Movie Box Review

Pre-Festival Coverage
November 11, 2008

Daily Coverage
Day 1 - Wednesday November 12, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 2 - Thursday November 13, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 3 - Friday November 14, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 4 - Saturday November 15, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 5 - Sunday November 16, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog

Film Reviews - Features and Mid-length Films
Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten
Confessions of a Salesman
Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D
Drummer, The
Everybody's Children
Flower in the Pocket
Hansel and Gretel
Long Story Short
Oh Saigon
Santa Mesa
Tiger Spirit
Twelve
West 32nd
Wonderful Town

Film Reviews - Shorts
Around the Corner from Solitude
Audience, The
Catalogue
Damn the Past
Discopedia
Machine with Wishbone (WSFF'08 Review)
Others, The
Parallel Adele
Playgrounded, The
Running (Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit)
Self Portrait
Summer Afternoon
What You Eat

Videos - Q&A's, Introductions, Awards
Lester Alfonso: Selections from Twelve
Kenneth Bi: Selections from The Drummer Intro and Q&A
Christine Choy and Jody Long: Selections from Long Story Short Q&A
Aram Siu Wai Collier: Selections from The Others Q&A
Selections from Q&A for Daddy Tran: My Life in 3-D
Selections from Full Boat Program Q&A
Michael Kang: Selections from West 32nd Q&A
Min Sook Lee: Selections from Tiger Spirit Q&A
Ron Morales: Selections from Santa Mesa Q&A
Randall Okita: Selections from Machine with Wishbone Q&A
Raging Asian Women Taiko Drummers Performance on Opening Night
Selections from Closing Night Awards Ceremony

Post Festival Coverage
Wrap Up
Awards

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

I'm thrilled that in comparison to last year, this year I saw many of Reel Asian Award Winning Films. I agree with many of the selections but also have a few films I'd like to highlight, and because there were so many amazing films I could rarely narrow it down to just one.

Best Features: Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten, Flower in the Pocket

Best Mid-length: Oh Saigon, Twelve

Best Shorts (live action): Catalogue, The Others, Summer Afternoon

Best Short (animated): Running (Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit)

Best Experimental: Confessions of a Salesman

Best Program: Oh Vietnam on Day 5. Beautiful collection of documentaries. Definitely got me teary eyed though!

Best Q&A's: Micheal Kang at the West 32nd Q&A, the packed audience had great questions. Also Christine Choy and Jodi Long were very entertaining at the Long Story Short Q&A.

Best Experience: Seeing all the happy people during the Awards ceremony and then getting to see the lovely closing night film Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten

Fullest Screenings: The Drummer, West 32nd, Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten

Repeating themes: Portraits (self or others), bringing families together, reunification, home, use of found images from the Internet

Funnest collective experience: The rat toss yet really got people going, there were some competitive catchers out there! Especially for the make up / perfume prizes.

Wish I hadn't missed: Paul Wong spotlight

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the Awards Ceremony on Sunday November 16, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See a listing of all of the awards here.

Trinity Square Video Visionary Video Award presented to Aram Siu Wai Collier for The Others:


Doug Pringle and Chi-hui Yang present Centennial College @ Wallace Studios Most Innovative Film Production Award to Randall Lloyd Okita for Machine with Wishbone:


Presentation of the NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award to Paul Wong for Perfect Day:


Lesley Loksi Chan announces the winner of the Animasian Award - Asa Mori's Up the Rabbit Hole:


Megan McPhee, Lesley Loksi Chan announce the winner of the Kim Orr Barristers P.C. Best Narrative Feature Film or Video Award – Liew Seng Tat's Flower in the Pocket:


So You Think You Can Pitch? Introduction by Nobu Adilman and presentation of the Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Emerging Artist Award to Ian Tuason for Continuity Problems:


Nobu Adilman presents the Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Professional Artist Award to June Chua and Christine Alexiou for Travels with My Brother:


Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung and the final Rat Toss for the festival:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the screening of Tiger Spirit on Sunday November 16, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of Tiger Spirit here.

Tiger Spirit director Min Sook Lee introduces the film:


Min Sook Lee discusses the theme of the film:


Min Sook Lee responds to audience question on the possibility of a reunified Korea:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the screening of Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D as a part of the Oh Vietnam program on Sunday November 16, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D here.

Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D director Siu Ta and cinematographer John Minh Tran discuss how the film came to be:


Hai (Daddy) Tran responds to question regarding his favourite things to shoot:


Hai (Daddy) Tran dicusses further his love of photography:

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the screening of Santa Mesa on Sunday November 16, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of Santa Mesa here.

Santa Mesa director Ron Morales discusses casting


Ron Morales discusses inspiration of the film:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the screening of West 32nd on Saturday November 15, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of West 32nd here.

West 32nd director Michael Kang discusses casting:


Michael Kang discusses choice of character and focus (includes plot spoilers):


Michael Kang responds to audience question on influences:


Michael Kang discusses different possible endings ideas (includes spoilers):


Michael Kang discusses subplots and CJ Entertainment's involvement:


Michael Kang responses to audience question about how CJ Entertainment got involvement:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the screening of Long Story Short on Saturday November 15, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of Long Story Short here.

Long Story Short writer Jodi Long introduces the film and gives background on the films origins:


Long Story Short director Christine Choy and writer Jodi Long discuss the creation of the narrative structure of the film:


Jodi Long discusses acting and roles for Asian actors:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from the screening of Twelve as a part of the Everybody Else Program on Friday November 14, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of Twelve here.

Twelve director Lester Alfonso and producer Lea Marin discuss how the film came to be:


Lester Alfonso responds to audience question regarding representing a film that is so personal, and also discusses upcoming projects:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clip is from the screening of the Full Boat Program on Thursday November 13, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my review of Machine with Wishbone here.

Machine with Wishbone director Randall Okita discusses where the idea for the film came from:


Randall Okita responds to audience question regarding budget & time:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clip is from the screening of the Full Boat Program on Thursday November 13, 2008 at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. See my reviews of films in the Full Boat Program here.

Filmmakers from the Full Boat program respond to an audience question regarding how their non film backgrounds helped affected the film making process. Vid is a little dark, so here is the order of speakers:
Stefanie Wong dir: Around the Corner From Solitude
Ann Marie Fleming dir: Running (Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit)
Blair Fukumura dir: Catalogue
Khanhthuan Tran dir: Self-Portrait
Randall Okita dir: Machine with Wishbone



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The huge crowd waits for the Closing Night Awards Ceremony and Closing film Adrift in Tokyo

This years award winners have been announced and it has been another stellar year at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. Festival goers turned out in record numbers bringing numerous sold out screenings and events. Energy and excitement was brimming at the Bloor during the closing night awards ceremony. Let's take a look at the winners and check out selections the ceremony here.

So You Think You Can Pitch? Winners
Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Professional Artist Award - June Chua and Christine Alexiou for Travels with My Brother

Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Emerging Artist Award - Ian Tuason for Continuity Problems

Award Winners:
NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award – Paul Wong's Perfect Day
Honourable Mentions: Anh Minh Truong’s The Playgrounded and Midi Onodera’s A Movie-A-Day

Centennial College @ Wallace Studios Most Innovative Film Production Award – Randall Lloyd Okita's Machine with Wishbone

Kim Orr Barristers P.C. Best Narrative Feature Film or Video Award – Liew Seng Tat's Flower in the Pocket

Trinity Square Video Visionary Video Award - Aram Siu Wai Collier's The Others

Animasian Award – Asa Mori's Up the Rabbit Hole

NOW Audience Award - Kenneth Bi's The Drummer


Happy award winners and presenters at the Closing Night Ceremonies (left to right):
Paul Wong (director of Perfect Day), Randall Okita (director of Machine with Wishbone), Aram Siu Wai Collier (director of The Others), Chi-hui Yang, Doug Pringle, Ann Marie Fleming, Roy Mitchell, Lesley Loksi Chan, Lea Marin, Kass Banning, Megan McPhee.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The fifth and final day of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival was jam packed with energetic crowds and emotional films. It was a beautiful way to wrap the festival up, even though it was a freaking cold day!

Check out my Day 4 & 5 Vlog for highlights of the day.


Oh Vietnam guests left to right:
Oh Saigon director Doan Hoang, Parallel Adele director Adele Pham, Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D filmmakers and guests - Mrs & Daddy {Hai} Tran, director Siu Ta, cinematographer John Minh Tran with Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung

Oh Vietnam Presentation

Parallel Adele
Dir: Adele Pham
Documentary
USA, 2008
16 minutes

A touching an honest film exploring the bi or multi-racial experience and how it creates niche culture so specific that there is little chance to find someone of the same experience. Many of the stories revolve around not fitting as expected but also shine a light on fitting in when unexpected. People assume you are of one not many, and treat as such. I enjoyed the open discussions with the people involved

Oh Saigon
Dir: Doan Hoang
Documentary
USA, 2007
57 mintues

Oh Saigon is a beautiful documentary that traces the story of director Doan Hoang's family life as they move from Vietnam to the States in 1975. Although the film begins with how the family was shattered apart, the heart of it lies in the hope of reuniting not only with each other but also with coming to terms with the idea of a loss of a home country. It is such an emotional journey that I was thankful it was presented in the middle of the program as I needed some time to recover from the overwhelming experiences that are shared with the audience. One of the festivals best selections.


Mrs & Daddy {Hai} Tran, Reel Asian Artistic Director Heather Keung, Siu Ta (director) of Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D

Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D
Dir: Siu Ta
Documentary
Canada, 2008
47 minutes

I was happy to have the opportunity to see Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D as it didn't quite fit my schedule at Hot Docs this year. The film is a portrait of Daddy {Hai} Tran whose love for photography, currently 3-D photography specifically, treads closely to an obsession but he's joie de vivre is so contagious that it overrides such thoughts. Overall a very charming portrait filled with candid interviews and great photography.

See selections from the Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D Q&A here.


Ron Morales director of Santa Mesa

Santa Mesa
Dir: Ron Morales
Cast: Jacob Kiron Shalov, Jaime Tirelli, Melissa Leo, Angie Ferro, Pierro Rodriguez, Maria Lopez
USA/Philippines

Santa Mesa explores the complicated subject of being isolated within your own culture as we follow Hector, a 12-year-old who is unexpectedly shifted from the US to the Philippines to live with his Grandmother he never knew. We see him struggle to relate, communicate and learn all on top of the regular social pressures of being twelve. A heartfelt journey.

See selections from Q&A with director Ron Morales here.


Min Sook Lee director of Tiger Spirit

Tiger Spirit
Dir: Min Sook Lee
Documentary
Canada

The search of a tiger is the start of this film which has a strong theme of the power of belief as well as the hope of reuniting worlds and families. In this compelling documentary we see director Min Sook Lee as she travels to South Korea when 6 months pregnant. Her quest in searching for a connection to the country is paralleled with the hopes of the numerous families in South Korea who wish to reunite with family members in North Korea. A lottery system is in place to reunite the families through online conferencing and broadcasted publically. The search for completion is haunting throughout, especially for lost memories of personal stories.

See selections from Q&A with director Min Sook Lee here.

Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten
Dir: Satoshi Miki
Cast: Jô Odagiri, Tomokazu Miura, Kyoko Koizumi, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Ryo Iwamatsu
Japan

A wonderful oddball comedy following two near strangers as they walk almost aimlessly around Tokyo. If described in detail, the film would sound so serious as it includes debt collectors, crime and emotional detachment but the spirit of the film is lively, funny and touching. Sensitive realism is explored through a bizarre meeting of the minds, even if the minds are a little off kilter and logic is questionable. One of the most enjoyable films I've seen in recent history.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 ran from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Day 4! Today had a lot of aggressive weather! Started off with rain, it was chilly throughout and ended with pelting wet snow. Gotta love November in Toronto! Want to hear all about it? Check out my Day 4 & 5 Vlog or check out the highlights of the day below.


Long Story Short director Christine Choy and writer/narrator Jodi Long

Long Story Short
Dir: Christine Choy
Documentary on entertainers Larry & Trudy Long and their daughter Jodi Long
USA

It was a true joy to see not only the film Long Story Short but also the Intro and Q&A by director Christine Choy and Jodi Long. The energy they provided to the screening was playful, practical and proud. The film traces the history of Jodi Long's parents, Larry & Trudy Long as innovative entertainers through the 40's and the 50's including an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The journey is not only historical but personal to shows the realities of a show business family, which unfortunately shows how although we may have come along way that it doesn't mean we have actually come very far.

See selections from Q&A with director Christine Choy and writer Jodi Long here.

Damn the Past
Dir: Juli Kang
USA, 2007
29 minutes

A beautiful short film filled with song, dance, unconventional relationships which confront and embrace telling your own story and creating your own history in the midst of presumptions and assumptions.

Flower in the Pocket
Dir: Liew Seng Tat
Cast: Lim Wing Wei, Wong Zi Jiang, James Lee, Amira Nasuha Binti Shahiran, Mislina Mustaffa
Malaysia

Flower in the Pocket is an absolutely wonderful film following the tale of two young brothers, mostly unattended and getting into trouble but they appear to know nothing different. Fragile friendships, odd explorations and more than a few shocking moments kept the audiences attention for the duration of the film. Ultimately the film feels like a tale of familial and social completeness but the joy lies in its simplicity of togetherness and family regardless of the situation.

The Audience
Dir: David Eng
Canada, 2008

Hilarious short that prods, questions and validates not only the audience we are but the audience we see. This film was a definite crowd pleaser.


West 32nd director Michael Kang

West 32nd
Dir: Michael Kang
Cast: John Cho, Grace Park, Jun Kim
South Korea/USA

This slick New York set Korean gangster flick took me by surprize. Star power including John Cho and Grace Park was certainly a draw, but the complex nature and desire to understand the underground culture is what hooks you into the film. The exploration shows how quickly the lines can be blurred from professional to personal, as well as demonstrating the powerful dynamites of the community. I’m not usually one for gangster films, but the story pulls you tightly into the intriguing world and gives you many characters to connect to on multiple levels. Add to that a great cast including stellar performances especially from Jun Kim and you are ready to roll.

Want to hear the whole Q&A? You can! Check it out here at Toronto Screen Shots, film content is discussed (including the end) so spoilers sensitive folks beware.

See selections from Q&A with director Michael Kang here.


The packed house for the screening of West 32nd and The Audience

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 runs from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Day 4 & 5 Vlog!

Films Discussed:
Family - Celebrating: Long Story Short, Daddy Tran: A Life in 3-D
Family - Searching & Reuniting: Tiger Spirit, Flower in the Pocket, Oh Saigon
Crowded Houses: West 32nd, Adrift in Tokyo

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 runs from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Day 3 was a day of 3's. It was the third day in the festival and I went to 3 screenings! Want to hear all about it? Check out Reel Asian Vlog for Day 3.

Everybody Else Shorts Presentation
The first screening of the day was such a treat, both of the films shown were very touching in their expression of the immigrant experience. The program included Twelve and Everybody's Children, films that won the National Film Board of Canada's Reel Diversity competitions. I found the films to be a great reminder of the challenges that people face when coming to Canada from a different country. So many times Canada, and specifically Toronto, are known from their multiculturalism but that doesn't mean it can be a quick and easy fit. There is always room for more acceptance, sharing and kindness to those around us. The films were preceded by student PSA shorts that were tender and hilarious, ranging from anti-smoking ads to acceptance. Wonderfully done.


Twelve director Lester Alfonso

Twelve
Dir: Lester Alfonso
Canada, 2008
43 minutes

Twelve has such an interesting premise and shows a personal and collective journey in a very beautiful way. The film is a collection of interviews and memories of people, including the director himself, who all came to Canada at the tender at of twelve. It is a very brave and honest film that captures truths of the individual lives including the hardships of fitting in as well as advice they would give of how to make it through the transition. The openness and sharing of stories is done from a place of true caring and exploration which transforms the film from straight up documentary style to a collection experience for all, including the audience.

See selections from Q&A with director Lester Alfonso here.

Everybody's Children
Dir: Monika Delmos
Canada, 2008
52 minutes

This film brings to light the issue of unaccompanied minors arriving to Canada seeking asylum. We follow two teens who arrive with little more than the clothes on their back for the period of a year to see what the experience is like. I had no idea that this was something that happened to so many people, and the film touches on the fact that there is no formal system for taking care of them. As the case was, and sound like is with the majority of the unaccompanied minors, is that they have no one here in Canada. It was amazing to see the difference when they had access to or were part of a social community, like The Salvation Army or Matthew House. The film does have an emotional arms length from the people involved, which I can understand but it was a challenge because you really feel so much for teens involved that you want to be a little closer. It's wonderful that it brings to the surface such an important issue.


Matthew House Executive Director Anne Woolger-Bell and Everybody's Children director Monika Delmos

Wonderful Town
Dir: Aditya Assarat
Cast: Anchalee Saisoontorn, Supphasit Kansen, Dul Yaambuning, Sorawit Poolsawat
Thailand

Quietly paced film set in post tsunami Southern Thailand which is divided between tourist locations and hotels that are continuing on as they can or rebuilding. Many polarities are explored urban to rural, old to new, complex to simple but rarely are they set as a conflict but rather a choice. The film brings a gentle romance that is stemmed in opposites but grows nonetheless. A haunting sense of loss pulls the film just slightly out of emotional range for me, although the setting and acting is quite understated and beautiful to watch.

Disquieting: Late Night Shorts
Aptly named programmed that all and all I have to say freaked me out! The films were all disquieting in their tone and concept as opposed to just the visual depiction. Chilling and uncomfortable, but ultimately unforgettable. Here are reviews on a selection of the shorts.

The Playgrounded
Dir: Anh Minh Truong
Canada, 2007
18 minutes

The lightest of the group, The Playgrounded explores an unexpected nostalgic friendship in a time of utter boredom. Innovative ideas and lively energy contrasts beautifully against the stark setting to give a surreal yet familiar feel to the world it creates.


What You Eat director Jennifer Liao with Reel Asian Online Coordinator Kevin Lim

What You Eat
Dir: Jennifer Liao
Canada, 2008
9 minutes

The story of a father/son relationship where the father is insistent that if you kill something, you have to eat it. This idea prompts for many cringe inducing ideas and moments that had the audience squirming in their seats.

Highlights of the Q&A with director Jennifer Liao:
- the film was based on a short story
- stunts with the animals and casting the young actor were some of the challenges of the film
- it was the winner of Hear Me, See Me, Pitch Me competition in the emerging category at Reel Asian in 2007
- pre-production began in March 08, it was shot in May 08 and post done in July 08

Summer Afternoon
Dir: Ho Wi Ding

Taiwan, 2008
16 minutes

Beautifully shot in black & white this roadside escapade turns from standard third wheel scenario to a dark journey of power and twisted friendship.



The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 runs from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Day 3 Vlog!

Films Discussed:
From the Everybody Else program: Twelve, Everybody's Children
Wonderful Town
From the Disquieting: Late Night Shorts: The Playgrounded, Summer Afternoon, What You Eat


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 runs from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Day 2 of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival was filled with innovative films from experimental to re-interpreted fables. Arriving for the first screening at Innis Town Hall for the day felt a bit like opening night all over again as it was the first day at this particular venue. Helpful and friendly staff directed people to all the appropriate places, and new for this year is the badge & passholder pick up is on a different side of the theatre to the regular box office. Regular tickets are picked up at the box office area right off of St George Street, passholders and badge holders are just around the corner. I hit up three screenings on Day 2 and it was a quite a great set of films!

Want to hear all about it? Check out Reel Asian Vlog for Day 2.



Confessions of a Salesman
Dir: Ho Tam
Canada, 2007
55 minutes

Confessions of a Salesman pieces together different selections of Ho Tam's work from 1994 to 2008. Although each section has its own unique message, it was fascinating to see the works as a series to touch back to themes and styles that repeat over time, like old radio ads and newspaper clippings. What amazed me more than that was the different techniques and formats used which brought depth showing continuously innovative works. The tone also ranged from serious to tongue-in-cheek, but always had an air of challenging perceptions. My favourite of the works was what felt like an association game, showing a word from A to Z with an 'Asian' quality to it, then it showed an image paired with the word. Often the image was one you wouldn't expect. A fantastic journey of commentary and redefining perspectives and perceptions.

For more information on the director check out Ho Tam's website.


Directors from the Full Boat program (left to right): Stefanie Wong (Around the Corner From Solitude), Ann Marie Fleming (Running (Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit) ), Blair Fukumura (Catalogue), Khanhthuan Tran (Self-Portrait), Randall Okita (Machine with Wishbone).

Full Boat Shorts Presentation
I always look forward to the shorts programs and Full Boat was a great selection of Canadian shorts. It's interesting to note that the majority of the films had animation or had a strong presence of line in the films. Five of the filmmakers were in attendance, Ann Marie Fleming (Running (Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit) ), Khanhthuan Tran (Self-Portrait), Blair Fukumura (Catalogue), Randall Okita (Machine with Wishbone) and Stefanie Wong (Around the Corner From Solitude) which always makes for a lively screening and we were treated to a brief Q&A after the films. Here are reviews of a selection of the short films. More pictures, vids and details from the Q&A to follow.

See selections from Q&A with Full Boat directors here.

Running (Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit)
Dir: Ann Marie Fleming - in attendance
Canada, 2008
5 minutes

Animated character Stick journeys through on and through surfaces and into the heart and back again. Lively and fresh this short is simply beautiful.

Q&A with Ann Marie Fleming reveals that the film is inspired on acupuncture theory.

Self Portrait
Dir: Khanhthuan Tran - in attendance
Canada, 2007
2 minutes

Fascinating exercise in self portrait, we see the director drawing himself. It is interesting as the process although a self portrait is from the viewers perspective and we are left seeing the directors.

Discopedia
Dir: Ho Tam
Canada, 2007
8 minutes

Night clubs scenes and beats fill our senses as the text crosses the screen with phrases you'd heard and likely said on the dance floor from pick up lines to longings to brush offs. Very effective.

Catalogue
Dir: Blair Fukumura - in attendance
Canada, 2008
4 minutes

There was lots of love in the house for Catalogue, a short film that explores the culture and fashions from 1970's catalogue in comparison to current shopping and social culture. Playful, comedic and insightful on changing and repeating cultural trends.

Machine with a Wishbone
Dir: Randall Okita - in attendance
Canada, 2007
5 minutes

It was a treat to see this innovative short film again, check out my review of it from the Worldwide Short Film Festival here. See selections from Q&A with director Randall Okita here.

Around the Corner From Solitude
Dir: Stefanie Wong - in attendance
Canada, 2008
3 minutes

Innovative short film that shows animation through embroidery. I had no idea it was embroidery until the Q&A - what a fascinating way to create a short! Seeing the embroidery gives the film a very tactile and unique feel to it as you wait in anticipation to see what stitches will come next.

Hansel and Gretel
Dir: Yim Pil-sung
Cast: Chun Jeong-myoung, Eun Won-jae, Shim Eun-kyoung, Jin Ji-hee
South Korea

I'm always looking forward to a good horror film and Hansel and Gretel sure has that to offer. The film has a share of scares, but also has fantastic art direction and costumes that successfully give it a storybook atmosphere. The re-interpreted fable of evil kids in a house surprized me, in a good way. It felt much more than a straight-up horror film, there was a fair share of heart and emotion as well as the fear which made very accessible to slip into the created, crazy world. The acting was very strong by the entire cast, the majority of which are quite young. Overall very engaging, vivid and scary.


The packed house for Hansel and Gretel.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2008 runs from November 12-16, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.