The Asian Film Festival of Dallas celebrates its 13th year with returning presenting sponsor Well Go USA Entertainment, from Thursday, July 10 through Thursday, July 17, 2014.
The festival year boasts more diversity in its Asian films, makes history with the most film screenings and feature films and adds a unique art exhibition. AFFD organizers are excited about bringing more Asian films and programming that truly has something for everyone.
AFFD in numbers
39 film screenings total. 9 countries represented.
1 World premiere. 6 North American premieres. 2 International premieres. 2 U.S. premieres
12 confirmed filmmakers in attendance.
AFFD organizers are thrilled to announce the first six of many diverse Asian and Asian-American films on the schedule:
SAMURAI HUSTLE
Japan / 119 mins
Comedy
Masaatsu NAITO is the head of the small and poor clan in Northern Japan. He is ordered by the Shogun to come to Edo (capital city) in just five days with his people. The cost for the journey is incredibly high and usually takes eight to twelve days. Naito has no money, and it’s impossible to get there in only five days. However, the shogun’s order is a must or his land will be taken away. Will he and his men be able to achieve this impossible task?
BLACK BUTLER
Japan / 2014 / 119 mins
Director Kentaro Otani
Live Action Anime
United States Premiere
Based upon the manga written and illustrated by Yana Toboso, this live action movie stays closely to the dark tone of the story but is set in the future 130 years after the events in the manga. Shiori, (Ayame Goriki) an orphaned aristocrat summons a demonic butler Sebastian (Hiro Mizushima) to aid her, at the price of her soul. Possessing a wealth of knowledge, unbelievable skills, perfect looks and grace, he is a butler without flaws. He is also a demon from the depths of hell who will not hesitate to take lives with the skilled manipulation of dinner cutlery.
THE KING’S WRATH
Korea / 2014 / 135 mins
Director Lee Jae-Gyu
Drama/Action
In 1777, one year since he had taken reign, King Jeong-jo bears a perilous palace life with his dedicated court servant, Gap-soo, amidst opposition and threats from those around with political ambitions. Meanwhile, Eul-soo, a member of a secret assassin group, receives orders to kill Jeong-jo. Gap-soo, who had also been in the same secret assassin ring as Eul-soo, later confesses to Jeong-jo about his dark past and his motive for coming into the palace. To Gap-soo's surprise, Jeong-jo asks Gap-soo when he had given up being an assassin, then orders him to just leave the palace. However, Gap-soo finds out that there is another assassin besides him and frantically returns to the court, only to discover Eul-soo in combat with Jeong-jo.
FUNNY MONEY
Vietnam / 2013 / 96 mins
Director Thien Do in attendance
Comedy
The stars of SAIGON ELECTRIC Vân Trang and Khuong Ngoc return to AFFD in this hilarious comedy. Director Thien Do's newest film is a social satire set in modern-day Vietnam. Saigon businessman Lucky Loc makes high-end fake "ghost money” that is meant for dearly departed relatives to use in the afterlife. His good fortune comes to a sudden halt when he pays with “funny money” to an unsuspecting saleswoman, Quyen. Believing it to be his lucky charm, he’s convinced that giving away the bill caused his misfortune. At the same time, Quyen’s Quyen’s fortune plummets and she blames the cursed “funny money” for it. When Lucky tries to retrieve the bill and Quyen holds it for ransom, Lucky must do his best to survive in this increasingly materialistic world.
BUSHIDO
Japan / 2013 / 102 min
Director Yasuo Mikami
Action Drama
A period film depicting the culture of bushidou with heart-racing action and realistic swordfights! "Bushido" (original Japanese title : Shundou) is an authentic period film brimming with tension and bloody samurai swordfight scenes. Regarded as representing the pinnacle of Japanese independent films, this work was written and directed by Yasuo Mikami.
MAN FROM RENO
USA / 2014 / 111 min
Director Dave Boyle in attendance
Action Drama
In a small town south of San Francisco, Sheriff Paul Del Moral (Pepe Serna) is driving home through the fog one night when he accidentally strikes a pedestrian, a lone Japanese man. However, before an investigation can take place the man disappears from the hospital without a trace. At the same time, Japanese mystery author Aki Akahori (Ayako Fujitani) takes a trip to San Francisco in order to escape the press tour for her latest book–a potboiler in her world-famous "Inspector Takabe" series. Feeling lonely and vulnerable, she begins a romantic affair with a mysterious Japanese traveler from Reno who is staying in the same hotel. Her new lover, Akira Suzuki (Kazuki Kitamura), is charismatic and charming but abruptly disappears from the hotel, leaving behind his suitcase and a trail of questions…
Parties and events
VIP Reception: Invitation-only
Opening Night Party: Thursday, July 10, 8 pm to 11 pm at The Dram
Filmmakers Reception: Sunday, July 13, 5 pm to 6:30 pm at Cafe Express
AFFD Reception: Wednesday, July 16, 5:30 pm to 7 pm at People’s Last Stand
Closing Night Party: Thursday, July 17, 9 pm to 12 am at The Dram
More titles and full schedule of Q&As, parties, events and details will follow in the coming weeks. Visit www.asianfilmdallas.com
