what to see | special events | eat/drink
The 21st San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival brings together over 130 Asian and Asian American films in 13 days. It's a lot to take in, so we're here to help you sort through it all. Below, you'll find our short list of films to catch, along with a summary of other special Festival events, and a list of some excellent Japantown dining establishments.
Read on, and if you have anything to add contact us or post it in our forum.
what to see
Thursday, 3/6
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM
Easy. There's only once choice.
Friday, 3/7
NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL
Debut by German director Matthias Keilich centered around the life of a Korean German character played by Ill Young Kim. Also features Ju Youn Kim.
KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI
This film has it all: multiple love triangles, flashbacks, and bright colors.
CROUCHING ASIAN, HIDDEN CHEESE
If you're looking for variety, this is it. Includes works by Daniel Hsia (HOW TO DO THE ASIAN SQUAT), Wes Kim, and Nobu Adilman.
Unemployed Pick(s): THIS IS THE SPACE AND PLACE (4:30pm) or BOLLYWOOD BOUND (4:45pm)
Saturday, 3/8
CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES
Stars Michael Idemoto, and features Jacqueline Kim, whom you may remember from Star Trek (Sulu's daughter) and Xena: The Warrior Princess (Xena's former teacher, Lau Ma). Ebert liked it.
MUTINY
See the documentary, and then see them live at Directions in Sound.
Sunday, 3/9
BANG THE MACHINE
Hadouken! Sho-ryu-ken! Ya-ta!
ELIANA, ELIANA
A beautifully shot Indonesian film. And she's not afraid to kick you in the crotch.
3RD I SOUTH ASIAN INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 2003
Curated by 3rd i SF. Did I mention the shorts programs tend to sell out fairly quickly?
Monday, 3/10
MY LIFE AS MCDULL
Whose mother doesn't want their kid to grow up to be "as handsome as Chow-Yun Fat or Tony Leung"? Check out this review.
NEW MOON (BAGONG BUWAN)
Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya's latest film deals with the Muslim-Christian conflict in the Phillipine south. Read more about the film here.
JUST ANOTHER TOOTHPICK IN THE WALL
Shorts from Asia. Features THE SKYWALK IS GONE, by Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang.
Unemployed Pick: REFUGEE (1:00pm)
Tuesday, 3/11
MORNING SUN
A special presentation of the Festival, this documentary takes a look back at the Cultural Revolution, interviewing ex-Red Guards and their victims.
MUSIC VIDEO ASIA
20 music videos from all across Asia, featuring the music of artists such as Cornelius, DJ Shadow, and Alms for Shanti. Even more notable: Directors Wong Kar-Wai and Raymond Red.
Unemployed Pick: WET SAND (1:00pm)
Wednesday, 3/12
LONG LIFE, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY
Director Mina Shum's third feature.
UNKNOWN PLEASURES
Aimlessness and ennui. Youth in modern China.
Unemployed Pick: CHICKEN RICE WAR (1:00pm)
Thursday, 3/13
Greg Pak's ROBOT STORIES.
A collection of four stories featuring actors such as Tamlyn Tomita and Sab Shimono. Afterwards at the gala: Mini-bot Sumo Matches!
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special events
Opening Night Gala
Thursday, 3/6 9:30pm, $20
Green Room
San Francisco War Memorial, 401 Van Ness, SF
Featuring: DJ Rekha (Basement Bhangra, NYC), Sanxe Loveji, Henna Artist
Directions in Sound - Rock Showcase
Friday, 3/7 @ 8:00pm, $7, (21 and over)
Cafe Du Nord, 2170 Market Street, SF
Featuring:
Castro (NYC), Pete the Genius (SF), From Monuments to Masses (SF), Piano Drag (LA), Monumental Divide (LA)
Directions in Sound: South Asian Electronica Meets Hip-Hop Underground
Saturday, 3/8 @8:30pm, $15 (21 and over)
StudioZ.TV, 314 11th Street, SF
Mutiny meets Dhamaal:
Mutiny Crew: Featuring DJ Siraiki and DJ Rekha.
Dhamaal: Featuring Maneesh the Twister, Janaka, Mercury Bonez, Ferhan, Dhruva, Adheesh, Shabi, el Diablo, Insomnia Pictures, JeanSe.
Hip-Hop don't Stop:
Featuring: derrick D (Triple Threat DJ Media), mike nice (Wordlife Promotions), ren (Tru Skool), aww damn, snake eyes, doc fu (Future Primitive)
Panel: Bollywood and America--New Directions, New Markets
Sunday, 3/9 @ 12:00pm, $5
Osaka Room
Radisson Miyako Hotel, 1625 Post, SF
Moderated by: David Chute, film critic, editor of Film Comments special section "Bollywood Rising"
Panelists: Suri Gopalan, CEO, Cinebella (distributor of LEELA, AGNIVARSHA)
Shiraz Jivani, CEO, NAZ8 Cinemas
Benny Mathews, director, WHERE'S THE PARTY YAAR?
Lisa Tsering, journalist, India West
Panel: The Intimate Art of DV Filmmaking
Sunday, 3/9 @ 3:00pm, $5
Osaka Room
Radisson Miyako Hotel, 1625 Post, SF
Moderated by: Zoe Elton, Director of Programming, Mill Valley Film Festival
Panelists: Eric Byler, director, CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES
Greg Pak, director, ROBOT STORIES
Rob Nilsson, director, CHALK
Wayne Wang, director, THE CENTER OF THE WORLD
Closing Night Gala
Thursday, 3/13 @ 9:30pm, $20
Green Room
San Francisco War Memorial, 401 Van Ness, SF
Featuring:
Mini-bot Sumo Matches, provided by Robotics Society of America - San Francisco Chapter
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eat and drink
Cafe Mums 1800 Sutter St. (415.931-6986)
$20 all-you-can eat shabu shabu. Call ahead.
maki 1825 Post St. (415.921.5215)
Located in the Kinokuniya Building. Get there early.
New Korea House 1620 Post St. (415.931.7834)
Korean & Korean BBQ (get a discount w/a SFIAAFF ticket stub)
San Wang Restaurant 1682 Post St. (415.921.1453)
Chinese food in J-town.
Yo-Sho-Ku-Ya (On the Bridge) 1581 Webster St. Ste. 205 (415.922.7765)
Located on the Bridge over Webster street. Japanese/European fusion. 38 types of curry. 42 types of pasta. Best of all, the little cartoon character looks exactly like the owner/chef!
open late
Denny's
1700 Post St.
Open 24hrs
415.563.1400
Nan Korean Dining Bar
1723 Buchanan St.
Open till 2am
415.409.1777
Sanppo
1702 Post St.
(Mon-Thur: til Midnight, Fri-Sat: til 1:00am)
415.346.3486
drinks
Lord of Balls Lounge
1611 Post St.
(upstairs from Dot restaurant)
Romeo 5 Asian Art Cafe & Bar
1581 Webster St #225 San Francisco
Rookie
1740 Post St.
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