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"goh nakamura" "david boyle" film cinema caam"Surrogate Valentine" "Daylight Savings" · ayako fujitani · caam · cinema · film · film movie · goh nakamura · movie · music · Reviews Cinema · Surrogate Valentine ·

Surrogate Valentine II = Daylight Savings

The film is actually called Daylight Savings. It’s debuting at the SXSW film festival, but a day later, it’s in SF. The tickets are available at CAAM. It’s the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. That’s Goh Nakamura (right) and Ayako Fujitani (left).  
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cinema · movies · News · Reviews Cinema · seediq bale · taiwan ·

Taiwan Cinema Renaissance on the Way – Seediq Bale

With a name that no one can pronounce? Is it like See Dick Bale? This is a not a joking matter except for when we tell it. This is the largest movie made funded by both John Woo and the Government – yes they’re becoming synonymous these days – at least by the movies he’s making. It’s epic at 24 million dollars and tells the aboriginal tale of a Taiwanese historical figure who fights against… that drum roll… the Japanese! Does he win? Just look up history and you’ll find out. According to Montreal Gazette – “Taiwanese cinema is in the midst of a renaissance,” says Peggy Chiao, Taiwanese film critic, professor and commercial producer. “It’s a question of national identity. For 20 years, Taiwan has been searching for its own distinctive identity. People want to see films that reflect who they are,” she says. The article does go on to explain more about Taiwan cinema, and how some of the actors are being favored in China thanks for their better Mandarin command than the Hong Kong actors. Will Seediq Bale provide any kind of cross over across the seas or across borders? Perhaps not, but it’s a start to yet another industry of entertainment aside from the internationally known films of Hou Hsiao Hsien. (Canada.com – Taiwan Movies)
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andrew ahn · cinema · film · korean american · Reviews Cinema · sundance ·

Filmmaker Makes Film To Come Out to Parents and Gets into Sundance

Sometimes, cinema isn’t just to tell a story. It’s has no exact ending. In this case, it’s a process that’ll take longer than the duration of the making and of the showing of his film. This is a touching Story written by Andrew Ahn, a Korean American and gay filmmaker who made his project to come out to his parents. This is the story. Andrew Ahn mentions, “I did this because I knew I wouldn’t be able to say the words “I’m gay.” I’ve tried many times; to sit my parents down on the couch and tell them. But by making a film, I’d have this train, this production pushing me forward. And by casting my parents in the film, I was forcing myself off the ledge. The filmmaking process both distracted and prepared me for the inevitable – that I would eventually have to show my parents the finished film.” (HuffPost – Andrew Ahn)
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cinema · hong kong · kung fu · movies · Reviews Cinema · run run shaw · shaw brothers ·

Run Run Shaw – Shaw Brothers Retiring at 104

At 104, it’s time to retire from TVB, his station and creation. He’s well known as a media mogul, however the indelible name of Shaw is synonymous with the 1000 movies many of which were exported in the 70s as Kung Fu flicks. He was knighted in 1977 if that gives you any idea of who he is as a Chinese man working in entertainment. His career has spanned and his legend will always continue. (Irish Times – Run Run Shaw)
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art · cinema · film · haruki murakami · movie · News · norwegian wood · Reviews Cinema · rinko kikuchi · tran anh hung ·

Norwegian Wood Ticket Giveaway Winners

It wasn’t easy to pick the 10 winners of the tickets for two to see Norwegian Wood. There were 60+ entries for the ten spots. They were picked by me based on whatever criteria I felt at the moment. There isn’t a “if I write more, I have a better chance” system. It could be how I felt at that moment and your short poetic words caught me off guard, maybe that’s how I picked. If you didn’t get in, please try again during our next giveaway. Some of your words were too generic, in a “let me in” type of way, but if you offered just a little more, you were in the running. Here’s my picks. (I left the editing part out, some probably wrote from their smart phones and some carefully crafted their words)

 

The 100% Perfect Girl

I’m a huge Haruki Murakami fan. I have his more recent books but unfortunately haven’t read Norwegian Wood. I loved 1Q84. I just found out about this movie a week ago and was stoked. I’d love to attend and already know “the 100% perfect girl” who would be my date, as she’s a big fan too!
Greg Wong

-Greg, you are the dark horse, there are fans of all of his books, fans of the filmmaker, and fans of the actors who aren’t getting in, but this “100% perfect girl” is intriguing. If there’s such a thing for you and you know who she is, I’m picking you just on that merit, so hurry and ask her.

 

Flipping!

oh, let me count the ways…

it was the first murakami book i read almost 20 years ago. and i read it in a tiny, tiny city in southeastern japan, so that made it even more special. i lived a long time in japan, and his books kept me grand company as the still do today. in fact, i just re-read norwegian wood about a month ago and it’s still a lovely little tome to me.

i’m very excited to see this movie, especially because rinko kikuchi is in it.

flipping love her!

ALSO, i speak/read/write japanese, am a member of the Japan Society here in new york, and have always loved me some Giant Robot.

so in closing:
PICK ME! PICK ME! PICK ME!

thanks!
Jennifer Andrews

-Jennifer, Yes, we love her too. I doubt she loves us back the same. The GR plug, a great move. Have a great time.

 

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