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Mother Fish

March 31, 2011 by quyen · Leave a Comment 

Australia 2009
92 min / color video

Executive Producer: Matthew Reilly
Director/Writer/Producer: Khoa Do
Director Of Photography: Peter A. Holland
Composer: Alan John
Editor: Alison McSkimming Croft
Production Design: Khoa Do, Guido Gonzalez, Jason McGoldrick, Shane MacDonald
Main Cast: Kathy Nguyen, Sheena Pham, Hieu Phan, Vico Thai, Hien Nguyen

There’s no easy way to tell the experiences of 1.5 million boat people that left Vietnam in years that followed the Fall of Saigon, but Khoa Do, director of The Finished People and Footy Legends, decided to tell it in one of the most difficult ways possible.

Mother Fish takes place almost entirely in a sewing factory. A small item in the factory triggers the traumatic memories of a lonely seamstress, and instantly the sewing factory is figuratively transformed in convincing fashion to resemble the journey of the woman’s aquatic exodus. The film itself is shot in a crisp sepia tone, an effective method for depicting nostalgia. Another favorite motif is the realistic decay of the “boat” over time, symbolizing the fact that most boats used by the refugees were unfit for extended sea travel. The acting in the film is absolutely superb, especially given the limited room in which the actors were given to use their space creatively. Some compare this film to the black-box theater style of Lars von Trier’s Dogville, an apt comparison in subject matter, though Mother Fish is much more successful at accomplishing its goals.

Do uses English instead of Vietnamese dialogue, which raises many questions about the recollection of memory and the possible representation of a minority story to a wide audience. Do claims that this woman, assimilated by her English-speaking surroundings, would recall these events predominately in English. This choice also caters to the non-Vietnamese speaking audiences that know little about the experiences of Vietnamese immigrants, and it also underscores the language difficulties in their encounters with other people in Southeast Asia and beyond. It would be interesting to put this film adjacent to a previous VIFF entry – Ham Tran’s Journey from the Fall – who focuses on the same subject matter but represents it in a very different way.

Mother Fish is a very challenging film to watch, but it is an absolutely necessary film to show at a venue like VIFF. It is truly an artistic marvel that shows the experience of so much pain and sorrow within such a small space and time.

By Lee Ngo

Filed Under: '11 Films Synopsis, ViFF
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Antoine

March 31, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Canada 2009
82 min / color video
French and Vietnamese with English subtitles

Executive Producers: Mila Aung-Thwin, Daniel Cross
Producer/Director/Writer: Laura Bari
Sound: Antoine Hoang, Laura Bari
Music: Ramachandra Borcar
Editor: Sophie Farkas-Bolla
Main Cast: Antoine Hoang, Maelle Thomas-Traoré, Julietta Maeder-Bari, Annick Laplante, Lise Hemond, Muriel de Zangrouniz, and the kindergarten class at Saint-Enfant-Jésus de Montréal.

Six year-old Antoine Hoang cannot see, but what he is unable to comprehend visually, his mind more than makes up for with a curiosity that is at once keen, precocious, and insistently expressive. He could choose to define his existence with despair, or anger, or hatred. But in Antoine, the documentary by Montreal-based director Laura Bari, we catch a glimpse into this boy’s imagination and find nothing less than one human being’s defense against darkness, both literal and figurative. The results are perceptually stunning and spiritually fortifying.

Bari follows young Antoine as he attempts to locate the missing Madame Rouski, who mysteriously has vanished into the water while in the shower. The quest is, of course, make-believe—when Bari “enlists” Antoine’s services as a private eye, she sets both the game and the film in motion—but in giving him a mission that requires the full range of senses, the director sets the stage for Antoine’s imaginary journey. It’s an effective device. We watch as he discusses investigative leads with his young colleagues (classmates in a school that Antoine has been integrated into); buckles into the driver’s seat of a car, preparing to drive off; and treks through stunning natural landscapes far off the beaten path of the practices and routines so important to an impaired person’s survival.

As whimsically liberating as these jaunts into the imagination may be, the film is most powerful when young Antoine is forced to confront the limitations of his reality. Clarity can be cruel—but the will of the soul has no less than the power to inspire. Antoine is a tribute that does justice both to the depths of this power and the extraordinary boy who wields it, simply by being who he is.

By Jesse Cheng

Filed Under: '11 Films Synopsis, ViFF
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14 Day (14 Ngày Phép)

March 31, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Vietnam 2009
95 min / color video
Vietnamese with English subtitles

Producers:  Jimmy Nghiem Pham, Tawny Truc Nguyen
Director/Writer:  Khoa Trong Nguyen
Cinematographer:  Dominic Pereira
Sound:  Michael Fox
Music:  Christopher Wong
Editor:  Ham Tran
Main Cast:  Trinh Hoi, Ngoc Lan, Thai Hoa, Binh Minh, Kim Phuong

14 DAYS is the story of a naïve Vietnamese-American man on vacation for two life-changing weeks in the country he left as a child. What unfolds is an unexpected, endearing love story that takes place when Dung (Trinh Hoi) arrives in Vietnam from the United States, broken down following a devastating break-up with his girlfriend.

As is sometimes true with men behaving badly on vacation, Dung is strongly encouraged by his obnoxious local friend, tour guide, and wingman, Lam (Thai Hoa, De Mai Tinh), to exploit the women they encounter in Saigon. Instead of taking advantage of the women that are brought to him by Lam and bowing to peer pressure, Dung tries to do the right thing by avoiding to take part in the “festivities” that Lam has planned. Initially, Dung’s overall lack of confidence and inability to stand up for himself force him into a few uncomfortable situations.

These circumstances eventually lead to his gradual yet striking transformation after a chance encounter with Thao, who steals his heart. Through their brief moments together, Dung trades chaos for calm and experiences a more romantic and touching side of Vietnam. The difficult life story and interaction with Thao allows Dung to realize the importance of love, tolerance, and the need to help others.

Herein lies the warmth and charm of the film’s premise: Just when you think you are watching a handsome Vietnamese-American man bask in his post-break-up-revenge, you’re in for a pleasant ride as director Khoa Trong Nguyen offers an alternative perspective to a side of Vietnam we may never see again on the big screen.

By Kenneth Nguyen

Filed Under: '11 Films Synopsis, ViFF
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Saigon Electric

March 28, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Vietnam/USA 2011
109 mins / 35mm color
Vietnamese with English subtitles

Producers: Elizabeth Ai, Danny Do, Stephane Gauger
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: Stephane Gauger
Sound: John Che
Music: Pete Nguyen, DJ Slim
Editor: Danny Do, Ham Tran, Stephane Gauger
Main Cast: Van Trang, Quynh Hoa, Khuong Ngoc, Zen 04, Viet Max, Elly Nguyen

What happens when director Stephane Gauger (Owl and Sparrow) combines the culture of hip hop that originated in 1970’s New York with one of the most complex, crowded, and oldest cities in the world?

The answer is Saigon Electric, Gauger’s innovative take on hip hop street dance and Saigon.

At the plot level, it’s a classic dance-movie plot. Mai, a ribbon dancer from the countryside moves to Saigon to audition for a dance school only to find herself over her head. A street dancer named Kim falls for a guy from the right side of the tracks. And their crew, Saigon Fresh, risks losing their community center/dance space to greedy hotel developers unless they can outduel their rivals, the North Killaz.

But three aspects distinguish Electric from the rest of the dance movie pack.

The first is Gauger’s attention to detail, all the seemingly little factors that quickly add up to pack a cinematic punch. The score and music, by Pete Nguyen and DJ Slim respectively, add reflection and energy to Gauger’s great eye for and camera work of daily life in contemporary Saigon. The opening sequence of a b-boy dancing in a puddle is gorgeous and sets a definitive tone for the rest of the film.

Second, the performance of the actors, while especially raw for the dancers, is visceral. There is a sense that these dancers, who learned so much of their craft watching videos and YouTube from abroad, want to return the favor and get their name out to the world with passionate performances that range from street solos to impromptu battles to a full-fledged competition. Newcomer Quynh Hoa, who plays Kim, has a battle face and street swagger that could make her at home in the streets of Los Angeles or New York.

And last, Gauger’s global vision rings true. Vietnam is now a young country, with a majority of the population of ninety million inhabitants under the age of thirty-five. In Saigon Electric, he captures the story of a city and a nation, for better or worse, dancing itself into an interconnected future.

Synopsis by:  Ky-Phong Tran

Print & Tape Source

Saigon Electric, LLC
Kenneth Nguyen
4202 Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Tel.: 213-446-2274
nguyenkenneth@hotmail.com

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Closing Day - April 17th

March 27, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Download The Official Program Schedule (PDF)

SUNDAY, April 17th CLOSING DAY @ UC Irvine

1:00pm - 2:30pm - Set 20: A Necessary Journey (Room HG 1070)

2:30pm - 3:00pm - Q&A

3:00pm - 4:45pm - Set 21: Floating Lives (Cánh Đòng Bát Tận) (Room HIB 110)

4:45pm - 5:15pm - Q&A

CLOSING NIGHT - AWARDS CEREMONY


6:30pm - 7:30pm - Awards Ceremony
7:30pm - 9:00pm - Closing Film (Room HIB 100)

9:00pm - 9:30pm - Q&A
9:30pm - 12:30am - Closing Night Gala @ Humanities Gateway (UC Irvine)

Pre-Purchase - Choose Set

Visit the Will-Call table to pick-up your ticket on the day of the screening.



Click on a date below to view the program for that day!

April 7 | April 8 | April 9 | April 10 | April 14 | April 15 | April 16 | April 17

Filed Under: Schedule, ViFF
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April 16th

March 27, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Download The Official Program Schedule (PDF)

Attention: Films with * contain mature contents. Viewer discretion advised.

SATURDAY, April 16th @ UC Irvine

1:00pm - 2:50pm - Set 16: Hope in Transition (Room HG 1070)

2:50pm - 3:20pm - Q&A

4:00pm - 5:30pm - Set 17: Don’t Look Back (Khi Yêu Đừng Quay Đầu Lại) (Room HIB 1070)

5:30pm - 6:00pm - Q&A

4:00pm - 5:50pm - Set 18: Bumps in the Night (Room HG 1800)

5:50pm - 6:20pm - Q&A

6:00pm - 9:30pm - Set 19: Touch (Room HIB 100)

  • 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Wine Reception (hosted by the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce - VACOC)
  • 7:30pm - 9:20pm - Feature: Touch - Minh Duc Nguyen / USA / 2011 / 109 min *sneak preview*
  • 9:20pm - 9:50pm - Q&A
Choose Set

Visit the Will-Call table to pick-up your ticket on the day of the screening.



Click on a date below to view the program for that day!

April 7 | April 8 | April 9 | April 10 | April 14 | April 15 | April 16 | April 17

Filed Under: Schedule, ViFF
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High School Day - April 15th

March 27, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Download The Official Program Schedule (PDF)

Attention: Films with * contain mature contents. Viewer discretion advised.

FRIDAY, April 15th HIGH SCHOOL DAY @ Bowers Museum, Santa Ana

Hosted by Union Bank. FREE for high school students with I.D.

11:00am - 12:30pm - Set 13: Born This Way

12:30pm - 1:00pm - Q&A

4:00pm - 5:35pm - Set 14: Venturing Out

5:35pm - 6:05pm: Q & A

7:30pm - 8:40pm - Set 15: Truth in Resonance

8:40pm - 9:10pm - Q&A

9:10pm - 11:00pm - Common Ground - music & poetry open music

Pre-Purchase - Choose Set

Visit the Will-Call table to pick-up your ticket on the day of the screening.


Click on a date below to view the program for that day!

April 7 | April 8 | April 9 | April 10 | April 14 | April 15 | April 16 | April 17

Filed Under: Schedule, ViFF
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UCLA Day - April 14th

March 27, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Download The Official Program Schedule (PDF)

Attention: Films with * contain mature contents. Viewer discretion advised.

THURSDAY, April 14th ViFF @ UC Los Angeles

Sponsored by UCLA, FREE for all

4:00pm - 6:00pm - Set 11: Day of the Bruins (UCLA)

6:00pm - 6:30pm - Q&A

7:30pm - 9:10pm - Set 12: Clash (Bảy Rông) (UCLA)

9:10pm - 9:30pm - Q&A

Ticket: FREE, sponsored by UCLA

Click on a date below to view the program for that day!

April 7 | April 8 | April 9 | April 10 | April 14 | April 15 | April 16 | April 17

Filed Under: Schedule, ViFF
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April 10th

March 27, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Download The Official Program Schedule (PDF)

Attention: Films with * contain mature contents. Viewer discretion advised.

SUNDAY, April 10th ViFF @ UC Irvine

1:00pm - 2:40pm - Set 8: A Sense of Loss (Room HG 1070)

2:40pm - 3:10pm - Q&A

2:00pm - 4:00pm - Filmmakers’ Panel Discussion (Room HG 1010)

4:00pm - 5:40pm - Set 9: The Brilliant Kisses (Những Nụ Hôn Rực Rỡ) (Room HIB 1070)

5:40pm - 6:10pm - Q&A

7:30pm - 9:15pm - Set 10: Adrift (Chơi Vơi) (Room HG 1070)

9:15pm - 9:45pm - Q&A

Pre-Purchase - Choose Set

Visit the Will-Call table to pick-up your ticket on the day of the screening.



Click on a date below to view the program for that day!

April 7 | April 8 | April 9 | April 10 | April 14 | April 15 | April 16 | April 17

Filed Under: Schedule, ViFF
Tagged:

Spotlight Award Night - April 9th

March 27, 2011 by quyen · Comments Off 

Download The Official Program Schedule (PDF)

Attention: Films with * contain mature contents. Viewer discretion advised.

SATURDAY, April 9th Spotlight Award Night @ UC Irvine

1:00pm - 2:25pm - Set 4: The Other Side of Town (Room HG 1070)

2:25pm - 2:55pm - Q&A

4:30pm - 5:55pm - Set 5: Antoine (Room HG 1070)

  • Feature: Antoine - Laura Bari / Canada / 2009 / 82 min

5:55pm - 6:30pm - Q&A

6:00pm - 9:30pm - Set 6: Mother Fish (Room HIB 100)

  • 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Wine Reception (hosted by Vietnamese American Community Ambassadors - VACA
  • 7:30pm - 9:00pm - Feature: Mother Fish - Khoa Do / Australia / 2009 / 92 min
  • 9:00pm - 9:30pm - Q&A

11:00pm - 12:30am - Set 7: Birdemic: Shock and Terror (Room HG 1070)

Pre-purchase tickets are now CLOSED. Please arrive at the screening to get your ticket at the door.




Click on a date below to view the program for that day!

April 7 | April 8 | April 9 | April 10 | April 14 | April 15 | April 16 | April 17

Filed Under: Schedule, ViFF
Tagged:

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