AAAFF Dispatch: Day Three

What a great day at Austin Asian American Film Festival.  I managed to see four features despite a migraine, because the last film was the one film I absolutely had to see (and it didn't disappoint). 

The day started with People in the Shadows, a documentary on people in the streets of Tehran. It was more verite, and not enough cinema for me (specifically, not enough context). 

But then there was White on Rice, with a quick introduction by co-star Lynn Chen. Hiroshi Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima) plays Jimmy, who, despite being in his forties, is still relying on other people to get by -- currently his sister, nephew, and long suffering brother-in-law. When his brother-in-law's niece Ramona (Chen) comes to stay, Jimmy becomes obsessed.  Look for a supporting role by James Kyson Lee (Heroes), including an unexpected breakfast-cereal-related costume scene.  It's funny, and a crowd pleaser, which is good, because it was another sold-out crowd.

Next up was Children Of Invention, Tze Chun's story of a single mom and her two children, who can't seem to catch a break. Despite the subject matter, it plays much lighter than the material suggests. 

It's the last film of the day that I was waiting for.  Despite a migraine, I stuck it out to see Fruit Fly, and wasn't at all disappointed.  Not only was director and composer H.P. Mendoza in attendance along with star L.A. Renigen [pictured above], but we were treated to a special live performance of one of the songs. Yes, songs. Because Fruit Fly is a "gaysian" musical.

In Fruit Fly, Filipina performance artist Bethesda moves to San Francisco to try to find herself and her biological mother.  The songs are smart, funny and politically incorrect.  Being a patron of mass transit, the first song "Public Transportation" made me laugh, but several of the songs had the audience laughing and clapping, including "We Are Hag" and songs about the problems with versatile bottoms ... well, it was no surprise it was sponsored by aGLIFF. 

Thanks to the migraine, I had to skip the party tonight, but on my way home I got a reminder about the weirdness that is Austin. A jazz procession and parade went by the Alamo, apropos to nothing that I know of, but you just never know, do you?  I'm hoping to put in a full day tomorrow, on the last day of AAAFF for this year.