Asian CineVision (ACV), a non-profit media arts organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Asian and Asian American media expressions, in association with Asia Society, today announced the 28th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) will run July 15-31, 2005. This year’s festival will take place at the Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org), 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) and the IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. Select films will also be shown at the Cinema Arts Centre (www.cinemaartscentre.org), 423 Park Avenue in Huntington, Long Island.
The AAIFF – the nation’s longest running festival devoted to works by filmmakers of Asian descent – is an annual global showcase of feature narrative, documentary, short films, and special programs. This year’s festival kicks off on July 15 with a special advance presentation of Olivier Assayas’ CLEAN, starring the inimitable Maggie Cheung, who will be present at the screening. Cheung is the winner of the 2004 Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actress Award for her nuanced performance in this critically acclaimed film. The international superstar will also be presented with the CineVisonary Award, honoring her contributions to the landscape of international cinema. There will be a mini-retrospective of her career, including Ann Hui’s beautiful and elegant SONG OF THE EXILE, Peter Chan’s charming romantic comedy COMRADES: ALMOST A LOVE STORY, and Johnnie To’s superhero action hit THE HEROIC TRIO. In addition, The Film Society at Lincoln Center will host an intimate One-on-One with the accomplished Cheung, celebrating the unique artistry of this legendary star, who has appeared in more than 80 films.
With 19 world premieres, 14 U.S. premieres, 36 East Coast premieres, and 47 New York premieres, this year’s festival will present films from countries including France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Taiwan, and the United States. From action thriller to romantic comedy, from sci-fi to docudrama, no genre is left untapped. Audiences will have the opportunity to see some of the latest and most innovative films from the Asian diaspora, including the centerpiece presentation of Michael Kang’s touching coming-of-age story THE MOTEL, which will be screened at 7pm on July 21st at the Asia Society; Adam Chin’s compelling assemble piece MALADAPTIVE; Joko Anwar’s spirited and witty JANJI JONI; Francisco Aliwalas’ heart-stopping neo-noir thriller BLUE HOUR; Mystelle Brabbée’s intelligent documentary HIGHWAY COURTESANS and Gaurav Seth’s hilarious and unpredictable PINK LUDOOS.
For cinephiles with a taste for after-peak-hour fare, AAIFF will present its first late-night program NightVisions, a series of edgy and inventive films. The special series includes Oxide Pang’s bloodcurdling AB-NORMAL BEAUTY, Ho-cheung Pang’s hysterical and illicit AV, Miike Takashi’s rousing splatter fest IZO, and Yuthlert Sippapak’s slapstick farce/romantic comedy PATTAYA MANIAC.
For more info, visit the Asian Cinevision website.
