in its 17th year, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival continues around the City until Saturday, November 16, 2013. More details here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Movie Addict Productions)
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