‘No Other Choice,’ ‘Voice of Hind Rajab’ Top Asian World Film Fest
Asian World Film Festival returns Nov. 11-20 with a showcase of films from more than 30 Asian countries, including 20 films selected for the international Oscar race. The competition lineup comprises 15 films vying for Snow Leopard trophies for best film, actor, actress, the Jury Discretionary Award, Special Jury Prize and Audience Award.
The festival opens with Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” and closes with “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. Other festival hits in the AWFF include Cannes Palme d’Or winner “It Was Just an Accident,” directed by Jafar Panahi; “A Useful Ghost,” directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke; “Left-Handed Girl,” from by Shih-Ching Tsou; “Palestine 36” from Annemarie Jacir; “All That’s Left of You,” directed by Cherien Dabis; and “The Things You Kill,” from Alireza Khatami.
The AWFF lineup also includes six world premieres: Oscar submission “A Sad and Beautiful World,” directed by Cyril Aris; “Love and Karma,” directed by Ilara Venzara and Giovannie Espiritu; “Doggy,” from Slava Ross; “Sisterhood,” helmed by Yoon Eun-kyoung; “Chronicles of the Forgotten Genocide — The Kissinger Doctrine,” directed by Ramesh Sharma; and “The Favor,” from Shin Joo.
U.S. premieres are “Dragon Blade” (2015, celebrating its 10 anniversary), directed by Daniel Lee and starring Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody and Cyril Cusack; “Marching Boys,” directed by Jui-Chih Chiang; “The Summer Will End” from helmers Maksim Arbugaev and Vladimir Munkuev; and “Family Secrets,” directed by Lee Sang-hoon. “Sore: Wife from the Future,” directed by Yandy Laurens, is a North American premiere.
“From the beginning, our mission has been to celebrate the remarkable diversity of Asian filmmaking,” said Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF executive director, kin a statement. “Over the last 11 years, we have championed movies from more than 50 Asian nations and half a dozen autonomous Asian regions, each contributing a unique perspective and artistry. Their stories have thrilled us, moved us, inspired us, and provided a glimpse into the vibrant soul of Asia.”
The festival unspools at the Culver Theatre in Culver City. See asianworldfilmfest.org for more titles and ticket info.
