Reel Asian Film Festival

ANNOUNCING THE 13TH ANNUAL TORONTO REEL ASIAN

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 11 TO 15, 2009

Toronto, October 13, 2009 - The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) will celebrate its 13th year as Canada’s premier showcase of contemporary Asian cinema November 11 to 15, 2009. Presenting 49 East/Southeast Asian titles from around the world, from 14 countries, including Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and the United States of America, this year’s line-up includes a number of highly anticipated Canadian premieres, internationally acclaimed features, as well as shorts that hit close to home (12 World Premieres, 7 Canadian Premieres, 17 Toronto Premieres and over 35 guests in Attendance).

This year’s line up has something for everyone, including heart-pumping galas, thrilling dramas, moving shorts, and thought provoking media arts installations. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

GALAS & CENTREPIECE:

· OPENING NIGHT GALA: OVERHEARD (Dir. Alan Mak & Felix Chong, Hong Kong 2009, Canadian Premiere), a suspenseful cop drama starring Lau Ching-Wan, Louise Koo and Daniel Wu.

· CENTREPIECE: RED HEROINE (Dir. Wen Yimin, China 1929), an incredibly rare silent “kung fu” film that was once banned in China with a new live musical performance by Devil Music Ensemble.

· CLOSING NIGHT GALA: BREATHLESS (Dir. Yang Ik-June, South Korea 2008), a hard-hitting indie film.

INTERNATIONAL FEATURES: A selection of award-winning and noteworthy films from:

· Malaysia, WHEN THE FULL MOON RISES by Mamat Khalid, winner of “Best Film” at the Malaysian Film Festival

· The Philippines, YANGGAW by Richard Somes, winner of “Best Movie” at the Star Awards

· Taiwan, YANG YANG by Chen Yu-Chieh, winner of the “Audience Choice Award” at the Taipei Film Festival

· Japan, FISH STORY by Yoshihiro Nakamura, winner of “Best Pop Culture Rush” at the New York Asian Film Festival

· Indonesia, BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY by Edwin, winner of the “FIPRESCI International Critics’ Prize”, Rotterdam

· The USA, FRUIT FLY by H.P. Mendoza, winner of the “Audience Award” at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, and WHITE ON RICE by David Boyle, a hilarious Japanese-American comedy.

· Thailand, AGRARIAN UTOPIA by Uruphong Raksasad, and North Korean film A SCHOOLGIRL’S DIARY by Jang In-Hak look at significant global/social issues facing Asia and Asian Canadians today, and will also include more extensive public discussions.

CANADIAN: With over 30 Asian Canadian titles, we are pleased to present the biggest and best selection of recent Asian Canadian films, videos and new media works. Includes: the world premiere of an erotic tale about family, THE ACHE (Dir. Keith Lock, Canada 2009); a live multi-media performance by Lesley Loksi Chan and Serena Lee called LIVE LONG AND PROSPER; the best of Canadian shorts program SENSE OF WONDER; two youth shorts programs that focus on emerging talents; a special live performance by Toronto’s WORST POP BAND EVER with recent animations by PPF HOUSE (Howie Shia); and installations by Jin-Me Yoon and recent Governor General Award winner, Nobuo Kubota.

INDUSTRY SERIES: Reel Asian focuses on the future of Canadian filmmakers, as the fourth annual INDUSTRY SERIES invites experts in the field to share tricks of the trade in panels, workshops, salons, networking events, and the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH? live competition for $28,000 in movie making equipment and services at Charles Street Video. Reel Asian will announce this year’s award winners at the Closing Night Gala & Awards Ceremony.

Reel Asian was founded in 1997 by producer Anita Lee and journalist Andrew Sun. This charitable community-based festival has grown into an eagerly anticipated annual event that attracts thousands of attendees to 5 frenetic days of galas, special presentations, screenings and parties. Reel Asian aims to foster cultural and artistic exchange, provide a public forum for homegrown Asian media artists and their work, and fuel the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada.

Artistic Director Heather Keung comments on the 2009 line up: “I am so proud to present this dynamic program that truly reflects the diverse and complex interests of Canadian film festival lovers. With the growing support and appreciation for artful and innovative cinema in Toronto, Reel Asian is able to bring a stellar selection of the best Asian titles from around the world. Featuring some of the most resonating films of the year, the 13th Annual Reel Asian has an excellent slate of inspiring new titles by Asian Canadian talent that should not be missed!”

SCREENING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (order by date)

Opening Night Gala | Wed Nov 11 7:00 PM | Bloor Cinema
OVERHEARD | Dir. Alan Mak & Felix Chong | Hong Kong 2009 | Canadian Premiere

Lau Ching-Wan, Louis Koo and Daniel Wu star as three cops torn between money and justice in the highly anticipated Canadian premiere of this suspenseful crime drama.

Youth Shorts Presentation | Thu Nov 12 1:00 PM | NFB Cinema | BLINDED BY GOODNESS

Sifting through folk stories, untold secrets, poetic puns and mixed-up medical files, we discover an intriguing assortment of humorous people who are just trying to be “good.”

Feature Presentation | Thu Nov 12 7:30 PM | Innis Town Hall

FRUIT FLY | Dir. H.P. Mendoza | USA 2009 | Toronto Premiere

An outrageously gay San Francisco musical about a Filipina adoptee.

Feature Presentation | Thu Nov 12 10:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

YANGGAW | Dir. Richard Somes | Philippines 2008 | Toronto Premiere

A father is tormented by his morals when his youngest daughter transforms into a deeply feared monster of the night – an aswang!

Youth Shorts Presentation | Fri Nov 13 1:00 PM | NFB Cinema | MY NAME IS…

In the face of being cast as “outsiders,” these subjects stand out and stand strong in this selection of moving stories and documentaries.

Canadian Shorts Presentation | Fri Nov 13 | 6:15 PM | Innis Town Hall | SENSE OF WONDER

Inspiring our imaginations in the darkest of moments, this year’s selection of the best Asian Canadian shorts invokes a playful outlook on tragedy. Films and videos by Leslie Supnet, Jong Wook Choi, Lydia Fu, Yung Chang, Paramita Nath, Victoria Cheong, Randall Okita, Richard Fung, John Greyson, and Ali Kazimi.

Centrepiece Presentation | Fri Nov 13 8:00 PM | The Royal
RED HEROINE with live score by Devil Music Ensemble | Dir. Wen Yimin | China 1929 | Canadian Premiere
Red Heroine and White Monkey unleash the art of hand, sword, and powerful magic in the Canadian premiere of the only surviving silent “kung fu” film from China, featuring a modern score performed live by Boston band, Devil Music Ensemble. 

Feature Presentation | Fri Nov 13 10:30 PM | Innis Town Hall

WHEN THE FULL MOON RISES | Dir. Mamat Khalid | Malaysia 2008 | Canadian Premiere

In this wildly comedic noir film, an ex-reporter discovers an oddball gang in a haunted village.

Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 14 2:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

AGRARIAN UTOPIA | Dir. Uruphong Raksasad | Thailand 2009 | Canadian Premiere

Two families find themselves farming together on the same field as they face economic, political and social changes sparked by national policy and industrial globalization. Panel with Uruphong Raksasad: Tue Nov 10, 6-8pm at the Asian Institute, Munk Centre

Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 14 5:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

WHITE ON RICE | Dir. Dave Boyle | USA 2009 | Toronto Premiere

A quirky comedy about Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA), a 40-year-old divorcé, who embarks on an enthusiastic mission to replace his ex-wife with someone better, but comes up against his suave friend Tim (James Kyson Lee, HEROES).

Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 14 7:30 PM | Innis Town Hall

YANG YANG | Dir. Cheng Yu-Chieh | Taiwan 2009 | Toronto Premiere
An absorbing coming-of-age tale about a beautiful French-Taiwanese runner whose mother re-marries the father of her track and field rival.

Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 14 10:00 PM | Innis Town Hall

FISH STORY | Dir. Yoshihiro Nakamura | Japan 2009 | Canadian Premiere

A doomsday adventure about a Japanese punk song that rescues humanity. Adapted from the acclaimed book by Kotaro Isaka.

Feature Presentation | Sun Nov 15 12:30 PM | Innis Town Hall
A SCHOOLGIRL’S DIARY | Dir. Jang In-Hak | DPRK (North Korea) 2007 | Canadian Premiere

A story about the daughter of a national researcher provides a remarkably lucid window into the social fabric and cinematic culture of the contemporary DPRK. Preceded by Chosun Forever by Joohyun Kwon.

Feature Presentation | Sun Nov 15 3:30 PM | Innis Town Hall

BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY | Dir. Edwin | Indonesia 2008 | Toronto Premiere

A funny-sad film about a group of strange Chinese Indonesians post 1998, including a blind dentist and his firecracker-eating daughter.

Feature Presentation | Sun Nov 15 5:30 PM | Innis Town Hall

THE ACHE | Dir. Keith Lock | Canada 2009 | World Premiere

A young Chinese Canadian woman working in an erotic parlour unravels the shameful mysteries of her cursed family and father’s illicit affair with a spirit.

Closing Night Gala & Awards Ceremony | Sun Nov 15 8:00 PM | The Royal

BREATHLESS | Dir. Yang Ik-June | South Korea 2009 | Toronto Premiere

Talented debut director, writer and actor Yang Ik-June plays a frustrated extortionist who tries to escape his violent past after he meets a wayward schoolgirl.
FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Phone: 416 703 9333, Email: info@reelasian.com, Website: http://www.reelasian.com

SCREENING AND INDUSTRY SERIES VENUES

Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St W at Bathurst

The Royal, 608 College St at Clinton

Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave at St. George

National Film Board (NFB) Cinema, 150 John St at Richmond

Munk Centre for International Studies, 1 Devonshire Place at Hoskin

INSTALLATION VENUES

Trinity Square Video, 401 Richmond St W Suite 376
Vtape, 401 Richmond St W Suite 405

TICKETS & PASSES:  Regular Price Discount Price*

Regular Programs......................................... $12............................. $10

Youth Programs............................................ $5............................... $5

Opening Night Gala..................................... $20............................. $15

Centrepiece Presentation ............................. $15............................. $12

Closing Night Gala....................................... $15............................. $12

Festival Pass................................................ $80............................. $65

Industry Pass............................................... $45............................. $25

4-Pak (no galas, in advance only)................ $35............................. $30

*Discount applies to students (with valid current ID), seniors over 65 (no ID required), or group sales (by arrangement)

ADVANCE BOX OFFICE – OPENS OCT 14

Walk-Up Sales (until Saturday, Nov 7 at 6:30pm)

· T.O. Tix (Yonge-Dundas Square) 12:00pm – 6:30pm

· Tuesday through Saturday only – closed Sundays & Mondays

· Cash, debit or credit cards (Visa/MC/AMEX) only – no cheques

· Passes, Screening 4-Paks, single tickets

Web Sales (until Monday, Nov 9 at 11:59pm)

· Online at http://www.reelasian.com

· Credit cards only (Visa/MC/AMEX)

· Passes, Screening 4-Paks, single tickets

BUYING TICKETS DURING THE FESTIVAL

Festival Box Office: Nov 12-15

· Innis College Lobby (2 Sussex Av) open from noon

· Festival Box Office closes 20 minutes after start of the last screening of the day

· Cash sales only – no credit cards, cheques or debit cards

· Buy any future-day tickets or passes (No 4-Paks sold after Nov 9)

Venue Box Offices: Nov 11-15

· At each screening venue

· Opens an hour before and closes 20 minutes after the start of each screening

· Cash sales only – no credit cards, cheques or debit cards

· Sells ONLY same-day tickets for that venue

GROUP SALES – call Reel Asian at 416 703 9333

ADVANCE BOX OFFICE INFOLINE – call T.O. Tix at 416 536 6468 x 40