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Subway Cinema press releases Special Thanks to Grady Hendrix and Kristen Osborne
NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
July 1 - 14 Film Society of Lincoln Center (July 1 - 14) Japan Society (July 7 - 10)
The New York Asian Film Festival is ten years old! And we have presents for you! A Takashi Miike World Premiere! The long-awaited animated epic based on Osamu Tezuka`s life of Buddha! The International Premiere of the new movie from Johnnie To! Rare Filipino exploitation! An avalanche of retro screenings to celebrate our tenth birthday! And special guests Tsui Hark, Ryoo Seung-Wan, Su Chao-pin, Takayuki Yamada, Tak Sakaguchi and many more! The New York Asian Film Festival is presented in association with the Film Society of Lincoln Center and
Japan Society`s Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film. We`re deeply grateful for the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York, the Korean Cultural Service New York and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York. Prepare yourselves for the best New York Asian Film Festival yet!!!
2011 STAR ASIA AWARDS
Star Asia Rising Star Award Takayuki Yamada - Japan’s most versatile young actor has gone from being a TV heartthrob to a TRAIN MAN (his breakthrough role) to one of Takashi Miike’s 13 ASSASSINS. And in this year’s Opening Night selection, MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY, he plays every single male part.
Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award Tsui Hark - One of our first events was a retrospective of Hong Kong’s veteran filmmaker and award-winning director, Tsui Hark, way back in 2001. We figured it was time to bring him to the festival and recognize his extraordinary, lifelong contributions to Hong Kong cinema, especially after his latest film, DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME, was a huge box office hit and won “Best Director” at the Hong Kong Film Awards 2011.
SPECIAL FOCUS
WU XIA: HONG KONG’S FLYING SWORDSMEN Presented with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, this special focus is on Hong Kong’s wu xia (literally “martial arts”) films. It’s a genre that’s unique to Hong Kong and while it’s all about showcasing the Chinese martial arts tradition it’s come to refer specifically to that brain-expanding genre of Hong Kong movies that use the cutting edge of cinematography and the best special effects of the time to paint a world full of flying swordsmen, deadly female warriors, legendary blades and more than a touch of fantasy.
SEA OF REVENGE: NEW KOREAN THRILLERS In 2008, when the Korean film industry was at its lowest point, Na Hong-Jin released the word-of-mouth hit, THE CHASER, launching a wave of twisty thrillers focused on intense action and ace performances. In this special focus, presented in association with the Korean Cultural Service New York, we show you the best of what THE CHASER has wrought.
SU CHAO-PIN: TAIWAN’S KING OF ENTERTAINMENT In the US, we think of Taiwanese movies as an endless stream of art films. But with the support of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, we are proud to bring to New York one of the few Taiwanese directors who makes blockbuster hits that actual real live people go to see: Su Chao-pin!
TICKET INFO
Tickets are now on sale for the New York Asian Film Festival. There`s student pricing, senior pricing, member pricing (for Film Society of Lincoln Center members and for Japan Society members) and for tickets at the Film Society of Lincoln Center`s Walter Reade Theater, don`t miss the amazing ticket ten-pack (10 tickets for $99 General Public/ $79 Students & Seniors/ $69 Members). Japan Society will also be running a special “buy 5, save $2 off each ticket” deal (in-person or telephone purchases only). Ticket prices this year will be: $13 general / $9 students & seniors / $8 members for Lincoln Center $12 general / $9 members, students & seniors for Japan Society Single screening tickets and the Ten Film Pass are on sale at
FilmLinc.com and at the Film Society of Lincoln Center`s and box office. Walter Reade Theater 165 West 65th St., close to Amsterdam Ave at Lincoln Center The box office opens at 12:30 PM Monday-Friday, and one half hour before the first screening on Saturday/Sunday. It closes every day 15 minutes after the start of the last show. If there are no evening screenings, the box office closes at 6pm. For more information call 212-875-5601 during hours of operation. For Tickets to Screenings at Japan Society, head to
japansociety.org/japancut. Japan Society 333 East 47th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues part of Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
LINEUP
The 2011 NYAFF slate will include the films listed below, broken down by country...
CHINA
BUDDHA MOUNTAIN (China, 2010, North American Premiere, 105 minutes) gobbling up festival awards around the world, Sylvia Chang stars as a suicidal landlady who rents an apartment to three irritating young hipsters in this transcendent drama from Li Yu (LOST IN BEIJING) one of the only female directors working in China. Popular actress, Fan Bingbing (SHAOLIN), stars as one of the hipsters, but it¹s Sylvia Chang, the most important woman in Chinese show business in the 70`s and 80`s, who owns this movie.
OCEAN HEAVEN (China/Hong Kong, 2010, New York Premiere, 96 minutes) directed by another female director, this movie sees Jet Li team up with cinematographer Christopher Doyle and composer Joe Hisaishi to make a restrained, heartbreaking movie about a dad (Jet Li) trying to teach his autistic son how to live on his own. Beautifully shot, scored, acted and observed, it`s got no action, all heartbreak.
HONG KONG
THE BLADE (Hong Kong, 1995, 100 minutes) A rare screening of Tsui Hark`s martial masterpiece, this is one of the towering achievements of Chinese cinema. In a rare 35mm print.
The movie`s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening. DRAGON INN (Hong Kong, 1992, 109 minutes) Two of Hong Kong`s greatest actresses, Maggie Cheung and Brigitte Lin, take on Donnie Yen`s bloodless eunuch in this Tsui Hark-produced swordplay romance. Directed by Raymond Lee, it`s a remake of King Hu¹s 1967 masterpiece. A brand new print of this classic film, struck specially for the New York Asian Film Festival.
The movie`s producer, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening. DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (Hong Kong, 2010, 122minutes) Tsui Hark`s return to greatness is a Holmes-ian fantasia about spontaneous combustion and kung fu deer. An exiled detective is returned to favor in the Imperial court to solve a series of mysterious deaths that delay the inauguration of the Empress Wu, played by Carina Lau, who won "Best Actress" at the Hong Kong Film Awards 2011 for her performance. The movie also won top prizes in Art Direction, Costume and Make-up Design as well as in Sound Design and Visual Effects.
The movie`s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening. DUEL TO THE DEATH (Hong Kong, 1983, 83 minutes) Ching Siu-tung’s directorial debut deploys ninjas, poisoned blades and some of the world’s most innovative choreography to create a movie that’s one part martial arts film, one part exploitation shocker and one part ballet. Screening on a rare 35mm print!
PUNISHED (Hong Kong, 2011, International Premiere, 94 minutes) The latest movie produced by Johnnie To, this is a hardcore revenge drama featuring a powerhouse turn by Anthony Wong as a real estate billonaire whose wild child daughter has been kidnapped. Bullet-to-the-head action the way Hong Kong used to do it.
RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY (Hong Kong, 1991, 91 minutes) The classic Hong Kong midnight action movie about prison privatization and monsters who strangle you with their guts. Rarely seen on the big screen, this is a full-on, ridiculously crazy mind-melter full of crucifixion, flaying, classic kung fu combat and prison wardens who keep breath mints in their glass eyeballs.
SHAOLIN (Hong Kong/China, 2011, North American Premiere, 131 minutes) It doesn’t get any bigger than this. Superstar Andy Lau, Nic Tse and Jackie Chan all star in this swank, blockbuster retelling of the primal martial arts story: the destruction of Shaolin Temple, which is the birthplace of martial arts. It’s a movie that’s been made many times (hence the alternate title NEW SHAOLIN TEMPLE) but never before has it been this massive, this lavish and this chock full o’action. Centerpiece Presentation.
The movie’s director, Benny Chan, will be at the screening. ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (Hong Kong, 1983 94 minutes) The movie that launched a thousand wu xia, Tsui Hark’s surreal phantasmagoria will blow your mind. Recruiting Hollywood special effects technicians just off STAR WARS and STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE, Tsui Hark’s film reinvented a genre and kickstarted Hong Kong’s entire special effects industry. This is a rare chance to see a 35mm print of this movie in all its big screen glory. Part of Wu Xia focus.
The movie’s director, Tsui Hark, will be at the screening.
JAPAN
ABRAXAS (Japan, 2010, New York Premiere, 113 minutes) Straight outta Sundance comes this movie about a punk rocker turned Buddhist monk who still yearns to rock out.
BATTLE ROYALE (Japan, 2000, 114 minutes) A celebratory screening of Kinji Fukasaku’s masterpiece now that it finally - after 10 years!!!! - has a new distributor who wants people to actually see it. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 109 minutes) The director of FISH STORY and GOLDEN SLUMBER returns to the festival with this family film about a samurai who winds up in the modern era. Surprisingly, it then becomes an exceptional food movie! This is the father-son movie you’ve been looking for.
DARK ON DARK (Japan, 2011, International Premiere, 17 minutes) This short film is the directorial debut from Makoto Ohtake, a well-known Japanese comedian and actor since the 80’s (he’s worked extensively with Takeshi Kitano and the popular City Boys troupe). It’s all about a two-bit talent manager and his outrageously endowed adult video talent bringing peace into the world via their various “gifts.” Screens with HORNY HOUSE OF HORROR.
GANTZ and GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (Japan, 2011, 130 minutes & 150 minutes) Presented back-to-back it’s the uncut, subtitled, live action movies based on Japan’s existential sci fi action manga. It’s the New York Premiere of the subtitled GANTZ and the North American Premiere of the subtitled GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
HEAVENS STORY (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 278 minutes) “King of Pink Films” Takahisa Zeze spent almost two years shooting this 4 hour movie about two random murders and the heartbreak, trauma and healing that spills out from them over the next two decades. Monumental and strange, passionate and philosophical, this is an epic in every sense of the word and a towering achievement in film. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
HORNY HOUSE OF HORROR (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 75 minutes) Japan does the violent porno horror thing better than anyone else and this oddity features butt-walls, wiener-eating and demon hookers. This is the directorial debut from the writer of MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD, and it’s firmly in the vein of that film and ROBO GEISHA. Only, you know, set in a horny house that’s full of horror. Preceded by: DARK ON DARK (see above, 17 minutes)
KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR (Japan, 2011, New York Premiere, 106 minutes) Noboru Iguchi (ROBO GEISHA) makes his best film yet. Not just that, but this is the best-looking flick from label, Sushi Typhoon, yet. Slick, big budget and almost family friendly, it’s based on an obscure TV show from the 70’s about a young, bright-eyed police officer and his karate robot (who transforms into a motorcycle) fighting crime. But in Iguchi’s version, the two split up and have to reunite years later after middle-age has taken its toll.
THE LAST DAYS OF THE WORLD (Japan, 2011, World Premiere, 96 minutes) A return to the trippy, socially-engaged, blackly comic, ridiculously violent revolutionary movies of Japan’s 60’s. A high school student has a vision that the world is ending and so, faced with no consequences, he abducts a fellow student and goes on a crime spree.
LOVE AND LOATHING AND LULU AND AYANO (Japan, 2010, North American Premiere, 105 minutes) Based on a book of interviews with porn film dayworkers, this exuberant, anime-influenced movie about life on the bottom rungs of the adult film business treats life in the porno business as a chance for some actors to escape their humdrum, everyday existences. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY (Japan, 2011, North American Premiere, 90 minutes) Truly trippy, this bizarro musical/variety/samurai/love story from Japan is one solid slab of psychedelia from Yoshimasa Ishibashi, the mad genius behind the FUCCON FAMILY. Opening Night Movie. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema.
The movie’s director, Yoshimasa Ishibashi, and star, Takayuki Yamada, will be at the screenings. NINJA KIDS!!! (Japan, 2011, World Premiere, 100 minutes) Takashi Miike has been impressing critics with 13 ASSASSINS and his 3D remake of HARA KIRI that just played Cannes. Whatever. We’ve got the World Premiere of his insane new kid’s flick about feuding ninja schools. People wonder where all the craziness went from Miike’s two new films? He put it all in here. Your jaw will drop like an elevator with a snapped cable. We love you, Takashi Miike!!! Centerpiece Presentation. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
OSAMU TEZUKA`S BUDDHA: THE GREAT DEPARTURE (Japan, 2011, North American Premiere, 111 minutes) The much-anticipated animated epic based on Osamu Tezuka’s landmark life of the Buddha. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film
RINGING IN THEIR EARS (Japan, 2011, International Premiere, 89 minutes) Yu Irie (8000 MILES 1 & 2) returns with this ambitious flick about an upcoming concert by a reclusive rock group and the managers, obsessed fans, shut-ins, single moms and kindergarten teachers who are affected by it. A true tribute to the healing power of rock and roll. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema
13 ASSASSINS: DIRECTOR`S CUT (Japan, 2010, 141 minutes, New York Premiere) The complete UNCUT version of Takashi Miike’s samurai masterpiece. With 17 minutes of original footage restored.
One of the movie’s stars, Takayuki Yamada, will be at the screening. VERSUS (Japan, 2000, 120 minutes) A a tenth-anniversary celebration of the Japanese zombie action film that launched a thousand horror/splatter/action flicks.
Star and action choreographer, Tak Sakaguchi, and writer, Yudai Yamaguchi, will be at the screening. YAKUZA WEAPON (Japan, 2011, New York Premiere, 105 minutes) stuntman-turned-director, Tak Sakaguchi, turns in a high calibre, action-heavy riff on Robocop all about a robot yakuza out to put his fist through the skulls of the bad guys. From Sushi Typhoon, purveyor of movies like ALIEN VS NINJA. Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema.
The movie’s director and star, Tak Sakaguchi, and co-director and writer, Yudai Yamaguchi, will be at the screening. KOREA
BATTLEFIELD HEROES (Korea, 2011, New York Premiere, 118 minutes) An absurdist satire about war, this movie from Lee Joon-Ik (director of KING AND CLOWN, the highest-grossing Korean film of all time) is like a Terry Gilliam movie gone Korean as a farmer too poor to even have a name gets drafted into one of medieval Korea’s eternal wars.
The movie’s director, Lee Joon-Ik, will be at the screening. BEDEVILLED (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 115 minutes) This time, the ladies are doing it. An all-female version of DELIVERANCE, where a city slicker goes to an insular rural community where she’s not wanted. Possibly the greatest women vs. men movie ever made, lead actress Seo Young-Hee took home six “Best Actress” awards for her performance here. Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
THE CHASER (Korean, 2008, 125 minutes) The thriller that saved the Korean film industry, this mega-hit is what you’d get if you cross-bred Alfred Hitchcock with a pit bull. Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
CITY OF VIOLENCE (Korea, 2006, 92 minutes) An encore presentation of the best all-out action film from Ryoo Seung-Wan (THE UNJUST). Like a less ironic version of KILL BILL.
The movie’s director, Ryoo Seung-Wan, will be at the screening. FOXY FESTIVAL (Korea, 2010, North American Premiere, 110 minutes) A “Making Our Neighborhoods Safe & Happy” festival has the vice cops working overtime in this multi-character comedy that’s like a Robert Altman flick about fetishes. Love - and handcuffs, and nipple clamps - all conspire to save the day from the forces of conformity.
HAUNTERS (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 114 minutes) 50% superhero movie, 50% horror movie and 100% Korean thriller, this bigtime commercial hit is about a troubled kid who can control minds and the simple guy, immune to his ability, who’s out to stop him. Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Korea, 2010, 119 minutes) One part Batman, one part Bourne, Korean mega-star, Won Bin, revamped his image as a hard man of action with this movie about a spy coming out of retirement to take on a ring of organ harvesters. The number one movie at the Korean box office in 2010 (beating INCEPTION and IRON MAN 2), it took home SIXTEEN film awards! Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
MISE EN SCENE SHORT FILM PROGRAM Two 90 minute programs of short films from the genre film festival curated by E J-Yong, Park Chan-Wook, Kim Ji-Woon and Bong Joon-Ho. These short flicks pack more of a punch than longer features, and it`s your chance to see Korea`s future filmmakers making weird little romance, gore and animated films. This year`s line-up has an unhealthy obsession with children and tiny, four-inch-tall women.
MSFF SHORTS (Korea, 2010) Korea’s best directors assemble two selections of that country’s best short horror, action and comedy movies just for you.
THE RECIPE (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 107 minutes) A serial killer escapes from prison but is recaptured when he stops to eat a bowl of stew that’s so good he loses track of time. What is the secret behind the stew? Korea finally delivers its best food film with this kitchen romance.
TROUBLESHOOTER (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 99 minutes) Produced by Ryoo Seung-Wan, this is a classic “wrong man” movie, only this time the wrong man is a hardcore ex-cop (Sol Kyung-Gu from the highly successful PUBLIC ENEMY series) and it’s got the black, bleak sense of absurdist humor most thrillers lack. Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
The movie’s producer, Ryoo Seung-Wan, and director, Kwok Hyeok-Jae, will be at the screening. THE UNJUST (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 119 minutes) Longtime festival favorite, action director Ryoo Seung-Wan, turns in this epic, sprawling corruption saga that recalls Sidney Lumet back in his PRINCE OF THE CITY days. Part of Sea of Vengeance focus.
The movie’s director, Ryoo Seung-Wan, will be at the screening.
THE YELLOW SEA (Korea, 2010, New York Premiere, 156 minutes) From the director of THE CHASER, and fresh out of Cannes, this is the Korean action movie in excelsis. A North Korean immigrant is sent to Seoul to perform a hit. Soon the Chinese mafia, the Korean mafia and the cops, are after him and hatchets are deployed, trucks are flipped and all hell breaks loose. Closing Night Movie. Part of Sea of Revenge focus.
The movie’s director, Na Hong-Jin, will be at the screening. MALAYSIA
SELL OUT (Malaysia, 2008, New York Premiere, 110 minutes) One of the best, smartest and funniest movies ever made in Malaysia finally escapes from the clutches of its evil distributor and it was worth the wait. A musical about money, creativity and a reality show focusing on those who are about to die, this is like nothing else in our line-up except (maybe) MILOCRORZE.
PHILIPPINES
MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED (Australia, 2010, New York Premiere, 84 minutes) from the people who made NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD, comes this definitive documentary about the Filipino exploitation film bonanza that erupted in the 70’s and 80’s.
RAW FORCE (Philippines/USA, 1982, 86 minutes) One of the strangest Filipino/US co-productions from the 80’s, this rarely-screened exploitation fever dream is better known by its other title KUNG FU CANNIBALS. With zombies, ninjas, samurai, kung fu, and evil monks, this is the entire 1980’s exploitation industry fired into your eyes via firehose.
TAIWAN
BTS: BETTER THAN SEX (Taiwan, 2002, 92 minutes) One of the most hyperactive, funniest movies about sex you’ll ever see. Pity this poor teenage porn-addict who just wants to find a real girl. Way ahead of its time, this movie manages to be all about sex without feeling pervy. Part of Su Chao-pin focus.
The movie’s director, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening. THE CABBIE (Taiwan, 2000, 94 minutes) Su’s first movie set new trends in Taiwan for actually being entertaining. He wrote this flick based on his experiences driving a cab, and it’s a fast-paced black comedy about a cabbie in love with a traffic cop. Part of Su Chao-pin focus.
The movie’s director, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening. REIGN OF ASSASSINS (Hong Kong/Taiwan/China, 2010, 117 minutes) Co-directed with John Woo, starring Michelle Yeoh and Korean star Jung Woo-Sung, this massive martial arts hit gives the genre a beating, bleeding, romantic heart. Part of Su Chao-pin focus.
The movie’s co-director and writer, Su Chao-pin, will be at the screening. THAILAND
BKO: BANGKOK KNOCKOUT (Thailand, 2010, New York Premiere, 105 minutes) Tony Jaa’s mentor, Panna Rittikrai, will school you now. This exploitation stunt-tacular features all his best stuntmen and women unleashing muay thai, capoeira, dirt bike fu, shovel beatdowns, fights on fire, fights in the water, fights under trucks, fights in mid-air, and two back-to-back climactic smackdowns that have to be seen to be believed.
GUESTS
We`ve got 14 guests coming to this year`s festival, ranging from directors to actors to producers. Three of them have movies that will be getting US releases (Tsui Hark`s DETECTIVE DEE, Na Hong-Jin`s THE YELLOW SEA and Su Chao-pin`s REIGN OF ASSASSINS).
TSUI HARK - Hong Kong`s greatest director, will recieve the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award. We`ll be screening his new film, DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME which will get a theatrical release from Indomina before the end of the year. We`re also screening three of his classics, DRAGON INN (the only female swordplay movie you ever need to see), THE BLADE (his rarely-screened, feral masterpiece) and ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (the 1983 surrealist fantasy film that created the Hong Kong special effects industry).
SU CHAO-PIN - the one director and writer in Taiwan who has never gone the arthouse route, Su Chao-pin is wrote and directed movies like DOUBLE VISION and SILK, and he`s here this year to present his Michelle Yeoh-starring swordplay movie, REIGN OF ASSASSINS, which he co-directed with John Woo. Su is relatively unknown in the West but we`re trying to change that by also screening the first movie he ever wrote, THE CABBIE, based on his experiences driving a cab, and his directorial debut, the hyperactive teen sex comedy, BTS: BETTER THAN SEX.
TAKAYUKI YAMADA - one of Japan¹s hottest young actors, best know for his role in TRAIN MAN, CRYING OUT LOVE IN THE CENTER OF THE WORLD and Takashi Miike`s CROWS ZERO, will be here to receive the Star Asia Rising Star Award. He has a big role in Miike`s 13 ASSASSINS (and we`ll be showing the director`s cut of the film with Yamada doing a Q&A on July 2) and he plays all three of the male leads in the bizarre, head trip that is MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY.
YOSHIMASA ISHIBASHI - creator of the wildly influential 2000 variety show, VERMILION PLEASURE NIGHTS, Ishibashi is a video artist best known for the Fuccon Family of mannequins who must deal with swinging, abduction by serial killers and satanic possession. He`s here with his first feature film, the eye candy freak-out, MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY.
TAK SAKGUCHI - Japan¹s only stuntman/action choreographer/actor/director, Tak Sakaguchi, will be here with his latest movie, YAKUZA WEAPON, which he choreographed and stars in, and co-directed with Yudai Yamaguchi. They`ll also be here for the 20th anniversary screening of VERSUS, the yakuza-vs-zombies movie that launched Tak and Yudai¹s careers.
YUDAI YAMAGUCHI - he co-directed YAKUZA WEAPON but he`s best known for his classic comedies like CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL and BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL. He and Tak will be at the 20th Anniversary screening of VERSUS, the movie he co-wrote and was second-unit director on.
ARATA YAMANAKA - stuntman-turned-actor who has appeared in LOVE EXPOSURE, HELLDRIVER and in YAKUZA WEAPON as part of Tak`s Action Team Zero`s. He`ll be here to do ridiculous, life-threatening things onstage.
YOSHINORI CHIBA - Japan`s most influential underground producer, he`s the man behind Sushi Typhoon, numerous Takashi Miike movies (all the way back to FUDOH), TOKYO GORE POLICE and many more.
RYOO SEUNG-WAN - a festival favorite, and Korea`s great action movie director, Ryoo will be here for an encore screening of his pedal-to-the-metal CITY OF VIOLENCE, and his epic, ambitious thriller, THE UNJUST.
NA HONG-JIN - the man who saved the Korean film industry with his first film, Na will be here with THE CHASER, his already-classic thriller, and his latest movie, fresh outta Cannes, THE YELLOW SEA.
LEE JOON-IK - the King of the Korean Box Office, Lee is the director behind KING & CLOWN, still the highest-grossing Korean movie ever made. His new film is a satire of Korea`s endless medieval wars, BATTLEFIELD HEROES, and when it under-performed at the box office he retired from the film industry. This is his first stop after quitting.
KWON HYEOK-JAE - a longtime collaborator, co-writer and assistant director to Ryoo Seung-Wan, Kwon is here with his directorial debut, TROUBLESHOOTER.
YEO JOON HAN - one of the few independent directors in Malaysia who aren`t trying to make art films, Yeo`s musical comedy SELL OUT!, finally freed from distributor jail, is one of the highlights of this year`s festival. It`s also a movie that almost bankrupted its director.
PETER DAVIS - the star of SELL OUT! was originally a Mixed Martial Arts coach before being discovered by a film director while working on his car. He`s now one of the more popular young actors in Malaysia.
NYAFF SCHEDULE
All listings are for the Walter Reade theatre at Film Society Lincoln Center unless listed otherwise. Start making your plans….now!
Fri, July 1 6:00 SELL OUT (110) – director Yeo Joon Han & actor Peter Davis will appear 9:00 MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY (90) - Director Yoshimasa Ishibashi & star Takayuki Yamada will appear. Yamada will receive the Star Asia Rising Star Award as part of the presentation. 12:00 HORNY HOUSE OF HORROR (75), preceded by DARK ON DARK (17) ** audiences from the 9:00 and 12:00 shows can join us for a special “Horny Happy Hour” in the gallery space across the lobby from the Walter Reade cinema, for free beer (id required) and some snacks, starting at about 11:00 pm
Sat, July 2 12:15 BKO: BANGKOK KNOCKOUT (105) 2:30 PUNISHED (94) 4:30 13 ASSASSINS: DIRECTOR’S CUT (141) – star Takayuki Yamada will appear 7:30 SHAOLIN (131) 10:15 MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED! (84) 12:00 RAW FORCE (86)
Sun, July 3 12:30 A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI (109) 2:45 DUEL TO THE DEATH (83) 4:45 KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR (106) 7:00 NINJA KIDS!!! (100) 9:10 BUDDHA MOUNTAIN (105)
Mon, July 4 1:00 ABRAXAS (113) 3:30 SELL OUT (110) – director Yeo Joon Han & actor Peter Davis will appear 6:30 A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI (109) 9:00 THE LAST DAYS OF THE WORLD (96)
Tue, July 5 1:30 BUDDHA MOUNTAIN (105) 3:45 THE RECIPE (107) 6:15 ABRAXAS (113) 8:45 KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR (106)
Wed, July 6 1:00 FOXY FESTIVAL (110) 3:30 THE UNJUST (119) 6:15 HAUNTERS (114) 8:45 BEDEVILLED (115)
Thu, July 7 1:15 OCEAN HEAVEN (96) 3:30 B.T.S. BETTER THAN SEX (92) – director Su Chao-pin will appear 6:15 THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (119) 8:45 SHAOLIN (131) Japan Society: 6:45 OSAMU TEZUKA’S BUDDHA: THE GREAT DEPARTURE (111) 9:00 RINGING IN THEIR EARS (89)
Fri, July 8 1:15 THE LAST DAYS OF THE WORLD (96) 3:30 THE CABBIE (94) – director Su Chao-pin will appear 6:45 OCEAN HEAVEN (96) 9:00 FOXY FESTIVAL (110) 12:00 RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY (91) Japan Society: 7:00 LOVE AND LOATHING AND LULU AND AYANO (105) 9:15 BATTLE ROYALE (114)
Sat, July 9 1:30 ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (94) – director Tsui Hark will appear 4:00 REIGN OF ASSASSINS (117) – director Su Chao-pin will appear 7:00 THE RECIPE (107) 9:30 HAUNTERS (114) 12:00 BKO: BANGKOK KNOCKOUT (105) Japan Society: 12:30 GANTZ (130) 3:00 GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (150) ** there will be a special double-feature ticket available for both GANTZ movies, for $20 / $14 students, seniors & members; tickets to individual shows also available 6:00 NINJA KIDS!!! (100) 8:15 YAKUZA WEAPON (105) – director Yudai Yamaguchi & director / star Tak Sakaguchi will appear ** ticket price of $16 general / $12 students, seniors & members also includes admission to a Sushi Typhoon after-party with the guests, plus free food and beer!
Sun, July 10 1:00 REIGN OF ASSASSINS (117) – director Su Chao-pin will appear 4:00 DRAGON INN (109) – producer Tsui Hark will appear 7:00 BEDEVILLED (115) 9:30 PUNISHED (94) Japan Society: 12;30 OSAMU TEZUKA’S BUDDHA: THE GREAT DEPARTURE (111) 2:45 HEAVEN’S STORY (278) 8:00 MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY (90) – director Yoshimasa Ishibashi will appear
Mon, July 11 1:30 RINGING IN THEIR EARS (89) 3:30 LOVE AND LOATHING AND LULU AND AYANO (105) 6:00 THE BLADE (100) – director Tsui Hark will appear 9:00 DETECTIVE DEE (122) – Director Tsui Hark will appear & receive the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the presentation.
Tue, July 12 12:30 MISE-EN-SCENE SHORT FILM PROGRAM #1 (92) 2:30 TROUBLESHOOTER (99) – director Kwok Hyeok-jae & producer Ryoo Seung-wan will appear 5:00 VERSUS (119) – star Tak Sakaguchi & writer Yudai Yamaguchi will appear 7:45 YAKUZA WEAPON (105) – director Yudai Yamaguchi & director / star Tak Sakaguchi will appear 10:15 HORNY HOUSE OF HORROR (75), preceded by DARK ON DARK (17)
Wed, July 13 1:00 MISE-EN-SCENE SHORT FILM PROGRAM #2 (92) – short film director guest will appear 3:30 CITY OF VIOLENCE (92) – director Ryoo Seung-wan will appear 6:15 BATTLEFIELD HEROES (118) – director Lee Joon-ik will appear 9:00 THE UNJUST (119) – director Ryoo Seung-wan will appear
Thu, July 14 12:30 BATTLEFIELD HEROES (118) – director Lee Joon-ik will appear 3:15 THE CHASER (125) – director Na Hong-jin will appear 6:15 TROUBLESHOOTER (99) – director Kwok Hyeok-jae & producer Ryoo Seung-wan will appear 9:00 THE YELLOW SEA (156) – director Na Hong-jin will appear
ABOUT THE FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER
Under the leadership of Rose Kuo, Executive Director, and Richard Peña, Program Director, The Film Society of Lincoln Center offers the best in international, classic and cutting-edge independent cinema. The Film Society presents two film festivals that attract global attention: the New York Film Festival, currently planning its 49th edition, and New Directors/New Films which, since its founding in 1972, has been produced in collaboration with MoMA. The Film Society also publishes the award-winning
Film Comment Magazine, and for over three decades has given an annual award (now named “The Chaplin Award”) to a major figure in world cinema. Past recipients of this award include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks. The Film Society presents a year-round calendar of programming, panels, lectures, educational programs and specialty film releases at its Walter Reade Theater and the new state-of-the-art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, opening June 2011. The Film Society receives generous, year-round support from 42BELOW, American Airlines, The New York Times, Stella Artois, the National Endowment for the Arts, WNET New York Public Media, Royal Bank of Canada and the New York State Council on the Arts. For more information, visit
FilmLinc.com.
ABOUT NYAFF
Subway Cinema is a New York-based film programming, exhibition, and marketing collective, committed to increasing exposure and appreciation for Asia`s popular cinema with year-round events and screenings. Its flagship event is the New York Asian Film Festival which the
New York Times has called "...one of the city`s most valuable events..." Launched in 2002, the NYAFF is America`s leading and most influential showcase for popular Asian cinema. Each year, the Festival selects over 40 feature films, and only the best, the strangest, and the most entertaining make the cut. The NYAFF was the first North American film festival to put a spotlight on Johnnie To, Bong Joon-Ho and Park Chan-Wook and it also held the largest retrospective of Tsui Hark`s work outside of Hong Kong. It is widely considered invincible. The NYAFF is made possible through the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York, the Korean Cultural Service New York, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, Japan Foundation and the Kitano Hotel.
ABOUT JAPAN SOCIETY
The Japan Society Film Program has offered a diverse selection of Japanese films, from classics to contemporary independent productions. The Program has included retrospectives of seminal directors, thematic series and special screenings of international, U.S. and NY premieres. Several original film series curated by Japan Society have traveled to other U.S. venues in tours organized by the Film Program. The Film Program has provided English subtitles for films which have never been screened outside of Japan. Accompanying lectures help place the films in their aesthetic and social contexts, and filmmakers often introduce and discuss their work. This year, Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema (July 7 - 22, 2011) becomes the world`s largest showcase of contemporary Japanese cinema with 32 films in its line-up.