Movie Box Review

I'm a huge fan of film festivals and have attended many Toronto Film Festival since 2007 and always share which ones are hitting town each week in Film Fan Fridays (which you can sign up for here).

Given that we have such a huge number of festivals here in Toronto, I decided in 2008 to create a listing of the festivals to anchor festivals past and also provide give us an idea of what future years may hold.

2011
2010
2009
2008

I'm a huge fan of film festivals and have attended many Toronto Film Festival since 2007 and always share which ones are hitting town each week in Film Fan Fridays (which you can sign up for here).

Given that we have such a huge number of festivals here in Toronto, I decided in 2008 to create a listing of the festivals to anchor festivals past and also provide give us an idea of what future years may hold.

2011
2010
2009
2008

The European Union Film Festival 2010 kicks off today and it's one festival that I'm always curious to see what they are going to bring to us every year. It's a unique festival in several ways, first of which - all of the screenings are FREE. Yep, free. Have to love that. I also love their festival goals, specifically "To celebrate the diversity of Europe in the heart of the most multicultural city in the world". I'm all for celebrating diversity, and there is tons of diversity to explore considering they have films from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. From those countries I will admit the first thing I do every year is see if they have a film from Latvia, because I'm part-Latvian myself (after seeing One Big Hapa Family at Reel Asian, I am resisting describing myself as a fraction!) I always cherish the opportunity to see and feel the connection in those films, even though I don't speak the language nor have ever been, that connection is still there. And there is this year with the Latvian film Rudolf's Gold.

There are many films, countries, cultures and languages to explore through and at the festival and it all starts tonight with the opening night films is Les Barons / The Barons (Belgium/France), a great comedy that works with the concept of thinking of life giving you a limited amount of 'step credits' and therefore not being in a rush to get anywhere. A great way to start the festival. Another very entertaining choice is the documentary Disco and Atomic War, one of two Estonian films playing back-to-back on Saturday November 20, 2010. Guests at the festival include actor Robert Wieckiewicz on the Sunday November 21, 2010 screening of All Will be Well.

There are lots of titles on my radar this year including Guillaume Canet Little White Lives / Les Petits Mouchoirs from France, What No One Knows / Det Som Ingen Ved from Denmark, How to Draw a Perfect Circle / Como Desenhar um Círculo Perfeito from Portugal and Among Us / Änglavakt from Sweden, but with so many choices there should certainly be something for everyone at this years festival.

Overall the festival features 22 films from 21 countries over it's 13 day run at The Royal here in Toronto. For more information check out the festival website, film list, schedule, country list and ticket information. All films screened with English subtitles.

The European Union Film Festival runs from November 18 - 30, 2010 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The European Union Film Festival 2010 kicks off today and it's one festival that I'm always curious to see what they are going to bring to us every year. It's a unique festival in several ways, first of which - all of the screenings are FREE. Yep, free. Have to love that. I also love their festival goals, specifically "To celebrate the diversity of Europe in the heart of the most multicultural city in the world". I'm all for celebrating diversity, and there is tons of diversity to explore considering they have films from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. From those countries I will admit the first thing I do every year is see if they have a film from Latvia, because I'm part-Latvian myself (after seeing One Big Hapa Family at Reel Asian, I am resisting describing myself as a fraction!) I always cherish the opportunity to see and feel the connection in those films, even though I don't speak the language nor have ever been, that connection is still there. And there is this year with the Latvian film Rudolf's Gold.

There are many films, countries, cultures and languages to explore through and at the festival and it all starts tonight with the opening night films is Les Barons / The Barons (Belgium/France), a great comedy that works with the concept of thinking of life giving you a limited amount of 'step credits' and therefore not being in a rush to get anywhere. A great way to start the festival. Another very entertaining choice is the documentary Disco and Atomic War, one of two Estonian films playing back-to-back on Saturday November 20, 2010. Guests at the festival include actor Robert Wieckiewicz on the Sunday November 21, 2010 screening of All Will be Well.

There are lots of titles on my radar this year including Guillaume Canet Little White Lives / Les Petits Mouchoirs from France, What No One Knows / Det Som Ingen Ved from Denmark, How to Draw a Perfect Circle / Como Desenhar um Círculo Perfeito from Portugal and Among Us / Änglavakt from Sweden, but with so many choices there should certainly be something for everyone at this years festival.

Overall the festival features 22 films from 21 countries over it's 13 day run at The Royal here in Toronto. For more information check out the festival website, film list, schedule, country list and ticket information. All films screened with English subtitles.

The European Union Film Festival runs from November 18 - 30, 2010 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Pre-Festival
Festival Preview 1
Festival Preview 2

Daily Coverage
Day 1 - Tuesday November 9, 2010
Day 3 - Thursday November 11, 2010
Day 5 - Saturday November 13, 2010
Day 6 - Sunday November 14, 2010

Film Reviews - Shorts
Auction, The
Dragged Out Affair: The Musical, A
Exit Upon Arrival
Film Concerto in Hanging Major
Marker
Peggy Baker: Four Phases
Wind + Snow
Window Horses (Karaoke Project)

Film Reviews - Features
Au Revoir Taipei
Bi, Don't Be Afraid
Dear Doctor
Eighteen
Gallants
Ip Man 2
One Big Hapa Family
Toilet

Vids
Team 2X Entertainment opening night live performance

Post-Festival Coverage
Wrap Up
Awards
Polls

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 ran from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Pre-Festival
Festival Preview 1
Festival Preview 2

Daily Coverage
Day 1 - Tuesday November 9, 2010
Day 3 - Thursday November 11, 2010
Day 5 - Saturday November 13, 2010
Day 6 - Sunday November 14, 2010

Film Reviews - Shorts
Auction, The
Dragged Out Affair: The Musical, A
Exit Upon Arrival
Film Concerto in Hanging Major
Marker
Peggy Baker: Four Phases
Wind + Snow
Window Horses (Karaoke Project)

Film Reviews - Features
Au Revoir Taipei
Bi, Don't Be Afraid
Dear Doctor
Eighteen
Gallants
Ip Man 2
One Big Hapa Family
Toilet

Vids
Team 2X Entertainment opening night live performance

Post-Festival Coverage
Wrap Up
Awards
Polls

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 ran from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Even though they added a few days this year, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival always goes by so quickly! There were many great films this year, and I loved that there was not one but two martial arts films (Ip Man 2 & Gallants), and there were tons of sweet and beautiful along with wonderful explorations and heartbreaking moments. But there was one that truly captivated me from start to finish and that was the short Peggy Baker: Four Phases, which was by far the best film I saw at the festival this year. Absolutely breathtaking. Even though that is the one that stole my heart, there were many films that were wonderful that I'd like to give credit where it is due. So here are my faves and final thoughts on this years festival.

Best Features: Eighteen, Au Revoir Taipei and Bi, Don't Be Afraid

Best Short: Peggy Baker: Four Phases

Still Has Me Thinking: Film Concerto in Hanging Major

Most Inspiring: One Big Hapa Family

Favourite Program: On the Flip Side (Canadian Shorts)

Fullest Screenings: This year everything I went to was very full although opening night of Gallants and Toilet were the fullest.

Repeating themes: Identity, family and love were all explored and I was happy to see 2 films with awesome kung fu (Ip Man 2 & Gallants).

Funnest collective experience: Opening Night Gallants screening with the fantastic Team 2X Entertainment live performance.

Wish I hadn't missed: Redress Remix program and Suite Suite Chinatown.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 ran from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Even though they added a few days this year, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival always goes by so quickly! There were many great films this year, and I loved that there was not one but two martial arts films (Ip Man 2 & Gallants), and there were tons of sweet and beautiful along with wonderful explorations and heartbreaking moments. But there was one that truly captivated me from start to finish and that was the short Peggy Baker: Four Phases, which was by far the best film I saw at the festival this year. Absolutely breathtaking. Even though that is the one that stole my heart, there were many films that were wonderful that I'd like to give credit where it is due. So here are my faves and final thoughts on this years festival.

Best Features: Eighteen, Au Revoir Taipei and Bi, Don't Be Afraid

Best Short: Peggy Baker: Four Phases

Still Has Me Thinking: Film Concerto in Hanging Major

Most Inspiring: One Big Hapa Family

Favourite Program: On the Flip Side (Canadian Shorts)

Fullest Screenings: This year everything I went to was very full although opening night of Gallants and Toilet were the fullest.

Repeating themes: Identity, family and love were all explored and I was happy to see 2 films with awesome kung fu (Ip Man 2 & Gallants).

Funnest collective experience: Opening Night Gallants screening with the fantastic Team 2X Entertainment live performance.

Wish I hadn't missed: Redress Remix program and Suite Suite Chinatown.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 ran from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ballots have been tallied and juries have had their say - time so see the results of the 2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Awards.

2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Award Winners

Reel Asian Audience Award
Winner: Naoko Ogigami for Toilet

NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award
Winner: One Big Hapa Family (dir: Jeff Chiba Stearns)

WIFT-T Award
Winner: Seeing Through the Spider's Web (Dir: Jane Kim)

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund Best Feature Film of Video Award
Winner: Dear Doctor (Dir: Miwa Nishikawa)

TSV Visionary Video Award
Winner: Redress Remix (Dir: Lesley Loksi Chan)

Animasian Award
Winner: Nature on its Course (Dir: Su-An Ng)

LIFT and Fuji Best Film Award
Winner: The Auction (Dir: Gloria Kim)

Movieola Best Short Film or Video Award
Winner: Junko's Shamisen (Dir: Sol Friedman)

So You Think You Can Pitch? Emerging Artist Award
Winner: Sugar Bowl. Shahrzad Nakhai (Producer/Director), Rich Williamson (Director of Photography)

So You Think You Can Pitch? Professional Artist Award
Winner: Searching for Wonder. Tricia Lee (Director), Ryan Reaney (Producer)

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 ran from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ballots have been tallied and juries have had their say - time so see the results of the 2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Awards.

2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Award Winners

Reel Asian Audience Award
Winner: Naoko Ogigami for Toilet

NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award
Winner: One Big Hapa Family (dir: Jeff Chiba Stearns)

WIFT-T Award
Winner: Seeing Through the Spider's Web (Dir: Jane Kim)

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund Best Feature Film of Video Award
Winner: Dear Doctor (Dir: Miwa Nishikawa)

TSV Visionary Video Award
Winner: Redress Remix (Dir: Lesley Loksi Chan)

Animasian Award
Winner: Nature on its Course (Dir: Su-An Ng)

LIFT and Fuji Best Film Award
Winner: The Auction (Dir: Gloria Kim)

Movieola Best Short Film or Video Award
Winner: Junko's Shamisen (Dir: Sol Friedman)

So You Think You Can Pitch? Emerging Artist Award
Winner: Sugar Bowl. Shahrzad Nakhai (Producer/Director), Rich Williamson (Director of Photography)

So You Think You Can Pitch? Professional Artist Award
Winner: Searching for Wonder. Tricia Lee (Director), Ryan Reaney (Producer)

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 ran from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Exploring family, heritage and asking questions were there themes of the afternoon on Day 6 of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival with the screenings of the Japanese drama Dear Doctor and documentaries Marker and One Big Hapa Family from Japanese Canadian directors. As day turned to night the festival location shifted from Innis to The Royal as the festival finished with day with the closing Gala screening of Au Revoir Taipei and awards ceremony.



Dear Doctor
Dir: Miwa Nishikawa
Cast: Tsurube Shofukutei, Eita, Kimiko Yo, Kaoru Yachigusa
Japan

Set in a Japanese village of 1,500 aged residents, Dear Doctor follows the stories in and around the disappearance of the village doctor Osamu Ino (played by Tsurube Shofukutei). Using a storytelling style that weaves perspective changes and occurrences between the villagers, Osamu himself, the new medical intern Keisuke Soma (played by Eita), and resistant patient Torikai-san we see many different sides of Osamu and the village itself. A captivating story that gentle unfolds and presents interesting questions surrounding health, happiness and knowledge. n With it's compelling dramatic nature, beautiful locations and stunning look into human nature, it's no surprize that Dear Doctor is a multiple award winning film. In fact, since the screening at Reel Asian it's already added another award to the mix with the award from Reel Asian for Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund Best Feature Film or Video Award.


One Big Hapa Family director Jeff Chiba Stearns and Marker director Louise Noguchi

Marker
Dir: Louise Noguchi
Canada, 28 minutes

A fascinating exploration through travels to shrines of martyrs in North America & Japan, delving into their stories, histories, the effect and reactions of people affected by them then and now. Very interesting exploration.

One Big Hapa Family
Dir: Jeff Chiba Stearns
Canada, 48 minutes

I absolutely adored this documentary! As a personal journey and exploration, director Jeff Chiba Stearns notices that in his own family tree everyone in his Japanese Canadian family married interracially after his grandparents. Starting with that as a departure point and delving into the family history but expands further into question and reality of the high percentage of interracial marriages of Japanese Canadians, as well as the experience and perception of multiracial identities and interracial marriages. There's a beautiful openness and curiosity that drives the film, which is always honest and respectful but also charming and funny throughout. It was a breath of fresh air and a true celebration of spirit. Filled with family interviews, a huge archive of family photos and videos and fantastic animations sections, this film kept me interested, engaged, informed and happily smiling throughout. A stellar and inspiring documentary.

See more or buy the DVD for One Big Hapa Family here.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Exploring family, heritage and asking questions were there themes of the afternoon on Day 6 of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival with the screenings of the Japanese drama Dear Doctor and documentaries Marker and One Big Hapa Family from Japanese Canadian directors. As day turned to night the festival location shifted from Innis to The Royal as the festival finished with day with the closing Gala screening of Au Revoir Taipei and awards ceremony.



Dear Doctor
Dir: Miwa Nishikawa
Cast: Tsurube Shofukutei, Eita, Kimiko Yo, Kaoru Yachigusa
Japan

Set in a Japanese village of 1,500 aged residents, Dear Doctor follows the stories in and around the disappearance of the village doctor Osamu Ino (played by Tsurube Shofukutei). Using a storytelling style that weaves perspective changes and occurrences between the villagers, Osamu himself, the new medical intern Keisuke Soma (played by Eita), and resistant patient Torikai-san we see many different sides of Osamu and the village itself. A captivating story that gentle unfolds and presents interesting questions surrounding health, happiness and knowledge. n With it's compelling dramatic nature, beautiful locations and stunning look into human nature, it's no surprize that Dear Doctor is a multiple award winning film. In fact, since the screening at Reel Asian it's already added another award to the mix with the award from Reel Asian for Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund Best Feature Film or Video Award.


One Big Hapa Family director Jeff Chiba Stearns and Marker director Louise Noguchi

Marker
Dir: Louise Noguchi
Canada, 28 minutes

A fascinating exploration through travels to shrines of martyrs in North America & Japan, delving into their stories, histories, the effect and reactions of people affected by them then and now. Very interesting exploration.

One Big Hapa Family
Dir: Jeff Chiba Stearns
Canada, 48 minutes

I absolutely adored this documentary! As a personal journey and exploration, director Jeff Chiba Stearns notices that in his own family tree everyone in his Japanese Canadian family married interracially after his grandparents. Starting with that as a departure point and delving into the family history but expands further into question and reality of the high percentage of interracial marriages of Japanese Canadians, as well as the experience and perception of multiracial identities and interracial marriages. There's a beautiful openness and curiosity that drives the film, which is always honest and respectful but also charming and funny throughout. It was a breath of fresh air and a true celebration of spirit. Filled with family interviews, a huge archive of family photos and videos and fantastic animations sections, this film kept me interested, engaged, informed and happily smiling throughout. A stellar and inspiring documentary.

See more or buy the DVD for One Big Hapa Family here.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Day 5 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival had family on the mind from the dysfunctional family in Toilet to the ruffled feathers of the families of a teenaged couple in Eighteen. Emotions were in the air and journeys were to be had!

Toilet
Dir: Naoko Ogigami
Cast: Alex House, Tatiana Maslany, David Rednall Masaki Motai
Canada/Japan

Dysfunctional family and culture run amok in Toilet, which had an absolutely packed house last night at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and had many of the cast & crew in attendance at the screening. The film certainly has it's Toronto roots showing as it was filmed here (although it's actually set in the US), with familiar faces & locations on screen. We follow a family through a dysfunctional and eccentric set siblings Ray, Lisa and Maury and their grandmother from Japan, however a language barrier exists between the generations. It's not the only barrier here as there are strong emotional barrier in each of the characters, all of whom have their own issues to work though. It's an interesting tale of the individual journeys with the collective family journey, which although unintended become completely intertwined.


Crew & cast from Toilet at the post screening Q&A

Eighteen
Dir: Jang Kun-Jee
Cast: Seo Jun-yeong, Lee Min-ji, Know Hyeok-pung
South Korea

A beautiful and bittersweet tale of young love, Eighteen follows eighteen year old Tae-Hoon and his girlfriend Mi-Jeong, who have hid their relationship from their respective families. It's a absolutely heart wrenching tale filled with truths of the heart on every front. The challenges Tae-Hoon and Mi-Jeong face expand beyond their romance, however you can feel how the weight of the relationship impacts every decision, action, agreement or conflict they engage in. I love how Eighteen combined a beautiful understated tone with such strong emotions and actions, and how it never pulled all punches. It's range is grand, from beautiful and sweet to brutal and sharp. It achieves a lovely experiential tone that allows the viewer in through a fantastic range of emotions, and it was quite the journey to take.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Day 5 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival had family on the mind from the dysfunctional family in Toilet to the ruffled feathers of the families of a teenaged couple in Eighteen. Emotions were in the air and journeys were to be had!

Toilet
Dir: Naoko Ogigami
Cast: Alex House, Tatiana Maslany, David Rednall Masaki Motai
Canada/Japan

Dysfunctional family and culture run amok in Toilet, which had an absolutely packed house last night at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and had many of the cast & crew in attendance at the screening. The film certainly has it's Toronto roots showing as it was filmed here (although it's actually set in the US), with familiar faces & locations on screen. We follow a family through a dysfunctional and eccentric set siblings Ray, Lisa and Maury and their grandmother from Japan, however a language barrier exists between the generations. It's not the only barrier here as there are strong emotional barrier in each of the characters, all of whom have their own issues to work though. It's an interesting tale of the individual journeys with the collective family journey, which although unintended become completely intertwined.


Crew & cast from Toilet at the post screening Q&A

Eighteen
Dir: Jang Kun-Jee
Cast: Seo Jun-yeong, Lee Min-ji, Know Hyeok-pung
South Korea

A beautiful and bittersweet tale of young love, Eighteen follows eighteen year old Tae-Hoon and his girlfriend Mi-Jeong, who have hid their relationship from their respective families. It's a absolutely heart wrenching tale filled with truths of the heart on every front. The challenges Tae-Hoon and Mi-Jeong face expand beyond their romance, however you can feel how the weight of the relationship impacts every decision, action, agreement or conflict they engage in. I love how Eighteen combined a beautiful understated tone with such strong emotions and actions, and how it never pulled all punches. It's range is grand, from beautiful and sweet to brutal and sharp. It achieves a lovely experiential tone that allows the viewer in through a fantastic range of emotions, and it was quite the journey to take.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I was really looking forward to Day 3 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival because I always anxiously away seeing the Canadian Shorts Presentation, this year it was On The Flip Side and it held a numerous fantastic short films for the packed audiences viewing pleasure. It's so great to see so many people come out and support the love of shorts, and they certainly did night! Lots of the filmmakers were in attendance for the Q&A as well, which made it all the more fun. I was particularly excited to see Howie Shia's short Peggy Baker: Four Phases which combined several different styles including different styles of animation and was so beautiful it brought me to tears. Twice. And it's a mere 5 minutes and 25 seconds. Absolutely beautiful. After the shorts presentation it was straight on into the screening of the compelling and award winning feature film Bi, Don't be Afraid! Overall, another great night at Reel Asian.



Above: Stills from Film Concerto in Hanging Major and The Auction

On The Flip Side - Canadian Shorts Presentation


Filmmakers in attendance (L-R): Paul Wong, Meelad Moaphi, the crew from A Dragged out Affair: The Musical and Gloria Kim

Let's have a look at a selection of the short film presentation On the Flip Side!

Exit Upon Arrival
Dir. Paul Wong - in attendance
Canada, 2 minutes

Fascinating short showing 2 images at once of literally going in (or out?) or a doors. I loved watching this one and trying to decided where to look, ponder what was happening and if the two images were the same or different. Very engaging.

Wind + Snow
Dir. Leslie Supnet
Canada, 4 minutes

Mesmerizing and contemplative, Wind + Snow blends a documentary and sensory experience with a sensitive look & feel using footage of wild animals and humans at play imagery with beautiful colour overlays and alterantions.

Film Concerto in Hanging Major
Dir. Meelad Moaphi - in attendance
Canada, 13 minutes

Darkly comedic informative look at suicide options. Very gutsy, dark and extremely well done. I kept having a flip flop reaction between being shocked and being impressed - although most times I was both shocked and impressed!

A Dragged out Affair: The Musical
Dir. Sonia Hong - in attendance
Canada, 10 minutes

Last years So You Think You Can Pitch? winner is this years short musical featuring drag queens and set in Toronto's own Church Street. Touching on rivals and romance this raunchy short went well to the rowdy crowd.

Window Horses (Karaoke Project)
Dir. Ann Marie Fleming
Canada, 5 minutes

Whimsical & touching this animated short had me smiling from start to finish as a we watch a singing stick figure muse about horses and family. Loved it.

Peggy Baker: Four Phases
Dir. Howie Shia
Canada, 5 minutes

I was really looking forward to this short and it completely blew me away and brought me to tears. A beautiful, creative look at the dancer Peggy Baker at work, this film blends visual styles and animation style bringing the story she is telling to life with an acute sensitivity and depth to not only what we are seeing but also what we are hearing and feeling. It's a formidable accomplishment showcasing extraordinary talent. Absolutely brilliant and certainly a highlight of the festival.

You can see this beautiful short Peggy Baker: Four Phases at the NFB Site here.

The Auction
Dir. Gloria Kim - in attendance
Canada, 17 minutes

Touching dramatic short on the immigrant experience from perspective of young Meehee, following her family during challenging times and decisions around the holiday season. I loved the tone of this short and the lovely sense of memories and nostalgia it created.



Bi, Don't be Afraid!
Dir. Phan Dang Di
Cast: Phan Thanh Minh, Nguyen Thi Kieu Trinh, Nguyen Ha Phong, Thuy Hoa, Tran Tien, Mai Chau
Vietnam/France/Germany

Bi, Don't be Afraid! is a calm and understated family drama following young Bi (Phan Thanh Minh), his mother (Nguyen Thi Kieu Trinh), father (Nguyen Ha Phong), aunt (Thuy Hoa), grandfather(Tran Tien) and the family nanny (Mai Chau) through their everyday lives, primarily though some very hot days. Their is a lot that is left unspoken in the film, and I'd be hard pressed to say I understood the significance of everything that happened in the film, but that didn't deter my enjoyment of it one bit. I found it compelling every step of the way from Bi's open curiosity and wonderous nature to his father's distance nature to his aunt's understated awkward ways. A truly beautiful film.


Reel Asian International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon points out the new premium seats that were raffled off at both screenings last night at the festival.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I was really looking forward to Day 3 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival because I always anxiously away seeing the Canadian Shorts Presentation, this year it was On The Flip Side and it held a numerous fantastic short films for the packed audiences viewing pleasure. It's so great to see so many people come out and support the love of shorts, and they certainly did night! Lots of the filmmakers were in attendance for the Q&A as well, which made it all the more fun. I was particularly excited to see Howie Shia's short Peggy Baker: Four Phases which combined several different styles including different styles of animation and was so beautiful it brought me to tears. Twice. And it's a mere 5 minutes and 25 seconds. Absolutely beautiful. After the shorts presentation it was straight on into the screening of the compelling and award winning feature film Bi, Don't be Afraid! Overall, another great night at Reel Asian.



Above: Stills from Film Concerto in Hanging Major and The Auction

On The Flip Side - Canadian Shorts Presentation


Filmmakers in attendance (L-R): Paul Wong, Meelad Moaphi, the crew from A Dragged out Affair: The Musical and Gloria Kim

Let's have a look at a selection of the short film presentation On the Flip Side!

Exit Upon Arrival
Dir. Paul Wong - in attendance
Canada, 2 minutes

Fascinating short showing 2 images at once of literally going in (or out?) or a doors. I loved watching this one and trying to decided where to look, ponder what was happening and if the two images were the same or different. Very engaging.

Wind + Snow
Dir. Leslie Supnet
Canada, 4 minutes

Mesmerizing and contemplative, Wind + Snow blends a documentary and sensory experience with a sensitive look & feel using footage of wild animals and humans at play imagery with beautiful colour overlays and alterantions.

Film Concerto in Hanging Major
Dir. Meelad Moaphi - in attendance
Canada, 13 minutes

Darkly comedic informative look at suicide options. Very gutsy, dark and extremely well done. I kept having a flip flop reaction between being shocked and being impressed - although most times I was both shocked and impressed!

A Dragged out Affair: The Musical
Dir. Sonia Hong - in attendance
Canada, 10 minutes

Last years So You Think You Can Pitch? winner is this years short musical featuring drag queens and set in Toronto's own Church Street. Touching on rivals and romance this raunchy short went well to the rowdy crowd.

Window Horses (Karaoke Project)
Dir. Ann Marie Fleming
Canada, 5 minutes

Whimsical & touching this animated short had me smiling from start to finish as a we watch a singing stick figure muse about horses and family. Loved it.

Peggy Baker: Four Phases
Dir. Howie Shia
Canada, 5 minutes

I was really looking forward to this short and it completely blew me away and brought me to tears. A beautiful, creative look at the dancer Peggy Baker at work, this film blends visual styles and animation style bringing the story she is telling to life with an acute sensitivity and depth to not only what we are seeing but also what we are hearing and feeling. It's a formidable accomplishment showcasing extraordinary talent. Absolutely brilliant and certainly a highlight of the festival.

You can see this beautiful short Peggy Baker: Four Phases at the NFB Site here.

The Auction
Dir. Gloria Kim - in attendance
Canada, 17 minutes

Touching dramatic short on the immigrant experience from perspective of young Meehee, following her family during challenging times and decisions around the holiday season. I loved the tone of this short and the lovely sense of memories and nostalgia it created.



Bi, Don't be Afraid!
Dir. Phan Dang Di
Cast: Phan Thanh Minh, Nguyen Thi Kieu Trinh, Nguyen Ha Phong, Thuy Hoa, Tran Tien, Mai Chau
Vietnam/France/Germany

Bi, Don't be Afraid! is a calm and understated family drama following young Bi (Phan Thanh Minh), his mother (Nguyen Thi Kieu Trinh), father (Nguyen Ha Phong), aunt (Thuy Hoa), grandfather(Tran Tien) and the family nanny (Mai Chau) through their everyday lives, primarily though some very hot days. Their is a lot that is left unspoken in the film, and I'd be hard pressed to say I understood the significance of everything that happened in the film, but that didn't deter my enjoyment of it one bit. I found it compelling every step of the way from Bi's open curiosity and wonderous nature to his father's distance nature to his aunt's understated awkward ways. A truly beautiful film.


Reel Asian International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon points out the new premium seats that were raffled off at both screenings last night at the festival.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The crowd lines up for the opening night screening of Gallants

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival opened to a packed house at the Bloor Cinema last night with fantastic screening of the martial arts homage film Gallants. The evening started off with thanks and speeches from Reel Asian executive director Sonia Sokamoto-Job, Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan and from the always inspiring Olivia Chow. The crowd was also treated to a high flying performance from Team 2X Entertainment, a group which blends martial arts, free-running, gymnastics and contemporary dance (see video clip from their fantastic performance here). All in all it was a great way to kick start the festival and I can't wait for more!


Olivia Chow at the Opening Night of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010



Gallants
Dirs: Clement Cheng & Derek Kwok
Cast: Bruce Leung, Chen Kuan-Tai, Wong Yue-nam, Teddy Robin, Susan Shaw, MC Jin, J.J. Jia
Hong Kong

Gallants is an interesting and hilarious homage to martial arts films, gleaning a familiar and fun visual style with a new take on the genres. It has lots of elements you'd expect in a martial arts films (rivals, a master, competition), but with very different spin on how it puts it all together, making unexpected and often hilarious choices. I loved that it defied expectations, and it often worked really well while it follows the inadvertent adventures that surround our protagonist Cheung, a rather floundering real estate worker who finds himself amongst foes & friends, be they new or old. This is were the fantastic casting is showcased as there are many familiar faces in the mix, who get lots opportunity to shows their stuff with the numerous great fight sequences.

Although the focus of the film is certainly the comedy and the martial arts, I absolutely adored that it featured people from different generations in action. It's something that we don't always see, and it was refreshing to see a level of equality on that level amongst the characters in the film.

Gallants was a great way to start off the festival and to see with the audience, you could feel the enthusiasm during the fights and the comedy went over extremely well.

Director Clement Cheng in attendance to introduce the film as well for a Q&A after the film where he shared that the casting was in place first and then it was written and developed, the support from producer Andy Lau, and that even though they had stunt men on site the actors did their own stunts noting that the stunt men couldn't do what *they* could do. There was no wire work nor any computer effects in terms of the fighting, and they also had a chiropractor on site to attend to the actors and help recover from filming the fight sequences.


Reel Asian International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon with Gallants co-director Clement Cheng


The Team 2X Entertainment performance was too fast to capture in a picture - check out a clip from their fantastic performance here.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The crowd lines up for the opening night screening of Gallants

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival opened to a packed house at the Bloor Cinema last night with fantastic screening of the martial arts homage film Gallants. The evening started off with thanks and speeches from Reel Asian executive director Sonia Sokamoto-Job, Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan and from the always inspiring Olivia Chow. The crowd was also treated to a high flying performance from Team 2X Entertainment, a group which blends martial arts, free-running, gymnastics and contemporary dance (see video clip from their fantastic performance here). All in all it was a great way to kick start the festival and I can't wait for more!


Olivia Chow at the Opening Night of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010



Gallants
Dirs: Clement Cheng & Derek Kwok
Cast: Bruce Leung, Chen Kuan-Tai, Wong Yue-nam, Teddy Robin, Susan Shaw, MC Jin, J.J. Jia
Hong Kong

Gallants is an interesting and hilarious homage to martial arts films, gleaning a familiar and fun visual style with a new take on the genres. It has lots of elements you'd expect in a martial arts films (rivals, a master, competition), but with very different spin on how it puts it all together, making unexpected and often hilarious choices. I loved that it defied expectations, and it often worked really well while it follows the inadvertent adventures that surround our protagonist Cheung, a rather floundering real estate worker who finds himself amongst foes & friends, be they new or old. This is were the fantastic casting is showcased as there are many familiar faces in the mix, who get lots opportunity to shows their stuff with the numerous great fight sequences.

Although the focus of the film is certainly the comedy and the martial arts, I absolutely adored that it featured people from different generations in action. It's something that we don't always see, and it was refreshing to see a level of equality on that level amongst the characters in the film.

Gallants was a great way to start off the festival and to see with the audience, you could feel the enthusiasm during the fights and the comedy went over extremely well.

Director Clement Cheng in attendance to introduce the film as well for a Q&A after the film where he shared that the casting was in place first and then it was written and developed, the support from producer Andy Lau, and that even though they had stunt men on site the actors did their own stunts noting that the stunt men couldn't do what *they* could do. There was no wire work nor any computer effects in terms of the fighting, and they also had a chiropractor on site to attend to the actors and help recover from filming the fight sequences.


Reel Asian International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon with Gallants co-director Clement Cheng


The Team 2X Entertainment performance was too fast to capture in a picture - check out a clip from their fantastic performance here.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

One of the highlights of the festival calender falls during November here in Toronto with the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, which kicks into gear tonight with a high flying Hong Kong film Gallants as the Opening Night Gala selection and homage to old school martial arts. What a great way to start the festival - I can't wait to see that with a packed audience!! More spectacular titles at the festival include the Centrepiece Presentation of Golden Slumber from director Yoshihiro Nakamura who brought us the fantastic Fish Story / Fisshu sutôrî which screened at last year festival. The festival will conclude with the beautiful Closing Night Gala of Au Revoir Taipei, which has it's Toronto premiere at the festival and director Arvin Chen in attendance at the screening.

More exciting titles at the festival include the award winning films Bi, Don't Be Afraid, Dear Doctor, Dooman River, Oxhide II and Eighteen. I always look forward to the shorts programs which this year included On the Flip Side, Redress Remix and Drawing on the Art of Hand & Foot. This year also spotlights Oscar-nominated Koji Yamamura with Koji Yamamura: The Mastery of the Form a screening of a selection of shorts. The festival continues all week and brings us films from all over the world including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China, The Philippines, Hong Kong as well as USA & Canada.

I'll be covering the festival all week here at Movie Moxie so be sure to check back for my daily updates! I've already got this started with a preview of with reviews of films that bookend of the festival including Ip Man 2 and Au Revoir Taipei. It looks to be yet another great year of film and fun at Reel Asian!

For more information, check out the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival: Website, How to Buy Tickets, Full Festival Schedule, Industry Series Information and Venue Information and Festival Awards & Jury Information. Also see the Reel Asian Facebook Page and you can follow the festival on Twitter.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

One of the highlights of the festival calender falls during November here in Toronto with the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, which kicks into gear tonight with a high flying Hong Kong film Gallants as the Opening Night Gala selection and homage to old school martial arts. What a great way to start the festival - I can't wait to see that with a packed audience!! More spectacular titles at the festival include the Centrepiece Presentation of Golden Slumber from director Yoshihiro Nakamura who brought us the fantastic Fish Story / Fisshu sutôrî which screened at last year festival. The festival will conclude with the beautiful Closing Night Gala of Au Revoir Taipei, which has it's Toronto premiere at the festival and director Arvin Chen in attendance at the screening.

More exciting titles at the festival include the award winning films Bi, Don't Be Afraid, Dear Doctor, Dooman River, Oxhide II and Eighteen. I always look forward to the shorts programs which this year included On the Flip Side, Redress Remix and Drawing on the Art of Hand & Foot. This year also spotlights Oscar-nominated Koji Yamamura with Koji Yamamura: The Mastery of the Form a screening of a selection of shorts. The festival continues all week and brings us films from all over the world including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China, The Philippines, Hong Kong as well as USA & Canada.

I'll be covering the festival all week here at Movie Moxie so be sure to check back for my daily updates! I've already got this started with a preview of with reviews of films that bookend of the festival including Ip Man 2 and Au Revoir Taipei. It looks to be yet another great year of film and fun at Reel Asian!

For more information, check out the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival: Website, How to Buy Tickets, Full Festival Schedule, Industry Series Information and Venue Information and Festival Awards & Jury Information. Also see the Reel Asian Facebook Page and you can follow the festival on Twitter.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2010 runs from November 9 - 15, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada