VBlog: Julia Kwan talks about EVE & THE FIREHORSE

VBlog: Highlights from the LVHIFF 2006 Awards Ceremony

Lisette Marie Flanary from NA KAMALEI: MEN OF HULA winning the Hawaii Filmmaker Award; Ukulele sensation TAIMANE rocking the house; LOST executive producer Jack Bender accepting the Hawaii Film Office's Film in Hawaii Award; Executive Director Chuck Boller and Founding Director Jeannette Paulson-Hereniko with their comments about Roger Ebert's loving connection to the festival; Halekulani Golden Orchid Juror and SXSW festival producer Matt Dentler announcing the winners of the Best Feature and Best Documentary.

VBlog: Producer Raymond Lee/Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

VBlog: Kal Penn!

A great clip of Kal Penn's masters class at UH Manoa's Academy for Creative Media. Daniel Dae Kim was in attendance!

VBlog: AMERICANese & Hawaii Panorama 5

VBlog: Interview w/ Leslie Truglio

Filmmaker Leslie Truglio sits down to share her experiences making her music documentary, MADE OF MUSIC: THE STORY OF JOHN CRUZ. Although the Honolulu portion of the fest is winding down, there are still screenings of MADE OF MUSIC in Kona next weekend!

VBlog: Justin Lin

Here's a great and informative talk with director Justin Lin that took place on campus at the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media. Just goes to show you how genuine and down-to-earth this dude is.

NETPAC Jury Report

The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award was given to director Royston Tan, the enfant terrible of Singaporean cinema, for his sophomore effort 4:30.

Founded in 1990 by Cinemaya (Asia's finest journal of cinema) and UNESCO, the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting Asian film throughout the world. The prestigious NETPAC Award, presented annually at international film festivals in Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Rotterdam, Pusan, Singapore, Taiwan, Yamagata, Amiens and Hawaii, promotes Asian cinema by spotlighting exceptional works and discovering new talent.

We've had to ship the film print to another film festival. In lieu of an encore presentation of 4:30, please read the comments of the NETPAC Jury President, Dr. Tom Brislin of the Academy of Creative Media, at the Festival Awards Ceremony.

"Your jurors screened 11 films in this competition, representing emerging filmmakers from Hong Kong, Korea, China, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.

"We noted many of these films are strongly based in music and dance, and we enjoy seeing the synergy that comes from such artistic blends. We also noted a strong undercurrent of young love, first love, and family love that demonstrated a love for the medium.

"Our love and admiration was strongest for 4:30 - an exquisite study of loneliness and alienation, and the seeking of human connections across the boundaries of age, language, culture and private angst. The jury was unanimous in its sentiment that the film lasted long after the screening went dark and the lights came up. The emotional weight of its story was carried out of the theatre by the viewers - the mark of a truly effective films.

"We are pleased to present the 2006 NETPAC Jury Award for Best Emerging Filmmaker in Asian Cinema to Royston Tan for 4:30."

Friday Films in the News: DELIVER US FROM EVIL and SUMMER PALACE

DELIVER US FROM EVIL

Director Amy Berg’s documentary about defrocked priest and pedophile Oliver O’Grady is one of the more controversial films in this year’s festival.

In the 1970s and 1980s, O’Grady was a parish priest in several towns in Central California where he molested dozens of children.  The film questions the institutional indifference of the Catholic Church, which continued to transfer O’Grady to other parishes even after allegations surfaced.  The film’s release has heightened interest among law enforcement officials in Los Angeles in considering a criminal case against Cardinal Roger M. Mahony.

Read the NY Times article “Film on Pedophile Priest Revives Focus on Cardinal”
and the Associated Press News article “Pedophile priest recounts years of abuse”.

The film’s distribution has been dealt a serious blow by the MPAA, which has disapproved the trailer for general audiences due to “overt comments about child molestation throughout.” Lionsgate has no real choice but to release the film unrated which often translates to distribution to art house screens only limiting audience appeal. 

Read the Philadelphia Inquirer article “'Deliver Us From Evil' given a risky rating”
and what Berg herself has to say about the MPAA’s decision. Link.

In light of the Rep. Mark Foley scandal, the film’s release is a timely and sobering look at the chilling similarities between the behavior of the Catholic Church and what we are seeing right now with the leadership of the U.S. Congress. Link.

Amy Berg was recently interviewed by Golden Orchid Juror Elvis Mitchell on The Treatment. Listen to it here.

For more information...
Official website
NY Times review

SUMMER PALACE

Director Lou Ye has been banned from making movies in China for five years after screening this epic love story at Cannes without government permission.  SUMMER PALACE, which is set around the time of 1989's pro-democracy protests, has not been approved by Chinese censors.  Lou criticizes his country’s censorship laws and says, “I think participating in film festivals is an artist's basic right, like taking part in an art exhibition or a book exhibition.”

LVHIFF joins the Chicago, Toronto, and Pusan festivals in screening SUMMER PALACE and defying Lou’s film ban.

BBC News articles
“Director scorns 'laughable' laws”
“Director vows to defy filming ban”
“Chinese director 'given film ban'”

International Herald Tribune article
“Banned Chinese director mixes principled, practical approaches to censorship”

VBlog: Governor's Reception

Check out the festivities at this year's Governor's Reception at Washington Place.

DIRTY CARNIVAL Wednesday Night

Get ready for DIRTY CARNIVAL, hailed by Variety’s Derek Elley as “the best Korean gangster movie since FRIEND, it elevates the genre to an epic narrative level as it follows the rise and emotional decline of a smalltime hoodlum.”

With his fourth feature, director Yoo Ha (ONCE UPON A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL) has crafted a masterwork which is being compared to Michael Mann’s HEAT.

Byung-doo (Zo In-sung) is a thug in a large Seoul triad, privately burdened by his family's financial problems, who finds favor with the triad boss after an explosive showdown with a rival gang. Byung-doo meets an old school friend and aspiring filmmaker, Min-ho, who's writing a gangster script and asks for Byung-doo's help. Unwisely, Byung-doo trusts Min-ho; also, thanks to Min-ho, he meets an old flame, the beautiful Hyeon-ju (Lee Bo-young).

A huge hit in Korea despite its release being up against not only X-Men 3 but the World Cup, DIRTY CARNIVAL attracted over 2 million viewers its first month in theaters.

Zo In-sung sheds his pretty boy image with this gritty starring role. K-drama fans may know that his nickname is “Prince of Arabia” but I bet you don’t know his blood type. Find out if he’s transfusion-worthy!

Watch the trailer for a sneak peek, but streaming video doesn’t do this film justice. It’s a must-see on the big screen for its smooth editing, widescreen lensing, slightly saturated colors and the shocking, unexpected ending.

Norwegian Director Comes to the Festival!!

Norwegian director Jens Lien will arrive in Honolulu tomorrow with his film, THE BOTHERSOME MAN. It's his second feature and premiered in Cannes this year, where it won the ACID Prize. Kari Bjerkan, Festival Publicity Intern, spoke with Director Jens Lien in London....

Why did you get into making movies?

I grew up watching B-movies at the local cinema, and my father was a devoted Super 8MM photographer. I also played around with animation films when I was a kid. But when I saw Jim Jarmusch STRANGER THAN PARADISE I knew I had to make films.

Do you have any favorite films and film directors?

I like Kubrick, Jarmusch, Wong Kar-wai, John Cassavetes (and David) Lynch. My favorite films still have to be THE GODFATHER and maybe ERASERHEAD.

What other interests do you have besides films?

Music! I play and collect instruments.

Can you tell us a little more about The Bothersome Man?

The project was started in 2002, and took 4 years in total from start to finish. Some of the biggest challenges for me, was being able to communicate the style and aesthetics I wanted to come across to the audience. We've been to different festivals, and the movie has also been running in the cinemas in Norway. Audiences have given us very different kinds of response, but mostly good actually, and many people wonder if this is what it's like in Norway. And after Honolulu, I'm going to take the film to AFI Film Fest in LA.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on getting a new project started, with the same screenwriter I worked with on THE BOTHERSOME MAN, Per Schreiner.

What are some of the unique challenges of making film in Norway?

Film is going really well in Norway, we make a lot of films and the audience wants to see Norwegian movies...and I hope the people with the money will be willing to also back more strange and risky productions.

Are there any similarities between THE BOTHERSOME MAN and your earlier shorts?

Yes, I feel we're developing our own style, a characteristic look, a kind of cleaned realism that plays with awkward and embarrassing humour. And also with a history that has an existential theme underlying.

Was it hard taking the leap from shorts to feature filmmaking?

No, I was very ready to make features, and felt I had a lot to give.

In Norway there is a lot of talk and discussions on how many first time directors are struggling to finance and start their second film, did you experience anything like it?

No, not for THE BOTHERSOME MAN. I think it all depends on your project. But you need to give directors more resources in order for them to have the strength and ability to make more films. I guess I feel the director is not as important and prioritized as he or she should be.

Jens Lien will introduce THE BOTHERSOME MAN, Friday, October 27 9:30PM, and we will have a short Q&A after the movie!

More about the film.
Tickets.

 

VBlog: Meet the Filmmakers Party

VBlog: "My O Face!"

Another entry from Seong Whang, checking out the Dan the Automator show at The O Lounge, and showcasing evidence that local actor Dezmond Gilla is one, cheap date.

VBlog: P.O.V. of a HIFFer

Local filmmaker Seong Whang's funny journey to see a HIFF film program. Laughs! Intrigue! Ballroom dancing! It's on like Donkey Kong!

VBlog: More LOST!

VBlog: Lost Seminar

VBlog: Ha Jiwon's Arrival/Opening Press Conf.

"HA Jiwon! Over here!!"
Also, some snippets from the Opening Day Press Conference and comments from the aforementioned hallyu starlet and MARRYING THE MAFIA 3 star SHIN Hyunjun about the current state of the Korean boom and the growing trend for Pan-Asian entertainment. Halekulani Golden Orchid Juror and film critic Elvis Mitchell talks about the circular flow of ideas between Asian and western cinema.

VBlog: The Inheritance and Day 2!

Behind-the-scenes with Romeo Candido and the lovely and talented Phoemela Baranda from ANG PAMANA: THE INHERITANCE at the Festival Hospitality Suite at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel! The film has its international preem at the festival tomorrow!

Don't miss THE BANQUET tonight!

Lust! Deceit! Murder! Revenge!

You'll find it all in THE BANQUET, China's probable entry for the Academy Award's Best Foreign Language Film.

Director Feng Xiaogang (A WORLD WITHOUT THIEVES), previously known for ironic comedy hits, shows audiences a different side of himself in this lavish martial arts film. His production team includes CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON action director Yuen Wo-ping, composer Tan Dun and Academy Award-winning art and costume director Tim Yip.

Twitch Film calls THE BANQUET "a violent movie. Nothing is sugar coated because the action needs to compliment this dark tale of revenge and deception perfectly. Blood flows like rivers in The Banquet and it is only fitting for this dark tale. Excellent, excellent swordplay."

Read more reviews from Variety's Derek Elley and Hollywood Reporter's Kirk Honeycutt.

Star Zhang Ziyi thrills as the scheming Empress but had her share of controversial moments on set. Not only did she have to dispel rumors of a rivalry with co-star Zhou Xun, but she also had to contend with a litigious body double! At least she looked as stunning as always on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival.

Hong Kong heartthrob Daniel Wu, who plays the Crown Prince, found he had much in common with castmate Zhou Xun -- not only are they the same astrological sign, but they have a lot of the same music on their iPods. Wu is active behind the lens as well, having directed a mockumentary about a Chinese boy band.

To see some gorgeous images of Zhang, Wu and Zhou on set, check out the photo gallery at Hello Ziyi.

Deep Focus Seminars at the Festival

The Deep Focus Series provides an expanded question and answer session immediately following select film screenings. Members of the audience can interact and learn about the films, and their creators, and the state of filmmaking throughout Asia, through an (entertaining) forum moderated by film specialists and area experts.

The Deep Focus Series and filmmakers' travel to the United States have been generously sponsored by the University of Hawaii's Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

Ang Pamana: The Inheritance
October 22, 10:30PM
Meet Romeo Candido and Phoemela Baranda from the Philippines

Bet Collector
October 26, 3:30 PM
Meet Gina Pareno and Roger Rayala from the Philippines

Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros
October 26, 4:15 PM
Meet Raymond Lee from the Philippines

Gubra
October 23, 3:00 PM
Meet Elyna Shukri and Sarifah Amani from Malaysia

Jackfruit Thorn Kiss
October 23, 5:00 PM
Meet Nguyen Tuan and Nguyen Quang Thai from Vietnam

Love for Share
October 25, 5:00 PM
Meet Nia Dinata and Jajang Noer from Indonesia

Metrosexual
October 24, 3:15 PM
Meet Yonghoot Thongkongtoon from Thailand

Summer Heat
October 29, 3:15 PM
Meet Julilana Palermo from the Philippines

Latest Schedule Changes

Added Screenings
Americanese October 28, 1:15 PM, DOL
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Oct 29, 3:45 PM, DOL

Added Screenings for October 29
3:00 PM Midnight Sun tickets
4:00 PM Passerine Bird and Sharkwater (Special Jury Mention, Halekulani Golden Orchid) tickets
4:30 PM King and the Clown tickets
6:00 PM Love for Share (Halekulani Golden Orchid for Best Feature) tickets
6:15 PM Na Kamalei: Men of Hula, Majidee and Sunday Wind (Best Hawaii Film, Honolulu Magazine Best Short Film and cause and f(x) Dream Digital honorees) tickets
7:15 PM The Host (DHL Audience Award for Best Feature) tickets
7:30 PM Samoan Wedding tickets
7:45 PM China Blue and Time and Tide (Halekulani Golden Orchid for Best Documentary) tickets

Rush Line Screenings

October 28
Student Showcase, 10:00 AM, DOL
Journey from the Fall, 12:00 PM, DOL
Samoan Wedding, 12:15 PM, DOL
King and the Clown, 1:30 PM, DOL
Cheerful Gang Rules the Earth, 3:00 PM, DOL
Family Ties, 6:00 PM, DOL
Eleven Men Out, 6:30 PM, DOL
Banquet, 7:30 PM, DOL
Isabella, 9:00 PM, DOL

Cancelled Screenings
The Achievers
Circumcision will be replaced by Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros, the director's first feature.

VBlog: Opening Night & HA Jiwon

Local filmmaker Aaron Yamasato has posted LVHIFF 2006's first vblog! Check out scenes from the duo Opening Galas last night of the global thriller BABEL and Korean actioner DUELIST! Korean actress HA Jiwon was in attendance to introduce her film, reprising her role made famous on the Kdrama series DAMO. Many hallyu fans were in attendance, with their digital cameras, leis, gifts and autograph pens, roaring and ready to go!

CRIME NOVEL Friday Night

Don’t miss the Hawaii premiere of CRIME NOVEL, a film that Adriano Ercolani of Offscreen calls, “one of the best Italian films of these years.”

Based on the best-selling novel Romanzo Criminale by Giancarlo De Cataldo, a Roman crime writer and real-life judge, this sprawling epic tells the story of a gang of young hoodlums determined to take over the criminal underworld of Rome.

CRIME NOVEL is set against the backdrop of Cold-War terrorism in Italy, with the assassination of Aldo Moro, and the bombing of the Bologna train station. It marks the first time that an Italian film has delved into the true history of the notorious Banda della Magliana (Magliana Gang) that terrorized Rome in the 1970s-1990s. Director Michele Placido tells Cineuropa that he hopes “Crime Novel re-opens a classic trend of Italian cinema. Our history is beset with closets full of skeletons asking to come out and be recounted.”

Cast member Pierfrancesco Favino who plays Lebanese, the gang's driving force and easily the best thing in the film, was named the year's best supporting actor at the Italian Oscars. He discusses the film and its historical and culture contexts: “We wanted to do something different -- we wanted to do something that could be rooted in our culture. It would be suicide to try to imitate Bob De Niro or Al Pacino.” Link (beware of spoilers!)

Co-star Riccardo Scamarcio, called “one of the Italian women’s most desired actors,” gives his opinion on American and European film: “At the moment, the only really interesting cinema, in my opinion, is now arriving from the Far East.”

Actor Kim Rossi Stuart also directs Across the Ridge (Anche Libero va Bene), domestic drama about growing pains, a family in flux and leaving home.

CRIME NOVEL is making the rounds at festivals in Seattle, London, and Tribeca, but still lacks a U.S. distributor. So mark your calendars for the LVHIFF screening--it may be the only time this great film makes it to Hawaii!

Opening Night!

It's Opening Night and we have two films for your viewing pleasure!

Korean star Ha Ji-won will be presenting the newly-added screening of THE DUELIST in person. Don't miss this one night opportunity starting at 8:45 PM at the Dole Cannery.

Fresh from acclaimed receptions at the Toronto Film Festival and Cannes, where it won awards for Best Director and the Ecumenical Jury Prize, respectively, LVHIFF is excited to present the Hawaii premier of BABEL!

Reviewers are hailing the film as "visually dazzling and effectively heartbreaking" (Premiere), "an emotionally shattering drama" (Hollywood Reporter), with a cast that "delivers unshowy, naturalistic performances" (Variety).

Director Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu tells Emmanuel Levy that for him, "the story is about how vulnerable and fragile we are as human beings, and when a link is broken, it's not the link that is rotten but the chain itself."

Star Brad Pitt was humbled by the non-actors in the cast and considers himself, "more a citizen of the world, and I have great pride as I sit up here with all the people from different cultures." Cast member Cate Blanchett says, "This film is all about connections between parents and children, which I think so many of us understand. It felt very personal for me." And Gael Garcia Bernal jokes about shooting on location in Mexico that, "I think Tijuana is the closest I've ever got to Hollywood." Meanwhile, Innaritu was blown away by newcomer Rinko Kikuchi's performance, "I couldn't take her off my mind. I was stunned by how she embodied the character, physically and spiritually."

DUELIST and KANK Added!

We've added two more films for this year's Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival! Tickets on sale now!
DUELIST: Korean director Lee Myung-Se (NOWHERE TO HIDE) returns to filmmaking after 6 years with a whirlwind of movement, a ballet of bloodshed and a candy-colored carnival of clashing characters but it is most definitely not an action film: it's a romance. Set in the Joseon Dynasty, it's the story of a female cop and the assassin she pursues through chaotic marketplaces, winter snowstorms, and elaborate birthday parties, but when they cross swords you can't tell if they're fighting or dancing. Starring HA Jiwon, reprising her role made famous in DAMO. For all you K-Drama fans, she will be attending the festival and presenting the film in-person!
Thursday, October 19, 8:45pm, Regal Dole Stadium 18 Buy Now!
KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA: We are honored to screen the latest Bollywood extravaganza, KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA or KANK for short! The film centers on the budding romance between Dev (Shahrukh Khan)and Maya (Rani Mukherjee), who are both married to different people. Settled into a life of domestic ritual, and convinced that they are happy in their respective relationships, the protagonists still yearn for something deeper and more meaningful, which is precisely what they find in each other. From a relationship starting off in pleasant barbs, the two begin to develop and acknowledge the feelings they have beneath the surface. When their feelings come to the forefront, what results is a collision of lives and emotions, affecting everyone involved and changing them forever. Sunday, October 29, 3:45pm, Regal Dole Stadium 18 Buy Now!

It's All Good Here, Thanks for Asking!

My e-mail and cell phone blew up with tons of inquiries since yesterday's 6.6 earthquake that shook the Hawaiian Isles. In the aftermath, no major structual damage and luckily, no casualties. Shopping at Safeway for supplies and food was interesting... They would let in groups of people at a time and it was kind of nifty shopping in the dark (power was out for most of the day). No power, no football, what are you gonna do? In true Hawaii-style, "We eat!" Lots of tailgating, with people breaking out their hibachis and grills. A party I was at yesterday had some awesome BBQ chicken, shrimp skewers, lots of alcohol, including starfruit vodka, and later in the evening, some dudes carried in a huge marlin they had caught earlier in the day. We partied as we saw the street lights come back on. So, we're all good here, this fine Monday morning, and everything's back to normal. It was a nice respite, but we've got a festival to run! Box-office operations are back and we're back, up and running!

Terminal 69

I met up with a bunch of ACM students to Shanghai this past summer and it was a blast. The guys, I guess, on their 6 hour layover at KIX had the hair-brained idea to make a short film. Thus, Terminal 69 was born. Two of the guys in the short, Seong Whang and Jeremiah Tayao, are old chums since "small kid time" (cue Stand By Me), and aside from being video bloggers this year, also have another irreverent and crazy short in the fest called Freak Me Out, Part One. It's part of newly reincarnated Son of Lo-Fi Shorts Program. While you're at it, also check out the ACM shorts this year.

Korean Soul Funk?

You better believe it! WINDY CITY, one of the pioneering bands leading the trend of soul funk and roots music in Korea, is highlighted in this year's Festival Video Ipod, formerly known as the World Music Video Showcase. Here's a sneak peek of their music video, Love Supreme! Being a kid raised on MTV, I think music videos are one of the most important mediums around. If I had my druthers, I'd curate a classics program, similar to VH1's I Love the (Fill in the Blank). One of the greatest videos of all time? New Edition's "Cool It Now", without question, a work of pure, unadulterated genius! Ah, brings back memories of me in my best Cavariccis, hanging out at the local roller rink. Good times!

Video Blogs!

We'll be having special video blogs posted here during the festival! Roving bloggers will be interviewing some of our favorite filmmakers, attendees and audience members. In the meantime, if you are a subscriber of Oceanic Time Warner Digital Cable, you view clips and trailers on NGN on Demand Channel 680!

The Host

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Add this to your blog or myspace

So, it's pretty much public knowledge how much I love THE HOST. Everyone in their right mind should go see this film. It brings back the thrill and wonderment of going to the movies. Don't believe me? Check out the amazing trailer and see for yourself. BTW, the film finally finished its theatrical run in South Korea, where it racked up a record breaking 13,000,000 in attendance. Not too shabby. Oh, and the film also stars my favorite beanpole actress on the planet, BAE Doona! She stole the show in LINDA LINDA LINDA and TAKE CARE OF MY CAT. She also has a kickass blog and check out her photography online. Now, I don't speak hangul, but it sure looks nifty!

Festival Schedule...in Convenient iPod Format!

Download the entire festival schedule directly to your iPod! You can search the festival by film title or by day. We've also posted iPod audio trailers for movies ranging from AMERICANese to YAMATO.

Promote the Festival! Promote Your Favorite Film!

Each film synopsis page has a little bit of code you can copy and paste into your blog or MySpace profile. The code will load a cool image from your favorite film onto your webpage. Click here to get started!

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