In just five short years, the Asian-American Showcase–which highlights the work of Asian-American film and videomakers, with special emphasis on young and/or emerging talent–has blossomed into one of the most eagerly anticipated film festivals of the year. This is due not only to the quality of the work being shown — a nice mix of comedy, drama, documentaries and shorts — but also because this festival prides itself on bringing in many of the writers, directors and producers to talk about their films in post-screening discussions. This year, all of the invitees will come together on Sunday at 4 p.m. for a panel discussion on the state of independent filmmaking in the U.S., especially as it concerns Asian-American artists.
In addition to the movies, the Showcase, which is co-sponsored by the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media, is presenting concerts and literary readings during the week-long run of the festival. For more information on these events, go to www.faaim.org.
The 5th Annual Asian American Showcase runs Saturday through April 8, at the Film Center of the Art Institute, Columbus Drive at Jackson Boulevard. Tickets are $7 or $3 for Film Center members. For more information, call 312-443-3733, the recording at 312-443-3737, or www.artic.edu/saic/art/filmcntr/.
Below are short reviews of festival films that were available for preview.
“When You’re Smiling” (director: Janice Tanaka). This documentary by School of the Art Institute alum Janice Tanaka starts out slowly, but once it gathers steam, it handles its topic with great dexterity. Her focus is on the third generation of Japanese immigrants, a.k.a. “sansei,” with particular attention paid to those Baby Boomers who were children of World War II internees. Tanaka uses her own family as a model, but she also lays out many of the problems that wounded this generation — from the expectation that they were part of a “model minority,” to coping with the conformist climate of the 1950s, to deteriorating race relations with blacks during the 1960s and the difficulty of fighting other Asians during the war in Vietnam. The film follows the situation all the way into the 1970s, where the inability to cope led some to drug use, overdoses and suicide attempts. (Saturday, 1 p.m.) (3 stars)
“First Person Plural” (director: Deann Borshay Liem). On the surface, this smart documentary may look like the latest in a long line of films about adoptees searching for their birthparents in hopes of solidifying their own identities. But in the capable hands of filmmaker Deann Borshay Liem, who has bravely decided to tell her own story, it becomes a testimony to love and sacrifice. As a young girl in post-war Korea, Borshay Liem found herself in an orphanage, and at the age of 8, was adopted by a family from Southern California. There she grew into a typical American teen, until a series of disturbing dreams led her to believe that there was something not quite right about the circumstances of her departure from her homeland.
Thanks to her curiosity and drive — and the love and support of her American family — she returns to Korea to discover the truth. This moving tale works on many levels, as it uncovers just a few of the many complexities of cross-cultural adoption. (Sunday, 6 p.m.) (3 stars)
“Bugaboo” (director: Sujit Saraf). Despite its rather rough production values, this first feature about the emotional woes of Indian computer geeks working in Silicon Valley has many moments that are laugh-out-loud funny, especially when the three lead characters gather around their terminals to discuss their problems. One has a new young wife from India who nevers seems to be “in the mood.” Another has a white girlfriend he must hide from his visiting mother. But it is Bapu (played by director Saraf) who is the most confused and upset, as he seeks to bring a few “random disturbances” into his life, even if that means going to a local guru for cut-rate advice. (Note: producer Srikar Srinath will be present afterwards to discuss the film.) (Sunday, 8 p.m.) (3 stars)
“Silence Broken” (director: Dal Sil Kim-Gibson). It took years for the shameful secret of the Korean “comfort women” to come to light, but this informative documentary by Korean American filmmaker Dal Sil Kim-Gibson does a solid job of explaining how and why so many young Korean females (in addition to women from China and Manchuria), were rounded up and “given” to Japanese soldiers for sexual purposes during World War II. Cutting between interviews with victims and soldiers, students and academicians, Kim-Gibson reveals that half a century later, people still disagree about what really happened and why. In fact, the testimony of the survivors is so passionate, the assorted re-creations almost feel superfluous. (Friday, 8 p.m.) (3 stars)
