I am very proud to be co-presenting (along with Asiansploitation) a program of short films at this year’s Reel Asian Film Festival. It’s on Wednesday November 7th at 7:15pm at Innis Town Hall, and it’s called Once Lost, Now Found. Here are some details about the five films in the lineup:
MAGICAL COINCIDENCE
Director: Keith Lock | Canada 2012 | 22:00 | Director in Attendance
Two lonely souls are brought together by strange and fateful occurrences. Ostensibly a romantic comedy, the production of this film is unique; using a coin toss to dictate specific creative decisions including writing, casting, and production. Winner of Reel Asian’s 2011 So You Think You Can Pitch? Competition.
GUANG
Director: Quek Shio Chuan | Malaysia 2011 | 14:00 | Mandarin w/ English subtitles
While his younger brother pressures him to find a job, autistic Wen Guang is on a quest of his own for a very special glass. His obsession drives him and derails his brother’s good intentions. While his brother’s real-world concerns are legitimate, we cannot help but share in Wen Guang’s joy when he finally finds what he has been looking for.
OBAKE (GHOSTS)
Director: Christopher Makoto Yogi | USA 2012 | 13:00 | English and Japanese w/ Eng. subtitles
In lush Hawai’i, an elderly Japanese man lives out his final days in his country home, as this film weaves in and out of his memories. In dedication to the Nisei and Sansei cultures of Hawai’i, past and present converge on the island’s beguiling shores and in the elegant majesty of a single tree. This unconventional ghost story creates a unique, otherworldly feeling all its own.
108 PRAYER BEADS (108 PHRENG RDOG)
Director: Han Han Li | Canada 2012 | 8:20
Chaos and peace, darkness and light, life and death among the dualities cycling through the dynamic animation of 108 Prayer Beads. Transformation and movement, along with a compelling score, propel the spiritually steeped images through what seems like many other worlds.
THAT WHICH ONCE WAS
Director: Kimi Takesue | USA 2011 | 19:50 | Director in attendance
In the not-so-distant future, eight-year-old Vicente struggles with residual trauma from flooding that has left him homeless and orphaned. Kimi Takesue’s beautifully shot and contemplative short explores Vicente’s chance meeting and unexpected friendship with ice-carver Siku, who helps him confront memory and closure.
Tickets are just $12 ($10 for seniors and students) and are available online or at the door. Use the promo code community16 to save 25% on tickets bought online!