The Asian Queer Film Festival once again brings its unique range of independent cinema to Tokyo in September 2009

Opening film Manay Po! (Philippines/2006), directed by Joel C. Lamangan - comedy following the struggles of a mother and her 3 queer sons

Closing film The World Unseen (South Africa & UK/2007), directed by Shamim Sarif - beautifully shot drama about a passionate love affair between a subservient wife and independent working woman under repressive social conditions

Welcome to the 2nd Asian Queer Film Festival (AQFF), taking place at KINEATTIC cinema (Harajuku, Tokyo) between 19-23 September, 2009!

The festival, which debuted in 2007 in both Tokyo and Fukuoka, is back with a widespread selection of independent movies from Asian countries and beyond, including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Canada and of course Japan.  What makes this festival particularly groundbreaking is that it brings to Japan a range of films which could normally not be seen by a mainstream audience.  In fact, many of the films at this year’s festival will be screened in Japan for the first time.  By tapping into this still relatively unchartered world of talent and innovation which is Asian queer film, the festival is expected to go from strength to strength over the coming years.

Hosted again by passionate female filmmakers iri and Nagi, with the support of an international network of film enthusiasts, this year’s festival is not to be missed by queer culture fans or cineastes alike.  The festival will also host its opening party on Friday 18 at Rehab bar in Nichome gay area (Shinjuku, Tokyo), providing the opportunity for you to meet and greet the people who make this event happen. 

See you there!!

Opening and Closing Films:

Oscar is a successful gay architect and in a loving relationship with a woman, but has a secret crush on his best friend Adrian…  He also lives happily together with his mother, who has less luck in love, and two younger brothers: Orson is out and proud while Orwell is just starting to explore the world of sex.  Made by Joel C. Lamangan, the acclaimed Philippine director of eccentric gay musical ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (shown at the Tokyo International Cinecity festival in 2007) and wartime romance Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita (18th Tokyo International Film Festival), Manay Po! is a comic story about the bonds of love and family and the tears they can sometimes bring. 

Set among Indian society in 1950s South Africa, this is a story of the love between a subservient wife and mother of three children and an independent woman who runs a café that provides a haven of rest and relaxation in the midst of a society rife with racial and sexual discrimination.  In the process, this dramatic gem paints a portrait of the freedom of the heart found even under such repressive conditions.  This powerful and moving work, which speaks of such important issues, has received critical praise and awards at film festivals worldwide.  The film is based on The World Unseen, the novel written by the director, who also did the film adaptation. Shiraf’s debut novel won both the Betty Trask Award for young writers under 35 and the Pendleton May First Novel Prize in 2001.

→ Look out for an exclusive interview with TWU director Shamim Sarif, coming soon on SJ website…

→ Look out for an exclusive interview with TWU singer-songwriter Leonie Casanova, coming soon on SJ website… 

→ Photographs of the director and producer of TWU taken by SJ Chief Editor Olivia Mayumi Moss were exhibited at CoCoLo Cafe (Shinjuku, Tokyo) as part of the Q word: photojournalism meets international queer culture exhibition held for one month in Aug-Sept 2009.  Read this article on SJ website now!

Other Features:

Artemisia

Ai-ciao, nearly 58 years old, has raised her children on her own after losing her husband.  With a son uninterested in marriage, a daughter who shows up with a child born out of wedlock after studying in France, and a greedy mother, her family troubles seem to be neverending…

This AQFF selection puts the spotlight on Taiwan public television service PTS, whose innovative drama series Crystal Boys deals with gay issues.  PTS has also televised numerous additional programs that include sexual minority characters, such as the quality TV movie series Life Story, from which the AQFF is screening Artemisia.  This programme, which tells the touching story of a mother who faces the problem of clashing values, features a strong message of love and tolerance.  The role of the gay son is performed by Mo Tze-yi of The Most Distant Course and Do Over, and his boyfriend is played by Tang Cheng-gang from Go! Go! G-Boys (screened at AQFF 2007). 

Innocent

Brought to Canada from Hong Kong by his mother and father, reluctant immigrant Eric has some important decisions to make about life, love, family and friends. With his home life in turmoil after his parents seek the counsel of Chinese business adviser Chia about opening a restaurant, the 17 year old begins to explore his sexuality and falls for a succession of men, including his classmate Jim.

Released in 2005 by perceptive observer of the small episodes that make up people’s daily lives, Simon Chung, and winner of the best independent film award at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Innocent finally makes its Japanese debut. 

Seeds of Summer

“My Mom always says that my military service is to blame for everything that has happened to her little girl.”

Seven years after completing an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) course for female combat soldiers, the director returns to the place where, for the first time, she fell in love with a woman –– her commanding officer.

Over the course of 66 days and nights, the film follows the girls in one of the IDF’s most rigorous combat courses and looks at the relationships that develop between girls in an environment subject to strict military code.  The film reveals the mechanism that enables the transformation of 18-year-old girls from daddy’s little girls into fierce disciplined soldiers.  Through the intimate relationship that develops between the director and one of the characters, questions about identity, sexuality and the discovery of femininity surface.

SIKIL

Adong and Enzo have enjoyed a deep and lasting friendship, forged while growing up together in a small town south of Manila.  When Adong elopes with his girlfriend Melay to the big city, it seems Enzo will never see his best friend again.  Five years later however, the two meet by chance when they both start working in Manila’s sex trade and are asked to perform together on stage in a live sex show.

Filmed by Ronaldo Barbutin, the director of Kurap (shown at the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival), Sikil is one of the many remarkable gay-themed movies to have come out of the Philippines recently.  This well-acted drama of two friends, the strong and masculine Adong and the more sensitive Enzo, expertly describes the bonds and boundaries of friendship and love.

New and Powerful Gay Directors Programme:

Tanjong Rhu
Laundromat
The Police Box
The Postcard
Auld Lang Syne

(2009/Singapore/Boo Junfeng)
(2007/USA/Edward Gunawan) *JP*
(2006/Hong Kong/Josh Kim) *JP*
(2006/South Korea/Josh Kim) *JP*
(2007/South Korea/SO Joon-moon) *JP*

South Korea Programme:

A Passing Rain
Boy Meets Boy
The Bath
Happy Birthday

(2006/South Korea/KIM Myoung-hwa) *JP*
(2008/South Korea/KIM-JHO Gwang-soo) *JP*
(2007/South Korea/LEE Mi-rang) *JP*
(2007/South Korea/KIM Sung-ho) *JP*

Girls Programme:

It’s Over
Sweet Rain
Marry Me?
I’m Jin-young

(2006/South Korea/LEE Jung-a) *JP*
(2009/Japan/Keita Sakai) *JP*
(2006/South Korea/Rohwun) *JP*
(2006/South Korea/LEE Sung-eun) *JP*

Boys Programme

The Longest One Night Stand
Lost & Found
Love Audition

Documentary Programme

The Secret in the Satchel
Jonathan
Moken, right?

(2007/Taiwan/LIN Tay-jou) *JP*
(2006/Israel/Adi Helman) *JP*
(2006/Thailand/Mr. Taryart Datsathean & Phisan Sangjan) *JP*

CG & Animation Programme

CROC
Boyfriend

(2008/Thailand/Saravuth Intaraprom) *JP*
(2007/Thailand/Saravuth Intaraprom) *JP*

Experimental Programme

3-77
Middle-earth
I?m Starving
Rock Garden
Exodus

(2007/Sinagpore/Loo Zihan) *JP*
(2007/Thailand/Thunska Pansittivorakul) *JP*
(1999/USA/Yau Ching) *JP*
(2007/Canada/GLORIA KIM) *JP*
(2003/Indonesia & Singapore/Sherman Ong)

Dates / Events

Screening Schedule

Venues / Access

OFFICIAL FESTIVAL PARTY @Rehab Lounge Tokyo (Nichome, Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2F Sensho Bldg., 2-13-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
TEL/FAX: 03-3355-7833
Train: 5 mins walk from Exit C8, Shinjuku Sanchome Station (Shinjuku Line, Marunouchi Line, Fukutoshin Line), or 10 mins walk from East Exit, JR Shinjuku Station
Venue info → www.rehabloungetokyo.com

Screenings @KINEATTIC (Harajuku, Tokyo)
1F, 2-27-3, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL/FAX: 03-5411-8053
Train: 10 mins walk from Exit 5, Meiji-Jingumae Station (Chiyoda Line, Fukutoshin Line), or 12 mins walk from Takeshita Exit, Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Bus: 1 min walk from Shibuya Jingumae Post Office (Shibuya “Hachiko Bus”)
Venue info → www.kineattic.com
More info → www.aqff.jp/2009/venues

Screening Tickets

Admission (1 film): 1300 yen
One-day ticket (5 films): 6000 yen (limited to only 5 one-day tickets issued on first-come-first-served basis)
* No advance ticket sales
* For single-film tickets, tickets on sale @KINEATTIC desk 30 mins before each screening
* For one-day tickets (5 films), tickets on sale @KINEATTIC desk 30 mins before 1st screening of the day Train: 5 mins walk from Exit C8, Shinjuku Sanchome Station (Shinjuku Line, Marunouchi Line, Fukutoshin Line), or 10 mins walk from East Exit, JR Shinjuku Station
More info → www.aqff.jp/2009/english

Official AQFF Festival Website

Check out these sites for the latest info:
English site → www.aqff.jp/2009/English
Japanese site → www.aqff.jp