The 15th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival begins tonight with an Opening Night Gala screening of 戀人絮語 (Lover's Discourse). Director 曾國祥 (Derek Tsang) will be in attendance.Other highlights this year include 翻滾吧！阿信 (Jump Ashin!) with director 林育賢 (Lin Yu-hsien) in attendanceand the Closing Night gala 观音山 (Buddha Mountain) also with guests in attendance.
Reel Asian celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with new initiatives including free screenings, larger venues to accommodate growing audiences (over 10,000 each year), a multi-venue media art installation, special guest filmmakers from across Asia and the world, and a major expansion into Richmond Hill. Reel Asian is Canada’s longest-running and largest showcase dedicated to contemporary cinema by East Asian and Southeast Asian moviemakers from around the world.
In a city with around 80 film festivals, Reel Asian stands out as one of the very best. It was named Toronto's Best Small Festival by NOW Magazine. I have always found their programming to be consistently strong. Likewise, their industry series is very useful to filmmakers both Asian and non-Asian. They are highly supportive of the Canadian and Asian filmmaking community and for that I am personally very grateful.
The Reel Asian Film Festival continues until November 13 in Toronto. It moves north and finishes in Richmond Hill from November 18-19.
http://www.reelasian.com/
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THE 15TH ANNUAL TORONTO REEL ASIAN
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NOV 8 TO 19
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NOV 8 TO 19
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year with a series of new initiatives including free screenings, larger venues to accommodate growing audiences, a multi-venue media art installation, special guest filmmakers from across Asia and the world, and a major expansion into Richmond Hill.
15 YEARS OF REEL ASIAN
Reel Asian is Canada’s longest-running and largest showcase dedicated to contemporary cinema by East Asian and Southeast Asian moviemakers from around the world.
Over the past 15 years, Reel Asian has risen to become the leading exhibitor of coveted Asian works with a film repertoire that has included over 330 premieres and over 15 gallery installations at exhibition spaces in the GTA.
Founded in 1997, Reel Asian began as a 3-day event, established in response to the strong interest in Asian films in Toronto, and has since grown to a two-week festival attracting over 10,000 audience members each year. Reel Asian brings highly anticipated premieres of award-winning international films as well as a diverse showcase of independent work made by Asian-Canadian directors.
Today’s most talented and recognized Asian filmmakers made their Toronto debuts at Reel Asian – including Cannes Palme D’Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Mysterious Objects at Noon in 2002), acclaimed Hong Kong directors Johnnie To, Stephen Chow and Tsui Hark (omnibus film 1:99 in 2003), Oscar-nominatedChristine Choy (Ha Ha Shanghai in 2001), and Sundance Grand Prize nominee Lixin Fan (Last Train Home in 2010)
From November 8 to 19, 2011, the festival will present more than 55 films and videos from 12 countries, including Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, the U.S. andVietnam. Reel Asian strives to develop programming that reflects the cultural diversity of Canada and increase public understanding and appreciation of the artistic, social and cultural contributions of those of Asian heritage through film. This year, the festival has expanded by two days to provide an even larger selection of screenings and events!
Highlights include:
GALAS & CENTREPIECE:
· OPENING NIGHT GALA: LOVER’S DISCOURSE (Hong Kong 2010, Canadian premiere, director Derek Tsang in attendance)
· CENTREPIECE PRESENTATION: JUMP ASHIN! (Taiwan 2011, Canadian premiere, director Lin Yu-hsien in attendance)
· CLOSING NIGHT GALA: BUDDHA MOUNTAIN (China 2010, Toronto premiere, guest in attendance)
INTERNATIONAL FEATURES: a selection of award-winning and noteworthy films including
· China – PIERCING 1 by Liu Jian, winner of Best Animated Feature Film, Asia Pacific Screen Awards (2010)
· South Korea – JOURNALS OF MUSAN by Park Jung-Bum, winner of the Tiger Award, Rotterdam Int’l Film Festival (2011)
· South Korea – BLEAK NIGHT by Yoon Sung-Hyun, winner of the FIPRESCI Award, Hong Kong Int’l Film Festival (2011)
· Taiwan – WHEN LOVE COMES by Chang Tso-Chi, winner of 4 Golden Horse Awards including Best Film (2010)
· Thailand – ETERNITY by Sivaroj Kongsakul, winner of the Tiger Award, Rotterdam Int’l Film Festival (2011)
CANADIAN PROGRAMMING:
· World Premiere of Cuong Ngo’s PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST
· Canadian Spotlight LILY ENG: REAL ASIAN-CANADIAN WOMAN WARRIOR
· Canadian Shorts Programs: SEIZE THE MOMENT, TRAILBLAZERS, CROSSROADS and CREATURES
GALLERY INSTALLATION: LOST SECRETS OF THE ROYAL at A Space Gallery and Blackwood Gallery
Four installations commissioned by LIFT and Reel Asian, inspired by an archive of 35mm Hong Kong films from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s. This collection, recovered by Colin Geddes from the basement of Toronto’s Royal Cinema, includes period dramas, comedies, martial arts movies, and pink films.
PITCH COMPETITION
Reel Asian's 6th Annual Pitch Competition—So You Think You Can Pitch?—is back for 2011! A collaboration between Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and Charles Street Video (CSV), this competition features prizes worth a combined value of more than $35,000. Teams of filmmakers will have six minutes each to pitch their projects to vie for $2,000 in cash; distribution through Ouat Media; $10,000 (emerging category) and $18,000 (professional category) worth of production, post services and artist's fees at CSV.
REEL ASIAN HEADS TO RICHMOND HILL!
As part of our initiative to reach new audiences beyond the downtown core, Reel Asian expands to include the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts in its official festival programme. We will be opening at Richmond Hill with the premiere of highly anticipated Hong Kong action film OVERHEARD 2.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (chronologically by date)
TORONTO
Opening Night Gala | Tue Nov 8, 7:00 pm | Isabel Bader Theatre | director in attendance
LOVER'S DISCOURSE | Dir. Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Jimmy Wan | Hong Kong 2010 | Canadian Premiere
Jumping genres from fantasy to thriller, four overlapping stories of individuals afflicted, troubled and obsessed with love in Hong Kong weave into one. Starring Eason Chan, Karena Lam Ka-Yan.
Youth Presentation | Wed Nov 9, 1:00 pm | NFB Cinema | directors in attendance
CROSSROADS
These shorts show youth at a crossroads, confronting generational differences, looking beyond their everyday lives, and ultimately discovering their own dreams.
Feature Presentation | Wed Nov 9, 6:45 pm | Innis Town Hall
SUMMER PASTURE | Dir. Lynn True, Nelson Walker | USA/Tibet 2010 | Canadian Premiere | directors in attendance
An intimate look at nomadic life on a remote Tibetan plain as a young family faces mounting pressure to leave behind their traditional way of life.
Shorts Presentation | Wed Nov 9, 8:45 pm | Innis Town Hall | directors in attendance
TRAILBLAZERS
These delightful stories tell of seniors who have boldly and bravely carved out their own paths; who continue to celebrate their unique identities; who express their artistic desires; and who party like there’s no tomorrow!
Youth Presentation | Thu Nov 10, 1:00 pm | NFB Cinema | directors in attendance
CREATURES
Creepy, crawly, and cute: these animated creatures open doors to our imaginations.
Youth Presentation | Thu Nov 10, 3:00 pm | NFB Cinema
RESIDENT ALIENS
An eye-opening account of three Cambodian-American ex-cons forced to return to their native country.
Canadian Spotlight | Thu Nov 10, 6:30 pm | Innis Town Hall | director in attendance
LILY ENG: REAL ASIAN-CANADIAN WOMAN WARRIOR
Eng's original choreographed performances incorporate elegant and disciplined dance with raw intense movements inspired by martial arts.
Feature Presentation | Thu Nov 10, 8:45 pm | Innis Town Hall
FORTUNE TELLER | Dir. Xu Tong | China 2010 | Toronto Premiere
A revealing documentary about an eccentric but charming fortune teller who services a clientele of prostitutes and shadowy figures, who, like him, are living on the fringes of Chinese society.
Shorts Presentation | Fri Nov 11, 6:15 pm | The Royal | directors in attendance
SEIZE THE MOMENT
This year’s best of Asian-Canadian shorts look at daily fears and anxieties and demand us to seize the moment and take hold of life.
Feature Presentation | Fri Nov 11, 8:45 pm | The Royal | director in attendance
SAIGON ELECTRIC | Dir. Stephane Gauger | USA/Vietnam 2011 | Canadian Premiere
Hip hop dancers from the tough streets of Saigon befriend a ribbon dancer from the countryside. Together, they must dance for their lives to save the only home they know.
Feature Presentation | Fri Nov 11, 11:30 pm | The Royal
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST MOVIE: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS | Dir. Murata Kasuya | Japan 2011 | Toronto Premiere
The infamous Elric brothers’ continuing quest for the Philosopher’s Stone embroils them in a rebellion in the underground city of Milos. Based on Japan’s #1 manga series.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 12, 12:00 pm | The Royal
Feature Presentation | Fri Nov 11, 11:30 pm | The Royal
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST MOVIE: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS | Dir. Murata Kasuya | Japan 2011 | Toronto Premiere
The infamous Elric brothers’ continuing quest for the Philosopher’s Stone embroils them in a rebellion in the underground city of Milos. Based on Japan’s #1 manga series.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 12, 12:00 pm | The Royal
JOURNALS OF MUSAN | Dir. Park Jung-Bum | South Korea 2010 | Canadian Premiere
Bullied at every turn, a lonely North Korean defector in Seoul struggles to survive and maintain his dignity within a society determined to ostracize him.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 12, 2:45 pm | The Royal
BLEAK NIGHT | Dir. Yoon Sung-Hyun | South Korea 2010 | Toronto Premiere
The sudden death of a high-school student reveals the complex and competitive power dynamics among teenage boys in this psychological drama from South Korea.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 12, 5:15 pm | The Royal
WHEN LOVE COMES | Dir. Chang Tso-Chi | Taiwan 2010 | Canadian Premiere
A layered drama about the complex balance of power in a large Taiwanese family dominated by four women and their many secrets. Winner of 2010 Golden Horse Best Film Award.
Centrepiece Presentation | Sat Nov 12, 7:45 pm | The Royal | director in attendance
JUMP ASHIN! Dir. Lin Yu-hsien | Taiwan 2011 | Canadian Premiere
Inspired by a true story, Jump Ashin! follows the adventures and mishaps of a young man determined to be a world-class gymnast. Winner of the 2011 Taipei Film Festival Audience Award.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 12, 10:30 pm | The Royal
PIERCING 1 | Dir. Liu Jian | China 2010 | Canadian Premiere
In this dark animation about corruption in a modern-day factory town, independent filmmaker Liu Jian responds to the financial crisis and its effect on young people inChina.
Feature Presentation | Sun Nov 13, 1:00 pm | The Royal
ETERNITY | Dir. Sivaroj Kongsakul | Thailand 2010 | Canadian Premiere
Eternity is a love story inspired by the Thai belief that the spirit of the dead will return to walk the footsteps of the places it most cherished.
Feature Presentation | Sun Nov 13, 3:00 pm | The Royal | actor in attendance
SURROGATE VALENTINE | Dir. David Boyle | USA 2011 | Toronto Premiere
San Francisco musician Goh Nakamura plays himself as a struggling musician confronted by his high-school crush in this romantic comedy about unrequited love. Co-starring Lynn Chen.
Feature Presentation | Sun Nov 13, 5:00 pm | The Royal | director and talent in attendance
PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST | Dir. Cuong Ngo | Canada/Vietnam 2010 | World Premiere
Based on stories by award-winning author Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Pearls of the Far East explores forbidden desire and true love in this cinematically stunning debut feature.
Closing Night Gala and Awards Ceremony | Sun Nov 13, 8:00 pm | The Royal | guest in attendance
BUDDHA MOUNTAIN | Dir. Li Yu | China 2010 | Toronto Premiere
When three young delinquents move in with an uptight opera singer, personalities clash until they realize they need each other more than they think. Starring Sylvia Chang & Fan Bingbing.
RICHMOND HILL
Opening Night Richmond Hill | Fri Nov 18, 7:00 pm | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
OVERHEARD 2 | Dir. Felix Chong, Alan Mak| Hong Kong 2011
Hong Kong heavyweights Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Daniel Wu return in this crime thriller about greed and betrayal in the high-stakes world of insider trading and corporate espionage.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 19, 1:30 pm | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
SAIGON ELECTRIC | Dir. Stephane Gauger | USA/Vietnam 2011
Hip hop dancers from the tough streets of Saigon befriend a ribbon dancer from the countryside. Together, they must dance for their lives to save the only home they know.
Feature Presentation | Sat Nov 19, 4:00 pm | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
BLEAK NIGHT | Dir. Yoon Sung-Hyun | South Korea 2010
The sudden death of a high-school student reveals the complex and competitive power dynamics among teenage boys in this psychological drama from South Korea.
Closing Night Richmond Hill | Sat Nov 19, 7:00 pm | Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
JUMP ASHIN! Dir. Lin Yu-hsien | Taiwan 2011
Inspired by a true story, Jump Ashin! follows the adventures and mishaps of a young man determined to be a world-class gymnast. Winner of the 2011 Taipei Film Festival Audience Award.
INFORMATION:
SCREENING AND INDUSTRY SERIES VENUES
Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. West, at Queens Park
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 School of Global Affairs, 1 Devonshire Place, at Hoskin
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St.
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
Ÿ Online sales begin at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct 11 through www.reelasian.com (powered by TicketWeb) – click "Buy Tickets". Online sales continue during the festival (see below).
Ÿ Walk-up sales begin at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, Oct 12 through T.O. Tix at Yonge Dundas Square (open Tuesdays through Saturdays 12:00 PM-6:30 PM) – last day for walk-up advance sales is Saturday, Nov 5; for future-day tickets during the festival, see below.
Ÿ Charge-by-phone by calling 1 888 222 6608, starting 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct 11, until 11:55 PM on Monday, Nov 7. Phone sales continue during the festival (see below).
Ÿ Pre-arranged group sales are available by calling 416 703 9333 between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on weekdays. Group sales may be arranged starting Wednesday, Oct 12, until Friday, Nov 4. No pre-arranged group sales during the festival.
DURING THE FESTIVAL
Future Day Tickets
Ÿ Online sales through www.reelasian.com (powered by TicketWeb) until 11:55pm the day before the show – click "Buy Tickets"
Ÿ Walk-up sales (cash only) at the Future Day Sales Desk at the following venues, starting when the box office opens (an hour before the first show of the day):Innis Town Hall Nov 9 & 10; Royal Cinema Nov 11 & 12 – this desk closes 20 minutes after start of the last show of the day.
Ÿ Charge-by-phone: 1 888 222 6608 until 11:55pm the day before the show
Same Day Tickets (available one hour before the screening)
Ÿ Walk-up sales at each venue – cash only
BUYING SINGLE TICKETS FOR RICHMOND HILL
Ÿ Online sales for single shows begin at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct 11 through www.reelasian.com (powered by TicketWeb) and through rhcentre.ca; online sales end at 11:55 PM the day before the show. Please note that tickets purchased online through TicketWeb will be available for pick-up only at the Reel Asian Box Office in the lobby of the RHCPA after 5:00 PM on Friday, Nov 18. Tickets purchased online through rhcentre.ca are available for pickup at the RHCPA Box Office 24 hours after purchase.
Ÿ Walk-up sales begin at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Oct 12 through the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA) Box Office (open Mondays through Saturdays 10am-6pm) – last day for walk-up advance sales in Richmond Hill is Thursday, Nov 17. No single-ticket walk-up sales available at T.O. Tix.
Ÿ During the Richmond Hill Festival (Nov 18-19), tickets for all shows may be purchased from the Reel Asian Box Office in the lobby of the RHCPA: 5pm-9pm on Friday, Nov 18 and 12pm-9pm on Saturday, Nov 19.
BUYING SCREENING 4-PAKS FOR RICHMOND HILL
Ÿ Online sales for Screening 4-Paks available through www.reelasian.com (powered by TicketWeb) from 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Oct 11 until 11:55 PM on Monday, Nov 7. Screening 4-Paks purchased online through TicketWeb will be available for pick-up only at the Reel Asian Box Office in the lobby of the RHCPA after 5:00 PM on Friday, Nov 18.
Ÿ Online sales for Screening 4-Paks also available through rhcentre.ca from 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Oct 11 until 11:55 PM on Thursday, Nov 17. Screening 4-Paks purchased online through rhcentre.ca will be available for pickup at the RHCPA Box Office 24 hours after purchase.
Ÿ Walk-up sales available in Toronto: Oct 12-Nov 5 through T.O. Tix at Yonge Dundas Square (open Tuesdays through Saturdays 12pm-6:30pm)
Ÿ Walk-up sales available in Richmond Hill: Oct 11-Nov 17 through the RHCPA Box Office
TICKETS & PASSES:
Regular Screenings
Youth Screenings
Opening Night Gala (incl party)
Closing Night Gala (incl party)
Centrepiece Presentation
Festival Pass
Industry Series Pass
4-Pak (no galas or centrepiece, in advance only) $36 $30
*Discount applies to students (with valid current ID), seniors over 65 (no ID required), and volume sales (10 or more tickets to any one screening)
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, Telefilm Canada, Celebrate Ontario, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, and our festival major sponsor National Bank.
http://www.reelasian.com/
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