Austin Community News >> Austin Asian Film Festival

10/29/07 Austin, TX- Come out to the 4th Annual Austin Asian Film Festival November 3rd and 8-11th, 2007. The Austin Asian Film Festival is the largest Asian film Festival in Austin and second largest in all of Texas. This year, we are proud to screen over 60 films over 5 days. The event will take over Austin as we are screening at 8 venues! Here is a quick rundown of just some of the amazing screenings you may be interest in. Please take a look and come out to some of the screenings. Our mission is to create the premiere film festival for and about the Asian/Asian-American communities and we can only grow when we get people, like you come out to see these wonderful films. Please go to our website ( www.cinemaasiaaustin.org) for a full list of the 2007 selection or for more information.

Opening Night Film
Summer Palace, Director: Lou Ye

Date/Time: 11/8/07, 6:30-9pm
Location: Alamo Drafthouse (Alamo Village)
2700 W Anderson Lane
Austin, TX

About the film:
Mostly likely the biggest story to come out of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, the epic romance, Summer Palace made headlines when acclaimed director, Ye Lou was banned from filmmaking for five years by China government. Accepted by Cannes with the Chinese government’s permission combined with rare military footage was enough for the punishment. Recently was picked up by Palm Pictures and Austin Asian Film Festival is proud to present the Texas Premiere.

Synopsis:
At a Beijing’s University, country girl, Yu Hong discovers an intense world of sexual freedom and forbidden pleasures. Yu quickly falls in love with fellow student, Zhou Wei. As tensions rise in China (1987-2001), fellow students begin to demonstrate, demanding democracy and freedom. When protests hit a climax, the two young lovers are hastily separated. Years later, in a small town, Yu and Zhou reunited. But times have changed and so have they. Will they find peace together or drift out of each other’s lives once again?

Opening Night Party
Date/Time: 11/8/07, 10pm
Location: Silhouette Restaurant and Bar
718 Congress Ave
Austin, TX

Come join us as we celebrate the start of the festival! There will be a live DJ, free Japanese appetizers and drinks. Meet with artists, filmmakers, community members and other people who enjoy Asian cinema. All are welcome and is free to the public.

Outdoor Screening!!! World Premiere
The Impetuous Angel, Director: Nina Zhao

Date/Time: 11/10/07, 7-9pm
Location: MACC (Mexican American Cultural Center)
2700 W Anderson Lane
Austin, TX

About the Screening:
Asian cinema screened outside right next to Lake Ladybird? Oh yes! We are proud to present the world premiere of Nina Zhao’s newest film, The Impetuous Angel. And it’s free to the public! So bring a blanket and enjoy this rare event.

Synopsis:
A new college grad, Xia goes to a remote mountain village (in northern China) with a hope the dream of teaching. She quickly meets Lin Lin, an orphan boy, who sadly has AIDS. Having witnessing unfair treatment by the town folk, she decides to stay and privately teach the child. Xia has to battle with violent town folk, her frustrated boyfriend and in the end, her own phobias about AIDS.

First Time Ever! Screening at Austin Karaoke
Big Dreams, Little Tokyo, Director: Nina Zhao

Date/Time: 11/10/07, 7-9pm
Location: Austin Karaoke
6800 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX

About the Screening:
Big Dreams, Little Tokyo is a hilarious comedy about culture and identity. It’s a perfect film to screen at Austin Karaoke. Please come early, as there is limited seating and we predict this show WILL sell out quickly.

Synopsis:
BIG DREAMS LITTLE TOKYO is the story of Boyd, an American with an uncanny ability to speak Japanese. Boyd aspires to succeed in the world of Japanese business, but finds himself mostly on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, his roommate Jerome is a Japanese-American, who has always felt too American to be Japanese, but too Japanese to be American. He aspires to be a sumo wrestler, but finds his weight and blood pressure are thwarting his dreams. Together they struggle to find their place in a world where cultural identity is seldom what it seems.