The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) will celebrate its 18th year from November 6th to 16th, with high-profile guests from around the world, new venues and three special projects focused on themes of memory and archive. This year, Reel Asian will present 44 films from 10 regions including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Canada and the United States.
With an extensive line-up, I have compiled my picks of films and other events worth checking out.
Fri Nov 7, 7:00 PM, The Royal
AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS
Directors Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco
Based on the immensely popular YouTube series, this film features the Asian “bad guys” of our favourite childhood action movies in an action comedy that pays homage to the actors who played iconic yet nameless Asian villains on the silver screen.
This is a very funny yet a hearfelt homage to many of the Asian actos who portrayed the “thugs” or “nameless bad guys” in many films some of us have grown up with. Do you remember the “thug” in Schwarzenegger’s Last Action Hero? That was, Al Leong! He is one of other familiar faces who join directors Epino and Dypiangco to avenge the death of Tamlyn Tomita’s twin sister in this hilarious film. Take it from me, this is going to be one badass night out.
Fri Nov 7, 10:45pm, The Royal
HUNTER x HUNTER: THE LAST MISSION
Director Keiichiro Kawaguchi
A film adaptation of the best-selling manga series, the film introduces surprising character twists as Hunters Gon and Killua battle against rogue Hunters who dabbled with the dark power “On.”
Personally, I am not familiar with this manga series. However, I make it a point to check out the animated fims Reel Asian brings year after year. The word on the street is that serious fans of the manga and its TV series are lukewarm to this film. I suggest you judge for yourself.
Sat Nov 8, 4:00pm, The Royal
DON’T THINK I’VE FORGOTTEN: CAMBODIA’S LOST ROCK AND ROLL
Director John Pirozzi
Combining interviews of Cambodian musicians with rare archival material and songs, this documentary tracks the twists and turns of Cambodian music as it morphs into rock and roll, blossoms, and is nearly destroyed along with the rest of the country.
Music and historical documentaries always make for an interesting viewing. Through stories from Cambodian musical stars from the 50s, 60s and 70s, lyrics, and songs, mixed with archival footage, we learn more about the country’s history. Definitely a bittersweet story about the country’s musical identity and about how it almost destroyed itself entirely. Worth attending for any history and music film buff.
Fri Nov 14, 7:00pm, The Royal
Closing Night Gala: MONSOON SHOOTOUT
Director Amit Kumar
Featured in the Cannes Midnight Program, this is an innovative and gritty cop drama with choose-your-own-adventure style twists that keep you guessing.
For those of us who truly like crime dramas, this should be a good way to close out your time at Reel Asian. The film garnered positive reviews after its Cannes debut. It is more than a cop-gangster film. It has an interesting plot, as well as incorporating some nice looking cinematography. Be sure to make time for this.
Industry and Art Series
Sun, Nov 9, 10:00am, George Ignatieff Theatre
Live Finale: So You Think You Can Pitch? Competition
Free Admission. Open to the Public.
A collaboration between Reel Asian and Charles Street Video, this competition features prizes worth a combined value of more than $35,000. Teams of filmmakers will have six minutes each to pitch their projects to vie for $2,000 in cash from National Bank and $10,000 (emerging category) and $18,000 (professional category) worth of equipment and production services from Charles Street Video.
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| So You Think You can Pitch? 2013 – Source: ReelAsian |
Tuesday November 11, 6:45pm, AGO Jackman Hall
Memories to Light Toronto
This is an initiative of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), where home movies from the Asian American experience are preserved and shared with the public. This one-time only presentation which features live narration by CAAM Executive Director Stephen Gong and musical accompaniment by Toronto artist Casey Mecija
These are but a few carefully chosen fims and events taking place during Reel Asian’s Toronto portion of the festival. It runs from November 6th to 16th with screenings at the Royal Cinema. For full festival line up, box office, venue listings, and information on the Richmond Hill portion of the festival, go to reelasian.com.
