Movie Box Review

Pre-Festival
Festival Preview

Daily Coverage
Day 1 - Tuesday November 15, 2011
Day 3 - Thursday November 16, 2011
Day 4 - Friday November 17, 2011
Day 5 - Saturday November 18, 2011
Day 6 - Sunday November 19, 2011

Special Presentations & Programs
Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior
Trailblazers

Film Reviews - Features
Bleak Night / Pasuggun
Eternity / Tee rak
JUMP ASHIN!
Lover's Discourse /Leun yan sui yu
Pearls of the Far East
Piercing 1
Saigon Electric
Surrogate Valentine
When Love Comes / Dang Ai Lai De Shi Hou

Film Reviews - Shorts
Drummer's Passion, A
Granny's Rock / Babah No Rock
Totte Mitsu, Let's Go to Russia

Post-Festival
Awards
Movie Moxie Podcast 52: Reel Asian Wrap Up
Wrap Up

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Pre-Festival
Festival Preview

Daily Coverage
Day 1 - Tuesday November 15, 2011
Day 3 - Thursday November 16, 2011
Day 4 - Friday November 17, 2011
Day 5 - Saturday November 18, 2011
Day 6 - Sunday November 19, 2011

Special Presentations & Programs
Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior
Trailblazers

Film Reviews - Features
Bleak Night / Pasuggun
Eternity / Tee rak
JUMP ASHIN!
Lover's Discourse /Leun yan sui yu
Pearls of the Far East
Piercing 1
Saigon Electric
Surrogate Valentine
When Love Comes / Dang Ai Lai De Shi Hou

Film Reviews - Shorts
Drummer's Passion, A
Granny's Rock / Babah No Rock
Totte Mitsu, Let's Go to Russia

Post-Festival
Awards
Movie Moxie Podcast 52: Reel Asian Wrap Up
Wrap Up

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Every year Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival goes by so quickly! I caught films on almost every day of the fest and enjoyed each and every one of them, and I especially enjoyted the Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior that included short films, excerpts and live performances. Overall, there were so many films and experiences to enjoy from the World Premiere of Pearls of the Far East to the inspiring based on a true story gymnast/gangster flick JUMP ASHIN! and lots of fun Q&A's to boot. Here's a look at some of my my faves and final thoughts on this years festival.

Best Features: Pearls of the Far East and JUMP ASHIN!

Best Short: A Drummer's Passion

Still Has Me Thinking: Eternity and Bleak Night

Most Inspiring: JUMP ASHIN! and Saigon Electric

Favourite Program: Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior

Best Performances: Lee Je-Hoon, Seo Jun-Young & Park Jung-Min in Bleak Night

Best Day: Day 5 with Bleak Night, When Love Comes and JUMP ASHIN!

Fullest Screenings: Pearls of the Far East and Lover's Discourse

Repeating themes: Love, Shifting Power Dynamics, Family and Beauty

Funnest collective experience: Opening Night serenade by CHOIR!CHOIR!CHOIR! (see here and here)

Wish I hadn't missed: Shorts Programs & Overheard 2

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Every year Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival goes by so quickly! I caught films on almost every day of the fest and enjoyed each and every one of them, and I especially enjoyted the Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior that included short films, excerpts and live performances. Overall, there were so many films and experiences to enjoy from the World Premiere of Pearls of the Far East to the inspiring based on a true story gymnast/gangster flick JUMP ASHIN! and lots of fun Q&A's to boot. Here's a look at some of my my faves and final thoughts on this years festival.

Best Features: Pearls of the Far East and JUMP ASHIN!

Best Short: A Drummer's Passion

Still Has Me Thinking: Eternity and Bleak Night

Most Inspiring: JUMP ASHIN! and Saigon Electric

Favourite Program: Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior

Best Performances: Lee Je-Hoon, Seo Jun-Young & Park Jung-Min in Bleak Night

Best Day: Day 5 with Bleak Night, When Love Comes and JUMP ASHIN!

Fullest Screenings: Pearls of the Far East and Lover's Discourse

Repeating themes: Love, Shifting Power Dynamics, Family and Beauty

Funnest collective experience: Opening Night serenade by CHOIR!CHOIR!CHOIR! (see here and here)

Wish I hadn't missed: Shorts Programs & Overheard 2

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

The Award Winners have been announced for the 2011 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and I again have a strikingly odd luck of going to see all the films *but* the award winners. Well, there is still a possibility in the Audience Award which will be announced soon. Until then, let's look at the results:

2011 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Award Winners

Reel Asian Audience Award
Winner Announced: JUMP ASHIN!

Animasian Award
Winner: In a Pig's Eye, (Dir: Atsushi Wada)

Fasken Martineau Best Feature or Video Award
Winner: Buddha Mountain (Dir: Li Yu)

National Bank Best First Feature Film Award
Winner: The Journals of Musan (Dir: Park Jungbum)

Movieola Best Short Film or Video Award
Winner: A Winter Song / Une chanson d'hiver (Dir: Aonan Yang)

NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award
Winner: Muybridge Strings / Les cordes de muybridge (dir: Koji Yamamura)

WIFT-T Award
Winner: The Sugarbowl (Dirs: Shasha Nakhai & Rich Williamson)

So You Think You Can Pitch? Emerging
Winner: Stephanie Law, LITTLE MISS JIHAD

So You Think You Can Pitch? Established
Winner: Keith Lock, THE MAGIC CHARM

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

The Award Winners have been announced for the 2011 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and I again have a strikingly odd luck of going to see all the films *but* the award winners. Well, there is still a possibility in the Audience Award which will be announced soon. Until then, let's look at the results:

2011 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Award Winners

Reel Asian Audience Award
Winner Announced: JUMP ASHIN!

Animasian Award
Winner: In a Pig's Eye, (Dir: Atsushi Wada)

Fasken Martineau Best Feature or Video Award
Winner: Buddha Mountain (Dir: Li Yu)

National Bank Best First Feature Film Award
Winner: The Journals of Musan (Dir: Park Jungbum)

Movieola Best Short Film or Video Award
Winner: A Winter Song / Une chanson d'hiver (Dir: Aonan Yang)

NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award
Winner: Muybridge Strings / Les cordes de muybridge (dir: Koji Yamamura)

WIFT-T Award
Winner: The Sugarbowl (Dirs: Shasha Nakhai & Rich Williamson)

So You Think You Can Pitch? Emerging
Winner: Stephanie Law, LITTLE MISS JIHAD

So You Think You Can Pitch? Established
Winner: Keith Lock, THE MAGIC CHARM

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Reel Asian 2011 Day 6 including reviews of Eternity, Surrogate Valentine & Pearls of the Far East (World Premiere)


Day 6 was the final day of Reel Asian and I did another triple bill of afternoon & early evening screenings all of which had a theme of life and love. I started out with the Thai film Eternity which centred not only on life and love and love that persists through our corporeal life into the spiritual realm. Then it was time to hit the road in the American West Coast music & road movie of meta-licious proportions that travelled through from San Francisco to Seattle to LA and had lots talk of and missed encounters along the way and then ended off with the sold-out World Premiere of Pearls of the Far East which was a lovely romance anthology film gorgeously shot & set in Vietnam.

That was the final film I saw for this year but Day 6 closed out with a screening of Buddha Mountain and their awards ceremony and will continue next weekend with screenings up in Richmond Hill on November 18 & 19, 2011.



Eternity
Dir: Sivoroj Kongsakul
Cast: Wanlop Rungkamjad, Namfon Udomletlak, Prapas Amnuay, Pattraporn Jaturanrasmee
Thailand

Eternity is one of the films that I'm really glad I read the programming not, because knowing it was about spiritual beliefs and the connection of love beyond our corporeal life really made a difference going in. The pacing is very gentle, which created an atmosphere that shifted my perception of time as although we spent what felt like a long time with the characters that felt like no where near the actual amount of time that they spend with each other in the same moments, or through their lives and beyond. I thought it was a very sophisticated demonstration of pairing time with emotion and in particular though the shaping of a relationship though a courting phase and how it grows and becomes more strong and substantial the more two people get to know each other. I know that the pace won't suit everyone’s fancy, but if you enjoy getting absorbed in real-time moments of life and relationships, Eternity is one for you. I really enjoyed it.



Surrogate Valentine
Dir: Dave Boyle (White on Rice)
Cast: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops
USA

Surrogate Valentine is a road trip/music/romance film that give the feeling that it blurs the line between reality and fiction as it features Goh Nakamura, the musician playing Goh Nakamura, a musician. Going into the film I wasn't sure how that was going to work and I'm not always a fan of meta films when they feature someone playing themselves, but I was completely won over by Surrogate Valentine. It has a charming way of giving you all the little moments that you think couldn't work in this format, shows them not working and then somehow it sneaks up on you and makes them all work. I have no idea how they did it, especially because it has even more meta layers that felt like they could be confusing, but weren't and rather just make me laugh or smile or cheer for the characters and hope that they make it through their troubles along the way. It has some brutal truth as well as beautiful honesty and a fantastic soundtrack to boot. I adored it.


Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung with Surrogate Valentine director Dave Boyle and star Goh Nakamura


Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung with Surrogate Valentine director Dave Boyle and star Goh Nakamura



Pearls of the Far East
Dir: Cuong Ngo
Cast: Ngo Thanh Van, Truong Ngoc Anh, Nhu Quynh, Hong Anh, Kieu Chinh
Canada/Vietnam

It was really exciting to be at the World Premiere of Pearls of the Far East on the closing day of Reel Asian this year, there literally was not an empty seat in the house and the energy was electric. From the moment the film started it had me almost in tears at its beauty, with its lush landscapes and vibrant colours that popped off the screen. And that is just the setting! Add to that the heartfelt stories and gorgeous cast and we are in for a wonderful journey through a beautiful anthology of love stories. Pearls of the Far East showcases stories of love from childhood up to and through adulthood and of many different types of love. It was interesting that most, but not all, were from the perspective of women and I loved how all of the stories dealt with but in so many different ways from childhood love to love found, from forbidden love and lost love. I loved the diversity of stories, the amazing portrayals of a range of emotions and the truly electric chemistry generated by the talented cast. Pearls of the Far East was a true treasure of this year’s festival and will stay fondly in my memory for a long time to come.


Cast & Crew of Pearls of the Far East at World Premiere screening, director Cuong Ngo (centre)


Cast & Crew of Pearls of the Far East at World Premiere screening, director Cuong Ngo (centre)

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Reel Asian 2011 Day 6 including reviews of Eternity, Surrogate Valentine & Pearls of the Far East (World Premiere)


Day 6 was the final day of Reel Asian and I did another triple bill of afternoon & early evening screenings all of which had a theme of life and love. I started out with the Thai film Eternity which centred not only on life and love and love that persists through our corporeal life into the spiritual realm. Then it was time to hit the road in the American West Coast music & road movie of meta-licious proportions that travelled through from San Francisco to Seattle to LA and had lots talk of and missed encounters along the way and then ended off with the sold-out World Premiere of Pearls of the Far East which was a lovely romance anthology film gorgeously shot & set in Vietnam.

That was the final film I saw for this year but Day 6 closed out with a screening of Buddha Mountain and their awards ceremony and will continue next weekend with screenings up in Richmond Hill on November 18 & 19, 2011.



Eternity
Dir: Sivoroj Kongsakul
Cast: Wanlop Rungkamjad, Namfon Udomletlak, Prapas Amnuay, Pattraporn Jaturanrasmee
Thailand

Eternity is one of the films that I'm really glad I read the programming not, because knowing it was about spiritual beliefs and the connection of love beyond our corporeal life really made a difference going in. The pacing is very gentle, which created an atmosphere that shifted my perception of time as although we spent what felt like a long time with the characters that felt like no where near the actual amount of time that they spend with each other in the same moments, or through their lives and beyond. I thought it was a very sophisticated demonstration of pairing time with emotion and in particular though the shaping of a relationship though a courting phase and how it grows and becomes more strong and substantial the more two people get to know each other. I know that the pace won't suit everyone’s fancy, but if you enjoy getting absorbed in real-time moments of life and relationships, Eternity is one for you. I really enjoyed it.



Surrogate Valentine
Dir: Dave Boyle (White on Rice)
Cast: Goh Nakamura, Lynn Chen, Chadd Stoops
USA

Surrogate Valentine is a road trip/music/romance film that give the feeling that it blurs the line between reality and fiction as it features Goh Nakamura, the musician playing Goh Nakamura, a musician. Going into the film I wasn't sure how that was going to work and I'm not always a fan of meta films when they feature someone playing themselves, but I was completely won over by Surrogate Valentine. It has a charming way of giving you all the little moments that you think couldn't work in this format, shows them not working and then somehow it sneaks up on you and makes them all work. I have no idea how they did it, especially because it has even more meta layers that felt like they could be confusing, but weren't and rather just make me laugh or smile or cheer for the characters and hope that they make it through their troubles along the way. It has some brutal truth as well as beautiful honesty and a fantastic soundtrack to boot. I adored it.


Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung with Surrogate Valentine director Dave Boyle and star Goh Nakamura


Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung with Surrogate Valentine director Dave Boyle and star Goh Nakamura



Pearls of the Far East
Dir: Cuong Ngo
Cast: Ngo Thanh Van, Truong Ngoc Anh, Nhu Quynh, Hong Anh, Kieu Chinh
Canada/Vietnam

It was really exciting to be at the World Premiere of Pearls of the Far East on the closing day of Reel Asian this year, there literally was not an empty seat in the house and the energy was electric. From the moment the film started it had me almost in tears at its beauty, with its lush landscapes and vibrant colours that popped off the screen. And that is just the setting! Add to that the heartfelt stories and gorgeous cast and we are in for a wonderful journey through a beautiful anthology of love stories. Pearls of the Far East showcases stories of love from childhood up to and through adulthood and of many different types of love. It was interesting that most, but not all, were from the perspective of women and I loved how all of the stories dealt with but in so many different ways from childhood love to love found, from forbidden love and lost love. I loved the diversity of stories, the amazing portrayals of a range of emotions and the truly electric chemistry generated by the talented cast. Pearls of the Far East was a true treasure of this year’s festival and will stay fondly in my memory for a long time to come.


Cast & Crew of Pearls of the Far East at World Premiere screening, director Cuong Ngo (centre)


Cast & Crew of Pearls of the Far East at World Premiere screening, director Cuong Ngo (centre)

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 ran from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and also November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

On Day 3 of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival I caught the Canadian Spotlight which this year featured Lily Eng showcasing films, excerpts and documentation of her dancing, choreography, performance art and kung fu works though out the years. I loved the variety of arts that Reel Asian continues to acknowledge and celebrate and this program certainly did that. Along with the films, excepts, stills and moderated discussion, the presentation also included a live performance by Lily Eng and was kicked off with a lion dance, and I have to say - how many festivals can you go to where your leg is nibbled on my a dancing lion? Not enough I say, not enough!




Canadian Spotlight on Lily Eng discussion with co-curator Coman Poon, Lily Eng & Peter Dudar

Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior
Including short films, film excepts, performance documentation, performance of a new piece called 'The Now', moderated discussion with Lily Eng, Peter Dudar and spotlight co-curator Coman Poon plus a lion dance

This was one of my most anticipated works of the festival, being a lover of dance, movement, martial arts and film I couldn't have been more excited to see each of those present and represented in the program. And, wow, did it ever deliver on so many levels! The showcase has a huge array of inspiring works from conceptual to performance art documentation, to film excepts, all of which were engaging, intriguing and made me think. They made me think about movement, energy, the body, sound and the entangled presence that lives with them in one moment, time and place.

It's always interesting to first be introduced to an artist but seeing a huge body of their work and therefore being treated to highlights over such a long period of time. I found it interesting that the subject matter often varied in the works, but the energy and intensity was always there; a kinetic building energy that was often released as well as being received. I found seeing energy received very interesting and unusual, which made it very exciting. And absolutely formidable presentation that was beautiful, intense and inspiring.


Canadian Spotlight on Lily Eng discussion with co-curator Coman Poon, Lily Eng & Peter Dudar


Canadian Spotlight on Lily Eng discussion with co-curator Coman Poon, Lily Eng & Peter Dudar

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

On Day 3 of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival I caught the Canadian Spotlight which this year featured Lily Eng showcasing films, excerpts and documentation of her dancing, choreography, performance art and kung fu works though out the years. I loved the variety of arts that Reel Asian continues to acknowledge and celebrate and this program certainly did that. Along with the films, excepts, stills and moderated discussion, the presentation also included a live performance by Lily Eng and was kicked off with a lion dance, and I have to say - how many festivals can you go to where your leg is nibbled on my a dancing lion? Not enough I say, not enough!




Canadian Spotlight on Lily Eng discussion with co-curator Coman Poon, Lily Eng & Peter Dudar

Canadian Spotlight: Lily Eng: Real Asian Canadian Woman Warrior
Including short films, film excepts, performance documentation, performance of a new piece called 'The Now', moderated discussion with Lily Eng, Peter Dudar and spotlight co-curator Coman Poon plus a lion dance

This was one of my most anticipated works of the festival, being a lover of dance, movement, martial arts and film I couldn't have been more excited to see each of those present and represented in the program. And, wow, did it ever deliver on so many levels! The showcase has a huge array of inspiring works from conceptual to performance art documentation, to film excepts, all of which were engaging, intriguing and made me think. They made me think about movement, energy, the body, sound and the entangled presence that lives with them in one moment, time and place.

It's always interesting to first be introduced to an artist but seeing a huge body of their work and therefore being treated to highlights over such a long period of time. I found it interesting that the subject matter often varied in the works, but the energy and intensity was always there; a kinetic building energy that was often released as well as being received. I found seeing energy received very interesting and unusual, which made it very exciting. And absolutely formidable presentation that was beautiful, intense and inspiring.


Canadian Spotlight on Lily Eng discussion with co-curator Coman Poon, Lily Eng & Peter Dudar


Canadian Spotlight on Lily Eng discussion with co-curator Coman Poon, Lily Eng & Peter Dudar

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Piercing 1
Dir: Liu Jian
Animated
China

Following a down on his luck young man who isn't able to make any ends meet and constantly gets mixed up in trouble that has nothing to do with him, Piercing 1 is an unique fit of content to format. I found it unusual to watch an animated film that for most intents and purposes is a drama, I'm not sure I've seen that before as I'm used to animation being used to demonstrate seeing the fantastical in some way shape or form but here we are centred in reality and following a dark drama with an edge into crime world. Although I found it a challenge to be with characters so down on their luck, or in the case of the criminals (and cops) very mean-spirited, but I loved the animation style. The visuals are very interesting, and I loved the repeating themes of the moon as well as the fun use of lights with things like neon signs & cell phones which provided great contrast to the stark situations. Very different, and a lot darker, than I expected but a very interesting watch.

Piercing 1 plays on Saturday November 12, 2011 at 10:30 PM at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Buy Tickets here.

Trailblazers Shorts Presentation

Enthusiastic set of shorts featuring earnest and often funny stories in the lives of lively seniors. let's take a look at a selection from the presentation that screened on Wednesday Nov 9, 2011 at Innis.

Totte Mitsu, Let's Go to Russia
Dir: Brian Lye
Canada, 8 minutes

Very quirky DIY fun-spirited 2 shorts centred on ladies who try and steal cameras from each other. It took me a while to find the rhythm of these but knowing that they are 'spontaeous' films really helps as they have a great free-spirited energy that are a really fun once you realize that you, like the films subjects, are along for the ride.

Granny's Rock / Babah No Rock
Dir: Satoru Yasuda
Japan, 21 minutes

A portrait of artist Miya Yumemi whose know around Tokyo as much for her fantastic free-flowing and line heavy portraits as much as her crazy, often intoxicated, behaviour. Fascinating look at the artist, her work, and the impressions she's made throughout the years in her work and with her lifestyle. I loved the earnestness of this documentary as how it didn't shy away from either her zaniness, or her talent.

A Drummer's Passion
Dir: Mingu Kim
Canada, 12 minutes

Fantastic portrait of 70-year old South Korean drummer Kwon Soon Keun who 50 year (and growing) career has influenced, entertained and delighted people with his enthusiastic & eccentric style. I loved his openness and dedication to his craft and the continue, ongoing desire to keep drumming. Loved it.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

Piercing 1
Dir: Liu Jian
Animated
China

Following a down on his luck young man who isn't able to make any ends meet and constantly gets mixed up in trouble that has nothing to do with him, Piercing 1 is an unique fit of content to format. I found it unusual to watch an animated film that for most intents and purposes is a drama, I'm not sure I've seen that before as I'm used to animation being used to demonstrate seeing the fantastical in some way shape or form but here we are centred in reality and following a dark drama with an edge into crime world. Although I found it a challenge to be with characters so down on their luck, or in the case of the criminals (and cops) very mean-spirited, but I loved the animation style. The visuals are very interesting, and I loved the repeating themes of the moon as well as the fun use of lights with things like neon signs & cell phones which provided great contrast to the stark situations. Very different, and a lot darker, than I expected but a very interesting watch.

Piercing 1 plays on Saturday November 12, 2011 at 10:30 PM at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Buy Tickets here.

Trailblazers Shorts Presentation

Enthusiastic set of shorts featuring earnest and often funny stories in the lives of lively seniors. let's take a look at a selection from the presentation that screened on Wednesday Nov 9, 2011 at Innis.

Totte Mitsu, Let's Go to Russia
Dir: Brian Lye
Canada, 8 minutes

Very quirky DIY fun-spirited 2 shorts centred on ladies who try and steal cameras from each other. It took me a while to find the rhythm of these but knowing that they are 'spontaeous' films really helps as they have a great free-spirited energy that are a really fun once you realize that you, like the films subjects, are along for the ride.

Granny's Rock / Babah No Rock
Dir: Satoru Yasuda
Japan, 21 minutes

A portrait of artist Miya Yumemi whose know around Tokyo as much for her fantastic free-flowing and line heavy portraits as much as her crazy, often intoxicated, behaviour. Fascinating look at the artist, her work, and the impressions she's made throughout the years in her work and with her lifestyle. I loved the earnestness of this documentary as how it didn't shy away from either her zaniness, or her talent.

A Drummer's Passion
Dir: Mingu Kim
Canada, 12 minutes

Fantastic portrait of 70-year old South Korean drummer Kwon Soon Keun who 50 year (and growing) career has influenced, entertained and delighted people with his enthusiastic & eccentric style. I loved his openness and dedication to his craft and the continue, ongoing desire to keep drumming. Loved it.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

The Isabel Bader theatre was buzzing with excitement last night for the Opening Night Gala Screening of Lover's Discourse which opened the festival for it's 15th anniversary year. Red was the colour of the evening with from red carpet & photo op space in effect, to friendly voluneteers sporting red t-shirts to of red balloons to guide people to the opening night party. Honestly, how cool is that? I think it's awesome, as was the audience being sereaded to by Choir Choir Choir who chose a song to 'take us back 15 years to 1997' when the festival began. Wow. I've been attending the festival for 5 years now and I was won over right from the very first screening of Finishing the Game in 2007 and continued to be impressed by the extremly strong and diverse programming that brings a fantastic set of films to Toronto each an every year. If Lover's Discourse is any hint of what's to come for 2011 we are in for another stellar year at the festival. And I'd expect nothing less.

In addition to the review below, make sure to check the Movie Moxie Facebook FanPage for photos & videos from the festival.





Lover's Discourse
Dirs: Derek Tsang Kowk Cheung, Jimmy Wan
Cast: Eason Chan, Karena Lam, Kay Tse, Eric Tsang, Eddie Peng, Kit Chan, Eric Tsang, Jacky Heung, Mavis Fan
Hong Kong

Lover's Discourse is sectioned off to 4 seemingly separate shorts that deal with slightly darker areas of love and shines a shimming light on a multitude of shades of grey from themes of desire, distanced adoration, fantasy, and every borderline stalker behaviour. But at the heart of the film is always love, even if it's unrequited or from the perspective of jealousy, it always comes back to love. And I loved this film. I particularly enjoyed the first two segments which were lighter on the surface than the final two, but all of them were carefully constructed, beautifully acted and had a sizzling emotional strength. The acting is so strong and we are giving a refreshingly large cast of characters to response to whether it be by identifying with them, empathizing with them, laughing with (or at) them or not agreeing with them you certainly have a strong reaction to each and every one. I was particularly impressed with the acting in section one with Eason Chan and Karena Lam who literally pulled me right into their world. Lover's Discourse was a beautiful way to open the festival, and I thoroughly enjoyed the with tales of love, longing and desire.


Lover's Discourse co-director Derek Tsang Kowk Cheung with Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung


Lover's Discourse co-director Derek Tsang Kowk Cheung with Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

For more information, check out the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival: Website, 15th Anniversary, How to Buy Tickets, 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 Isabel Bader theatre was buzzing with excitement last night for the Opening Night Gala Screening of Lover's Discourse which opened the festival for it's 15th anniversary year. Red was the colour of the evening with from red carpet & photo op space in effect, to friendly voluneteers sporting red t-shirts to of red balloons to guide people to the opening night party. Honestly, how cool is that? I think it's awesome, as was the audience being sereaded to by Choir Choir Choir who chose a song to 'take us back 15 years to 1997' when the festival began. Wow. I've been attending the festival for 5 years now and I was won over right from the very first screening of Finishing the Game in 2007 and continued to be impressed by the extremly strong and diverse programming that brings a fantastic set of films to Toronto each an every year. If Lover's Discourse is any hint of what's to come for 2011 we are in for another stellar year at the festival. And I'd expect nothing less.

In addition to the review below, make sure to check the Movie Moxie Facebook FanPage for photos & videos from the festival.





Lover's Discourse
Dirs: Derek Tsang Kowk Cheung, Jimmy Wan
Cast: Eason Chan, Karena Lam, Kay Tse, Eric Tsang, Eddie Peng, Kit Chan, Eric Tsang, Jacky Heung, Mavis Fan
Hong Kong

Lover's Discourse is sectioned off to 4 seemingly separate shorts that deal with slightly darker areas of love and shines a shimming light on a multitude of shades of grey from themes of desire, distanced adoration, fantasy, and every borderline stalker behaviour. But at the heart of the film is always love, even if it's unrequited or from the perspective of jealousy, it always comes back to love. And I loved this film. I particularly enjoyed the first two segments which were lighter on the surface than the final two, but all of them were carefully constructed, beautifully acted and had a sizzling emotional strength. The acting is so strong and we are giving a refreshingly large cast of characters to response to whether it be by identifying with them, empathizing with them, laughing with (or at) them or not agreeing with them you certainly have a strong reaction to each and every one. I was particularly impressed with the acting in section one with Eason Chan and Karena Lam who literally pulled me right into their world. Lover's Discourse was a beautiful way to open the festival, and I thoroughly enjoyed the with tales of love, longing and desire.


Lover's Discourse co-director Derek Tsang Kowk Cheung with Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung


Lover's Discourse co-director Derek Tsang Kowk Cheung with Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.

For more information, check out the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival: Website, 15th Anniversary, How to Buy Tickets, 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.