AAAFF Dispatch: Days One and Two with Chi Pham
The Austin Asian American Film Festival's second night has ended. The only film on Opening Night, The Speed of Life by UT's Ed Radtke was sold out. I didn't make it to the opening party because I had to get up in the morning. I did get a chance to talk briefly with Chi Pham by lucky happenstance. [pictured above, center].
Chi Pham happened to strike up a conversation with a friend and me and ended up sharing quite a bit of his story. Pham plays Dad in All About Dad, the story of a domineering Dad who just can't control his kids any longer. Pham had quite a journey into becoming a bit of a celebrity. Mark Tran and his production were in jeopardy of shutting down because they couldn't find a bilingual actor to play the father. They scattershot posters all over San Jose, California. Pham happened upon one, but before he could actually have the audition, his home was lost in a fire, and lost his voice for some time. But despite the circumstances, he was hired. He's quite a character, too. After the screening of All About Dad he was surrounded by dozens of people wanting a photograph with him.
Despite some logistical confusion and films starting late, the two films I managed to catch today were well worth it. First was All About Dad, which is a story about filial obligations and expectations with a domineering Dad and adult children with dreams that don't align with Dad's wishes. Pham stole just about every scene he was in. Sources tell me that half the humor in Vietnamese doesn't translate, but that it was a rich story even beyond the universal themes. It's funny, heartbreaking, and sweet without being overly sentimental. All About Dad will be out on DVD in December.
The last film of the evening was the heartbreaking Rachmand Pakistani, proceeded by a docu-advert about the Miracle Foundation directed by Turk Pipkin. Rachmand Pakistani is the story of a headstrong boy who storms off in anger, only to end up landing himself and his father in prison, leaving his mother to fend for himself after he unwittingly crosses the border into India. While some of the scenes are longer than most Americans are used to, it's beautifully shot, with a heartbreaking story.
I did stop by the Bollywood Bash at Malverde, but it was packed, and no room for anyone to really dance to the bhangra and other bollywood beats, despite the infectious music.
Tomorrow is going to be a packed day. I'll be seeing several films at South Lamar, but I really wish I could clone myself for the free outdoor screening of Persopolis at the MACC. It'll be quite a celebration, featuring live music as well as food vendors. But I'll console myself with seeing White on Rice, as well as Fruit Fly, by the director of Colma: The Musical. Thanks to Pham's Q&A, I found out that Nanrisa Lee,who plays Xuan in All About Dad, also has a role in Fruit Fly.
AAAFF runs through Sunday night at various venues around Austin, primarily Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.