Austin Asian American Film Festival Preview

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AAAFF 2009Next Thursday, the sixth annual Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) begins for four days of films, panels and special events celebrating the best in Asian and Asian American independent film.  Like other niche festivals, it's got a lot more to offer than the title might suggest to the uninitiated. 

This is a town that celebrates film, not just the big festivals, so it should not be surprising that the films will have universal appeal despite their only common themes being an Asian connection. It is also a good reminder that Asia is much more than the countries with a northern Pacific coastline, and are as far west as Israel. And that Asian films are not just chop-socky; the program at AAAFF includes documentary, experimental, animated, narrative and social justice films. 

Two such films are Sita Sings the Blues and Persepolis, the former an Independent Spirit Award nominated film, and the latter nominated for an Oscar. Both are beautifully made, personal stories within animated works that are equally poignant and sharp. And luckily for us, both are screening for free to the general public. Sita Sings the Blues is screening at the MACC, and Persepolis is part of an outdoor celebration that will include bands and food vendors. 

Among the other films and events to catch during AAAFF:

Are You Angry Yet is a conversational panel on the University of Texas campus between blogger Angry Asian Man and UT's Dr. Nhi Lieu. The focus is on questions of identity, media representation and the politics of Asian American cultural production.

Speed of Life, by Austin-based director Ed Radtke, is the fest's opening-night film; It's about Sammer, a boy who "steals videos cameras from tourists in order to see the world through their vacation footage, stumbles across a mystery from the past."

White on Rice, directed by Dave Boyle. I don't need to know anything else, that title alone makes it a must-see. This There is a special screening for UT students, as well as the public screening at Alamo Lamar.

A Village Called Versailles has director S. Leo Chiang in attendance. Another that grabs me just by the title, because it's guaranteed to shake up perspectives. This post-Katrina documentary is about a neighborhood populated with many Vietnamese "boat people" struggling to recover while facing the prospect of a toxic dumpsite in the area.  

Fruit Fly by H.P. Mendoza is the story of Bethesda, a Filipina on a quest to find her biological parents, moves into an art commune, and realizes "that she just might be a fairy princess." Mendoza also directed Colma: The Musical. Anyone who can make an interesting musical about a city with more bodies in the ground than above is someone to watch in my book.

Old Partner is the South Korean documentary by Lee Chung-Ryoul. I don't recall seeing a South Korean doc before, and the premise is intriguing.  An elderly farmer caring for his elderly oxen.  Between Hong-jin Na (The Chaser), Park Dae-Min (Private Eye), Chan-wook Park (Thirst, Oldboy), Joon-ho Bong (The Host) and Kyu-Dong Min (Antique), I've become quite fond of contemporary South Korean Cinema, so I'm gravitating towards this. 

These are only highlights -- there are 40 films screening during AAAFF. The fest venues include Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, UT Student Union Theater, and Mexican American Culture Center (MACC), for films and panels.  Other venues are used for the parties, such as Silhouette KTV Lounge for the Opening-Night Party and Mal Verde for a Bollywood Blowout Party.  Every good film festival has official parties, but these sound exceptionally fun. I mean, really, "Tehranasorous" is a band playing at the (free!!) Persepolis screening. 

Buying a badge will get you into the parties, but some of the events are also free, and some others can RSVP.  This is a great deal for those without a badge, but you can purchase the VIP badges for a limited time through that same link for only $50, or a student badge with limited access for $18.  Individual tickets are $8. Some events are free, so check the schedule.

Founded in 2004, the Austin Asian American Film Festival celebrates the best in Asian and Asian American independent cinema.  AAAFF 2009 runs from Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 16.  You can follow AAAFF through their website, Facebook and Twitter