Daily Archives: March 28, 2012

Big In Bollywood trailer

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Big In Bollywood trailer

The documentary “Big in Bollywood” follows 27-year-old American-born Omi Vaidya, a struggling actor in Los Angeles, who miraculously lands a dream role in the Bollywood film “3 Idiots”. In the month of January 2010, he went from virtual unknown to household name. Within a week of release, “3 Idiots” skyrockets to box office success, becoming the most successful Indian film in history and transforming Omi into an overnight megastar. He is now instantly recognized across India as the face of “Chatur Ramalingam”, his character from the movie. But being a national sensation in India is not all glitz and glamor.

Growing up in Palm Springs, Omi is by most accounts, very American. Aside from the language barrier, Omi struggles with the pressure of his newly acquired fame and continuing his career momentum while trying to maintain a healthy domestic life back in Los Angeles. His journey from Hollywood to Bollywood is a uniquely contemporary story. Set against the backdrop of Mumbai, Big in Bollywood is a film about what it is to be successful in show business, seen through the eyes of Omi’s best friends, who witness his career transformation firsthand. Never before have these two centers of world cinema been so aware of each other. Indian cinema is beginning to mirror western aesthetics, and Americans are finally becoming aware of Bollywood films.

This documentary came from a meeting of the minds between fellow filmmakers, and a realization that something amazing was about to happen in Mumbai. Omi was describing to the filmmakers how “3 Idiots” was turning out to be the biggest anticipated film of the year in India. And they all looked at each other and realized that they had to go to India and watch this all unfold. Curious to better understand the world of Bollywood, four of Omi’s buddies armed with cameras fly to Mumbai to document his big premiere.

This film is a distinctly 21st century documentary. Shot on five cameras, by five filmmakers in five different video formats, it stands squarely within the avant guarde of contemporary filmmaking. Simply put, this is a film made by and about a group of best friends, and the audience will feel like they’re along for the ride.

Big In Bollywood trailer

In the Family Trailer

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In the Family Trailer
Patrick Wang’s directorial debut with “In the Family” has been picking up awards and gaining accolades. Here’s more about the film:

In the town of Martin, Tennessee, Chip Hines, a precocious six year old, has only known life with his two dads, Cody and Joey. And a good life it is. When Cody dies suddenly in a car accident, Joey and Chip struggle to find their footing again. Just as they begin to, Cody’s will reveals that he named his sister as Chip’s guardian. The years of Joey’s acceptance into the family unravel as Chip is taken away from him. In his now solitary home life, Joey searches for a solution. The law is not on his side, but friends are. Armed with their comfort and inspired by memories of Cody, Joey finds a path to peace with the family and closer to his son.

The film is making its rounds on the film festival circuit. Look for it playing near you.

In the Family Trailer

In the Family Clip #1

In the Family Clip #2

2012 Asian American Showcase in Chicago

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2012 Asian American Showcase in Chicago
The Gene Siskel Film Center and the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM) present the 2012 Asian American Showcase, April 6 through 19, 2012 in Chicago. The festival encompasses comedies and dramas, probing documentaries, provocative shorts, and an array of special activities, all showcasing a wealth of talent on the Asian American scene. In addition, the art exhibition “100 Years,” featuring work by Chicago artists Wang Frank Yefeng, Cheng-Yung Kuo, and noted Chinese brush painter Qigu Jiang opens in the Gallery/Café on Friday, April 6, with a reception from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The exhibition is presented in conjunction with Chicago’s Chinatown Centennial Celebration.

Opening Night Film: Daylight Savings (aka Surrogate Valentine 2)
Closing Night Film: Yes We’re Open
Other Films of note: No Look Pass, Knots, Among B-Boys, I Am Ghost, Salad Days, In the Family, Jake Shimabukuro Documentary, Resident Aliens, and Restoring The Light

Get tickets here

Yes We’re Open Trailer

Mouthbreather trailer

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Mouthbreather trailer
MOUTHBREATHER is a short dark comedy about two lonely people who develop an offbeat romance through a prank call. Florance, a reclusive and eccentric pulp romance novel aficionado, leads a dull life alone with her cats, but her imagination is rich with fantasies of romance and love. Her apartment has become her own little cave, shielding her from the outside world with a barrier of cozy clutter, where porcelain cat figurines and portraits of Fabio fill every corner. She spends night after night losing herself in the world of Harlequin princesses and maidens who get romanced/ravaged by their knights in shining armor. This is the spice of her life. On an evening just like all her other evenings, Florance happens to make a wish at 11:11pm. A few seconds later, her daily monotony is interrupted by a phone call. At first she’s disgusted by the stranger’s lewd innuendos and sexual overtones, but soon Florance finds herself intrigued at the caller’s interest in her. Fueled by the smutty language of her romance novels, Florance begins to build an odd and unlikely telephone relationship with her stranger, revealing her desire for romance and hope for real human connection in her lonely world.

The film stars Emily C. Chang and Marc Valera. Look for the premiere soon.

Mouthbreather trailer

Keao : short film

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Keao : short film

The short film Keao follows a young woman’s journey of self-actualization through the use of ancient cultural practices. A young Hawaiian girl goes to work at a hotel lu’au show where she dances with a cast of other young Polynesian dancers. It appears to be a usual evening at work until she is interrupted by a new addition to her costume: a coconut bra. Here’s a message from filmmaker Kaliko Spenser:

I am constantly seeking new paths to that Ao, or light, where I can see my cultural foundation as a Hawaiian, clearly and profoundly. In search of what is pono or what is right and balanced in our lives, I begin to consider these questions: Where do we as Hawaiians draw the line between the profane and the sacred? How do we protect our culture from corruption in this modern world we live in? And what is it that will help us to reach that enlightenment of how to preserve our culture in the purest form? This story was born out of these questions and experiences I have had in my life. It is a story that I hope will inspire other Hawaiians as well as other native peoples to ask themselves these same questions.

The light comes from within.

Keao : short film

Keao : short film (high quality)