Movie Box Review

Pre-Festival:
Festival Preview

Daily Coverage:
Day 1: Write Up, Vlog
Day 2: Write Up, Vlog
Day 3: Write Up, Vlog
Day 4: Write Up, Vlog
Day 5: Write Up, Vlog

Film Reviews - Shorts:
Animated Heavy Metal Parking Lot, The
Chosun Forever
Live Long and Prosper
Unlocked
White Boy From the East

Film Reviews - Features:
Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly / Babi buta yang ingin terbang
Breathless / Ddongpari
Fish Story / Fisshu sutôrî
Fruit Fly
Overheard / Qie ting feng yun
Red Heroine
Schoolgirl's Diary, A / Han nyeohaksaengeui ilgi
White on Rice
Yang Yang
Yanggaw

Videos - Q&As, Introductions, etc.
Awards Ceremony
The Ache introduction by director Keith Lock
The Animated Heavy Metal Parking Lot introduction by director Leslie Supnet
Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly introduction by Raymond Phathanavirangoon
Breathless introduction and Q&A with director Yang Ik-June
Chosun Forever Q&A with director Joo Hyun Kwon
Fruit Fly introduction and Q&A with director H.P. Mendoza
Overheard audio introduction with director Felix Chong
Unlocked introduction with with director Mio Adilman and actor Bobby Del Rio
White Boy From the East introduction, special message from director Istvan Kantor
Yang Yang audio introduction from director Cheng Yu-chieh

Post Festival Coverage:
Poll Results
Awards
Wrap Up

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Pre-Festival:
Festival Preview

Daily Coverage:
Day 1: Write Up, Vlog
Day 2: Write Up, Vlog
Day 3: Write Up, Vlog
Day 4: Write Up, Vlog
Day 5: Write Up, Vlog

Film Reviews - Shorts:
Animated Heavy Metal Parking Lot, The
Chosun Forever
Live Long and Prosper
Unlocked
White Boy From the East

Film Reviews - Features:
Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly / Babi buta yang ingin terbang
Breathless / Ddongpari
Fish Story / Fisshu sutôrî
Fruit Fly
Overheard / Qie ting feng yun
Red Heroine
Schoolgirl's Diary, A / Han nyeohaksaengeui ilgi
White on Rice
Yang Yang
Yanggaw

Videos - Q&As, Introductions, etc.
Awards Ceremony
The Ache introduction by director Keith Lock
The Animated Heavy Metal Parking Lot introduction by director Leslie Supnet
Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly introduction by Raymond Phathanavirangoon
Breathless introduction and Q&A with director Yang Ik-June
Chosun Forever Q&A with director Joo Hyun Kwon
Fruit Fly introduction and Q&A with director H.P. Mendoza
Overheard audio introduction with director Felix Chong
Unlocked introduction with with director Mio Adilman and actor Bobby Del Rio
White Boy From the East introduction, special message from director Istvan Kantor
Yang Yang audio introduction from director Cheng Yu-chieh

Post Festival Coverage:
Poll Results
Awards
Wrap Up

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

It was another amazing year at the ... , although it mystifies me even when I make it out to many of the screenings I often miss the awards winners such as Agrarian Utopia. But, I still got out to screenings every day and was impressed at the amazing content and qualities of the films. From Filipino vampires in Yanggaw to identity explorations in Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly, the festival had a wide variety of genres and experiences to choose from.

Best Features: Fruit Fly, Yang Yang, Fish Story

Best Performances: Sandrine Pinna in Yang Yang, Yang Ik-June in Breathless

Best Short / Experimental
Both of these were short and unique so it's a two-way tie: Live Long and Prosper and White Boy From the East

Best Q&A's: Q&A with Breathless writer/director/actor Yang Ik-June

Best Experience: Red Heroine, because you can't beat seeing a 1929 film with live accompaniment

Fullest Screenings: Overheard, Red Heroine, Breathless

Repeating themes: Identity and family were both prominent but this year there was a huge range of topics explored

Funnest collective experience: Red Heroine and Awards Ceremony

Wish I hadn't missed: Agrarian Utopia, A Sense of Wonder (Asian Canadian Shorts Program) and When the Full Moon Rises

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

It was another amazing year at the ... , although it mystifies me even when I make it out to many of the screenings I often miss the awards winners such as Agrarian Utopia. But, I still got out to screenings every day and was impressed at the amazing content and qualities of the films. From Filipino vampires in Yanggaw to identity explorations in Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly, the festival had a wide variety of genres and experiences to choose from.

Best Features: Fruit Fly, Yang Yang, Fish Story

Best Performances: Sandrine Pinna in Yang Yang, Yang Ik-June in Breathless

Best Short / Experimental
Both of these were short and unique so it's a two-way tie: Live Long and Prosper and White Boy From the East

Best Q&A's: Q&A with Breathless writer/director/actor Yang Ik-June

Best Experience: Red Heroine, because you can't beat seeing a 1929 film with live accompaniment

Fullest Screenings: Overheard, Red Heroine, Breathless

Repeating themes: Identity and family were both prominent but this year there was a huge range of topics explored

Funnest collective experience: Red Heroine and Awards Ceremony

Wish I hadn't missed: Agrarian Utopia, A Sense of Wonder (Asian Canadian Shorts Program) and When the Full Moon Rises

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Heather Keung, Artistic Director at the awards ceremony

It was a fantastic year at Reel Asian and as the festival has wrapped it's time to look at this years festival winners. See videos of the award ceremony and acceptance speeches here.

2009 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Award Winners

Now Audience Award
Winner: Yoshihiro Nakamura for Fish Story

THE SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH? AWARDS
So You Think You Can Pitch? Awards winners were chosen by a panel of jurors, Nobu Adilman, Eileen Arandiga, and Lila Karim

The Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Professional Artist Award
Winner: Jonathan Ng for Requiem for Romance

The Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Emerging Artist Award
Winners: Sonia Hong, Claire Lowery and Olga Barsky for A Dragged Out Affair

Jury
The jury for the remaining awards included the following members of the media arts community: Michael Fukushima, Kathleen Mullen and Louise Noguchi

NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award
Winner: Richard Fung, John Greyson and Ali Kazimi for Rex vs. Singh

Kim Orr Barristers P.C. Best Narrative Feature Film or Video Award
Winner: Uruphong Raksasad for Agrarian Utopia
Honourable Mention: Yoshihiro Nakamura for Fish Story

Animasian Award
Winners: Lesley Loksi Chan and Serena Lee for Live Long and Prosper

Centennial Collage @ Wallace Studios Most Innovative Film Production Award
Winner: Randall Lloyd Okita for Fish in Barrel

Lift and Fuji Best Film Award
Winner: Mio Adilman for Unlocked

Trinity Square Video Visionary Video Award
Winner: Parimita Nath for Found

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.


Reel Asian Award Winners pose for a picture. Congratulations!

Heather Keung, Artistic Director at the awards ceremony

It was a fantastic year at Reel Asian and as the festival has wrapped it's time to look at this years festival winners. See videos of the award ceremony and acceptance speeches here.

2009 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Award Winners

Now Audience Award
Winner: Yoshihiro Nakamura for Fish Story

THE SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH? AWARDS
So You Think You Can Pitch? Awards winners were chosen by a panel of jurors, Nobu Adilman, Eileen Arandiga, and Lila Karim

The Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Professional Artist Award
Winner: Jonathan Ng for Requiem for Romance

The Charles Street Video and Reel Asian Pitch Emerging Artist Award
Winners: Sonia Hong, Claire Lowery and Olga Barsky for A Dragged Out Affair

Jury
The jury for the remaining awards included the following members of the media arts community: Michael Fukushima, Kathleen Mullen and Louise Noguchi

NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award
Winner: Richard Fung, John Greyson and Ali Kazimi for Rex vs. Singh

Kim Orr Barristers P.C. Best Narrative Feature Film or Video Award
Winner: Uruphong Raksasad for Agrarian Utopia
Honourable Mention: Yoshihiro Nakamura for Fish Story

Animasian Award
Winners: Lesley Loksi Chan and Serena Lee for Live Long and Prosper

Centennial Collage @ Wallace Studios Most Innovative Film Production Award
Winner: Randall Lloyd Okita for Fish in Barrel

Lift and Fuji Best Film Award
Winner: Mio Adilman for Unlocked

Trinity Square Video Visionary Video Award
Winner: Parimita Nath for Found

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.


Reel Asian Award Winners pose for a picture. Congratulations!

The following video clips are from Sunday November 15, 2009 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 Awards Ceremony.

The So You Think You Can Pitch Emerging Award Goes to...

Sonia Hong, Olga Barsky and Claire Lowery for A Dragged Out Affair.

The So You Think You Can Pitch? Professional Award goes to...

Jonathan Ng for Requiem for Romance

The TSV Visionary Video Award goes to ....

Paramita Nath for Found. Award accepted by Souvankham Thammavongsa.

The Lift and Fuji Best Film Award goes to...

Mio Adliman (whom gave an awesome acceptance speech) for Unlocked

The Animasian Award goes to....

Lesley Loksi Chan and Serena Lee for Live Long and Prosper accepted by Lesley Loksi Chan

The NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award goes to....

Richard Fung, John Greyson and Ali Kazimi, for Rex vs Singh, accepted by Ali Kazimi

The Best Narrative Feature Film or Video Award goes to...

Uruphong Raksasad for Agrarian Utopia
Honourable Mention: Fish Story

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from Sunday November 15, 2009 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 Awards Ceremony.

The So You Think You Can Pitch Emerging Award Goes to...

Sonia Hong, Olga Barsky and Claire Lowery for A Dragged Out Affair.

The So You Think You Can Pitch? Professional Award goes to...

Jonathan Ng for Requiem for Romance

The TSV Visionary Video Award goes to ....

Paramita Nath for Found. Award accepted by Souvankham Thammavongsa.

The Lift and Fuji Best Film Award goes to...

Mio Adliman (whom gave an awesome acceptance speech) for Unlocked

The Animasian Award goes to....

Lesley Loksi Chan and Serena Lee for Live Long and Prosper accepted by Lesley Loksi Chan

The NFB Best Canadian Film or Video Award goes to....

Richard Fung, John Greyson and Ali Kazimi, for Rex vs Singh, accepted by Ali Kazimi

The Best Narrative Feature Film or Video Award goes to...

Uruphong Raksasad for Agrarian Utopia
Honourable Mention: Fish Story

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday was the Day 5, the closing day of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and a marathon long day of back to back to back screenings. Starting early at Innis and just shy of avoiding the Santa Claus Parade was a screening of A Schoolgirl's Diary, and it was a rare treat to see a film from DPRK (North Korea) and then ending the evening off at the Royal with the Awards Ceremony and the presentation of the hard hitting South Korean film Breathless with director/writer/main actor Yang Ik-June in attendance. It was one hell of a way to end yet another great year for Reel Asian.

Listen all about the day over at my Day 5 Vlog.


Chosun Forever director Joo Hyun Kwon (right)

Chosun Forever
Dir: Joo Hyun Kwon
Documentary
Canada, 30 minutes

Insightful documentary on a family that has roots that start in North Korea and have since traversed to South Korea and landed now here in Canada. It's amazing to see a journey from this perspective, and to see how although times change not all things change. The film delves into the family relationships and their challenges when belief systems are not shared different, be they political, religious or general world views. I was very impressed by the openness of the people involved, it feels very brave of everyone to share their stories with the audience.

See selections from the Chosun Forever Q&A with director Joo Hyun Kwon here.



A Schoolgirl’s Diary / Han nyeohaksaengeui ilgi
Dir: Jang In-hak
Cast: Pak Mi-hyang, Kim Jin-mi, Kim Yeong-suk
DPRK (North Korea)

What a rare opportunity to see a film from North Korea, I knew right away that I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see it. I did not have many expectations going in, which led to being surprized by the film many times over. The film follows the story of a family from the perspective of the eldest daughter and focuses on family issues including an working away from home father, the conflict between individual desires and that of the family, as well as general day to day life. Overall it's extremely ‘family friendly’ right down to out of the blue physical comedy to lighten the mood. Although it did keep a lot of lightness, it was in no way saccharine. The challenges faced by the main character where simple and complex and ranged from a personal level to family level to maintaining a certain relationship with society as a whole. Even thought not overwhelming for the entirety of the film, there is a clear social message and patriotic tone within.



Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly / Babi buta yang ingin terbang
Dir: Edwin
Cast: Ladya Cheryll, Carlo Genta, Pong Harjatmo, Joko Anwar, Wicaksono, Clarine Baharrizki, Andhara Early
Indonesia

Hearing that the film was a series of portraits exploring identity, I was very curious to see how the film would be presented. Although it took a bit to settle into the unusually pace I found myself compelled by the structure of the film, which is narrative with a story to tell but is presented not in a strictly chronologically manner. I found that fascinating as it was a reminder that in life we are always influenced by our past and have the power to change in the future. You certainly felt strongly for the characters in the film, and the challenges they face by the very open racism that surrounds them. I will freely admit that I'm sure I didn't pick up on all the cultural nuances, although did great appreciate the introduction which highlighted some of the key contextual issues of the film. I really enjoyed seeing the friendship of Linda and Cahyono which subtly captured the relaxed comfort level between friends whom have faced trying times.

See introduction to Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly by Reel Asian International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon, who gives the audience a little history & context for the film here.



Breathless / Ddongpari
Writer/Dir: Yang Ik-June
Cast: Yang Ik-June, Kim Kot-bi, Jeong Man-shik
South Korea

A powerhouse film to end a powerhouse festival, Breathless leaves you just as the title would indicate as it masterfully charges and holds tension throughout. The film follows Song-hoon, played by writer/director Yang Ik-June, a gangster/debt collector whom seems to enjoy his job a little too much and has no problem transferring his work skills into day to day life. There is a lot in Song-hoon's character that shows the result of an unguided life, and this echoes in other facets of the film where you see people doing what they need to to survive and not knowing any different. In fact, with the characters being so harsh it makes you hope all the more that they will find a way to learn, grow and change their ways and it presents the question of are we a product of our upbringing and social situation or do we have the power to change? Yang Ik-June strong performance of Song-hoon draws us in every time he is on screen, although he isn't the only character we are introduced to. As a polar opposite we meet Yeon-hee, a schoolgirl played by Kim Kot-bi, whom subtly surprizes us throughout the film with her strong backbone and fearless abandon. But the magic and heart of the film stems from the unconventional relationships, including that of Song-hoon and Yeon-hee, that seem so unlikely but ring so true. It also does a fantastic job at showcasing the different roles people play within their lives, and how that affects them on multiple levels.

Although there is a huge amount of violence and colourful language may make it unsettling, but the story it tells is one well worth wading through the harshness. While this is no easy task, it helps to know that the creation of this films was a cathartic process for director/writer/actor Yang Ik-June to get this energy out. For more on the inspiration to create the film, see selections from the Intro and Q&A with Breathless director/writer/main actor Yang Ik-June here.


International Programmer Raymond Phathananavirangoon (left), Breathless director Yang Ik-June (centre)


International Programmer Raymond Phathananavirangoon (left), Breathless director Yang Ik-June (centre) and translator

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday was the Day 5, the closing day of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and a marathon long day of back to back to back screenings. Starting early at Innis and just shy of avoiding the Santa Claus Parade was a screening of A Schoolgirl's Diary, and it was a rare treat to see a film from DPRK (North Korea) and then ending the evening off at the Royal with the Awards Ceremony and the presentation of the hard hitting South Korean film Breathless with director/writer/main actor Yang Ik-June in attendance. It was one hell of a way to end yet another great year for Reel Asian.

Listen all about the day over at my Day 5 Vlog.


Chosun Forever director Joo Hyun Kwon (right)

Chosun Forever
Dir: Joo Hyun Kwon
Documentary
Canada, 30 minutes

Insightful documentary on a family that has roots that start in North Korea and have since traversed to South Korea and landed now here in Canada. It's amazing to see a journey from this perspective, and to see how although times change not all things change. The film delves into the family relationships and their challenges when belief systems are not shared different, be they political, religious or general world views. I was very impressed by the openness of the people involved, it feels very brave of everyone to share their stories with the audience.

See selections from the Chosun Forever Q&A with director Joo Hyun Kwon here.



A Schoolgirl’s Diary / Han nyeohaksaengeui ilgi
Dir: Jang In-hak
Cast: Pak Mi-hyang, Kim Jin-mi, Kim Yeong-suk
DPRK (North Korea)

What a rare opportunity to see a film from North Korea, I knew right away that I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see it. I did not have many expectations going in, which led to being surprized by the film many times over. The film follows the story of a family from the perspective of the eldest daughter and focuses on family issues including an working away from home father, the conflict between individual desires and that of the family, as well as general day to day life. Overall it's extremely ‘family friendly’ right down to out of the blue physical comedy to lighten the mood. Although it did keep a lot of lightness, it was in no way saccharine. The challenges faced by the main character where simple and complex and ranged from a personal level to family level to maintaining a certain relationship with society as a whole. Even thought not overwhelming for the entirety of the film, there is a clear social message and patriotic tone within.



Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly / Babi buta yang ingin terbang
Dir: Edwin
Cast: Ladya Cheryll, Carlo Genta, Pong Harjatmo, Joko Anwar, Wicaksono, Clarine Baharrizki, Andhara Early
Indonesia

Hearing that the film was a series of portraits exploring identity, I was very curious to see how the film would be presented. Although it took a bit to settle into the unusually pace I found myself compelled by the structure of the film, which is narrative with a story to tell but is presented not in a strictly chronologically manner. I found that fascinating as it was a reminder that in life we are always influenced by our past and have the power to change in the future. You certainly felt strongly for the characters in the film, and the challenges they face by the very open racism that surrounds them. I will freely admit that I'm sure I didn't pick up on all the cultural nuances, although did great appreciate the introduction which highlighted some of the key contextual issues of the film. I really enjoyed seeing the friendship of Linda and Cahyono which subtly captured the relaxed comfort level between friends whom have faced trying times.

See introduction to Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly by Reel Asian International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon, who gives the audience a little history & context for the film here.



Breathless / Ddongpari
Writer/Dir: Yang Ik-June
Cast: Yang Ik-June, Kim Kot-bi, Jeong Man-shik
South Korea

A powerhouse film to end a powerhouse festival, Breathless leaves you just as the title would indicate as it masterfully charges and holds tension throughout. The film follows Song-hoon, played by writer/director Yang Ik-June, a gangster/debt collector whom seems to enjoy his job a little too much and has no problem transferring his work skills into day to day life. There is a lot in Song-hoon's character that shows the result of an unguided life, and this echoes in other facets of the film where you see people doing what they need to to survive and not knowing any different. In fact, with the characters being so harsh it makes you hope all the more that they will find a way to learn, grow and change their ways and it presents the question of are we a product of our upbringing and social situation or do we have the power to change? Yang Ik-June strong performance of Song-hoon draws us in every time he is on screen, although he isn't the only character we are introduced to. As a polar opposite we meet Yeon-hee, a schoolgirl played by Kim Kot-bi, whom subtly surprizes us throughout the film with her strong backbone and fearless abandon. But the magic and heart of the film stems from the unconventional relationships, including that of Song-hoon and Yeon-hee, that seem so unlikely but ring so true. It also does a fantastic job at showcasing the different roles people play within their lives, and how that affects them on multiple levels.

Although there is a huge amount of violence and colourful language may make it unsettling, but the story it tells is one well worth wading through the harshness. While this is no easy task, it helps to know that the creation of this films was a cathartic process for director/writer/actor Yang Ik-June to get this energy out. For more on the inspiration to create the film, see selections from the Intro and Q&A with Breathless director/writer/main actor Yang Ik-June here.


International Programmer Raymond Phathananavirangoon (left), Breathless director Yang Ik-June (centre)


International Programmer Raymond Phathananavirangoon (left), Breathless director Yang Ik-June (centre) and translator

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from Sunday November 15, 2009 screening of Breathless at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival with director Yang Ik-June:

International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon introduces Breathless director Yang Ik-June:


Yang Ik-June responds to audience question regarding the title of the film:


Yang Ik-June responds to audience question regarding finding main actress for film and also a question about his jacket:


Yang Ik-June Yang Ik-June responds to audience question on why he chose to make this film:


Follow up question on the above response, audience member asked why in South Korea women would be treated differently than other parts of the world:


Yang Ik-June Yang Ik-June responds to audience question regarding the ending of the film (spoiler):


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from Sunday November 15, 2009 screening of Breathless at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival with director Yang Ik-June:

International Programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon introduces Breathless director Yang Ik-June:


Yang Ik-June responds to audience question regarding the title of the film:


Yang Ik-June responds to audience question regarding finding main actress for film and also a question about his jacket:


Yang Ik-June Yang Ik-June responds to audience question on why he chose to make this film:


Follow up question on the above response, audience member asked why in South Korea women would be treated differently than other parts of the world:


Yang Ik-June Yang Ik-June responds to audience question regarding the ending of the film (spoiler):


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following video clips are from Sunday November 15, 2009 screening of Chosun Forever at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival with director Joo Hyun Kwon:

Chosun Forever director Joo Hyun Kwon responds to audience question on what the anticipated response by Korean Community to the film:


Christopher Graper from Koryo Tours Canada and Chosun Forever director Joo Hyun Kwon discuss A Schoolgirl's Diary, the feature film programmed with Chosun Forever:


The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.