THE 14TH ANNUAL TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 9 TO 15, 2010
The 2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) will celebrate its 14th year as Canada’s longest-running and largest showcase dedicated to contemporary cinema by East Asian and Southeast Asian moviemakers from Canada and around the world. From November 9 to 15, 2010, the festival will present more than 50 films and videos from over ten countries, including Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the United States and Canada.
Offering a finely-balanced combination of community mixed with film festival glamour, 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. This year, the festival has been expanded by two days to provide an even larger selection of screenings and events!
Reel Asian strives to develop programming that reflects the cultural diversity of Canada and increases public understanding and appreciation of the artistic, social and cultural contributions of people of Asian heritage through film. Reel Asian is a lively and engaging festival that brings together local talent, international directors, academics, industry, and new audiences. This November, thousands of people will attend Reel Asian for special screenings with directors in attendance, receptions, panels, workshops, live presentations, and more.
The following press release includes key announcements, sneak peeks and festival details.
Reel Asian’s full festival line-up, including the Opening Night Gala film, will be announced at the Official Press Launch on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
REEL ASIAN HEADS TO RICHMOND HILL!
As part of our initiative to reach new audiences beyond the downtown core, Reel Asian recently presented films such as UP THE YANGTZE (Yung Chang) and LAST TRAIN HOME (Lixin Fan) to hundreds of excited audience members in the 905 area. This fall Reel Asian makes the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts a part of its official program, and will be presenting Hong Kong blockbuster IP MAN 2 on October 18, and a second screening of the closing night film, AU REVOIR TAIPEI, on November 15.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: IP MAN 2 (Dir. Wilson Yip, Hong Kong 2010)
Presented with The Reel Thing at the Richmond Hill Center for the Performing Arts
In 1949 Hong Kong, Wing Chun martial arts master Ip Man struggles to start a new school and comes up against corrupt British authorities. Based on the true story of Bruce Lee’s Master Ip Man, and starring Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung.
CLOSING NIGHT GALA: AU REVOIR TAIPEI (Dir. Arvin Chen, Taiwan 2010, Canadian Premiere, Director in Attendance)
A lovesick boy, a passive-aggressive bookstore clerk, a jaded mob boss, and a flamboyant gangster come together in this brilliant adventure-romance caper. Taiwanese American director Arvin Chen’s debut feature is sweet, absurd, and gleaming with visual style.
SNEAK PEEKS:
BI, DON’T BE AFRAID (Dir. Dang Di Phan, Vietnam/France/Germany 2010)
Winner of SACD Best Screenplay Award at Cannes International Critic’s Week
BI, DON’T BE AFRAID is seen through the eyes of Bi, a precocious six-year-old boy who lives with his parents, his aunt, and his grandfather, who, after a long absence, has suddenly returned with a grave illness. Director Phan contrasts the gradual deterioration in the adults’ lives with the youthful innocence of a perceptive young boy in a remarkably assured directorial debut that heralds the arrival of one of Asia’s most promising new filmmakers.
TOILET (Dir. Naoko Ogigami, Japan/Canada 2010, North American Premiere, Director & Cast in Attendance)
Three siblings, a nerdy engineer, a brilliant pianist and an aspiring air guitarist, struggle to relate to their estranged Japanese grandmother after the death of their mother. Shot in Toronto, the film features an almost all-Canadian cast. Director Ogigami gained both national and international recognition with KAMOME DINER (2006) and MEGANE (2007).
OXHIDE II (Dir. Liu Jiayin, China 2009, Toronto Premiere)
A father, mother, and daughter (the filmmaker) make dumplings together in this brilliant feature film where simple actions become mesmerizing and meaningful.
DOOMAN RIVER (Dir. Zhang Lu, South Korea/France 2010, Toronto Premiere)
Chang-Ho is a 12-year-old boy who befriends a North Korean who has just crossed the border between North Korea and China. Chinese Director Zhang Lu beautifully portrays the complexities of nationalism and humanity from a young boy’s perspective living along one of the most important and least understood borders of our time.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: SUITE SUITE CHINATOWN (with live music)
This exciting new commission of works by Chinese Toronto-based directors (Lesley Loksi Chan, Lillian Chan, Aram Sui Wai Collier, Heather Keung, Howie Shia, and Joyce Wong) on the theme of “Chinatown” will include new music composed by Arthur Yeung and a live performance by a Scarborough youth stage band.
SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION: KOJI YAMAMURA – MASTERY OF THE FORM
Oscar-nominated Koji Yamamura (FRANZ KAFKA’S A COUNTRY DOCTOR) is one of the most successful animation filmmakers in Japan today. Yamamura will be in Toronto for a masterclass and programme of his work specially-curated by Michael Fukushima and Marco de Blois.
GALLERY INSTALLATION: RMB City by Cao Fei (aka China Tracy) at A Space, 401 Richmond St. W., November 5 to December 18
RMB CITY is a virtual utopia that boldly illuminates the complexities and contradictions of contemporary China. Using role-play, depictions of iconic architecture and the platform of Second Life, Cao Fei (aka China Tracy) acts as a guide, philosopher, and tourist. Her series of new Chinese fantasy realms are self-contradictory, political, and laden with irony and suspicion. Cao Fei is a young artist who has become internationally acclaimed for her extensive investigation into art in the virtual world. Reel Asian is thrilled to present her first solo show in Canada.
PITCH COMPETITION
Reel Asian's 5th Annual Pitch Competition, So You Think You Can Pitch?, is back for 2010! A collaboration between the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and Charles Street Video (CSV), the pitch competition features prizes worth a combined value of $28,000. Ten teams of filmmakers will have six minutes to pitch their projects to vie for over $10,000 (emerging category) and $18,000 (professional category) worth of production, post services and artist's fees at CSV. Applications are being accepted until Friday, September 24, 2010 – visit our website www.reelasian.com to apply.
KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
Earlybird Sales Start September 13 for Passes, Galas & Select Shows
Online sales through www.reelasian.com - click "Buy Tickets"
Walk-up sales through T.O. Tix at Yonge-Dundas Square (Tuesday through Saturday 12pm-6pm)
Charge-by-phone: 1 888 222 6608 | Group Sales: 416 703 9333
EARLYBIRD PRICING EXPIRES OCTOBER 12!
Advance Sales Start Oct 13 for All Shows
Online sales through www.reelasian.com - click "Buy Tickets"
Walk-up sales through T.O. Tix at Yonge-Dundas Square (Tuesday through Saturday 12pm-6pm)
Charge-by-phone: 1 888 222 6608 | Group Sales: 416 703 9333
DURING THE FESTIVAL
Future Day Tickets (starting November 9 at Innis Town Hall, open from noon until 20 minutes before the last screening)
Online sales through www.reelasian.com until 11:55pm the day before the show - click "Buy Tickets"
Walk-up sales at Innis Town Hall until the day before the show – cash only
Charge-by-phone: 1 888 222 6608 until 11:55pm the day before the show
Same Day Tickets (available one hour before the screening)
Walk-up sales at each venue - cash only
TICKETS & PASSES:
Regular Price / Discount Price*
Regular Screenings $12 / $10
Youth Screenings $5 / n/a
Opening Night Gala $20 / $15
Closing Night Gala $15 / $12
Centrepiece Presentation $15 $12
Festival Pass $80 / $65
Industry Pass $45 / $25
4-Pak (no galas or centrepiece, in advance only) $35 / n/a
*Discount applies to students (with valid current ID), seniors over 65 (no ID required), earlybird purchases (before Oct 13) or group sales (by arrangement)
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