Asian American International Film Festival

The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), presented by Asian CineVision, is the first and longest running festival in the country devoted to films by and about Asians and Asian Americans.

The 38th annual festival will take place in New York City from July 23 to August 1, 2015. Screenings will be held at Cinema Village East (181-189 2nd Avenue), Asia Society (725 Park Avenue), Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street), Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria), and Flushing Town Hall (13735 Northern Boulevard, Flushing).

Asian American Arts Alliance members and friends can enjoy a discount by using code a4aaiff15 when purchasing tickets.

A few of the events are listed below. Please go to http://aaiff.org/2015/ for a comprehensive list of screenings and events.

OPENING NIGHT: MY VOICE, MY LIFE

AAIFF 2015 raises the opening night curtains with Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang’s feature film MY VOICE, MY LIFE. Following a group of under-privileged Hong Kong youngsters, MY VOICE, MY LIFE is the life affirming journey of self-discovery and growth as this group of misfits undergoes six-months of rigorous training to produce a musical on stage.

MY VOICE, MY LIFE will screen on July 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at Asia Society.

NEW YORK CITY PREMIERES (incomplete list)

Each year AsianCineVision looks to bring the best and brightest Asian and Asian American films to New York audiences, and this year is no exception. AAIFF 2015 is pleased to present the following New York City premieres.

FACTORY BOSS, directed by Zhang Wei, is a compelling look into the heart of China’s manufacturing culture. Based on Wei’s personal experiences in Shenzhen, FACTORY BOSS follows the global economic effect of the rising demand for cheap Chinese labor and the social issues surrounding its labor force. With increasing competition pushing profit margins to a razor thin line, the future of not only the business, but also of the workers rest heavily on the shoulders of factory boss, Lin Dalin.

Directed by Taiwanese-Argentine filmmaker Juan Martin Hsu, LA SALADA is a multicultural story about the experience of new immigrants in Argentina. Blending the stories of Korean, Taiwanese and Bolivian immigrants who are not exactly at home, yet no longer belong to the countries they were born in, LA SALADA captures the constant struggle with identity issues, social exclusion and the generation gap that many immigrants face today.

In addition to it’s New York debut, HENERAL LUNA, directed by Jerrold Tarog will make its World Premiere at AAIFF 2015. Following the life of one of Philippine history’s most brilliant military men, General Antonio Luna, HENERAL LUNA is the story of General Luna during the Philippine-American war, as he tries to lead his countrymen against colonial masters and rise above their own raging disputes to fulfill the promise of the Philippine Revolution.

DRAGON BLADE, directed by Daniel Lee and starring Jackie Chan, John Cusack and Adrien Brody is a historical East meets West action film about the fight for the silk road. Set in China during the Han dynasty (206-220 AD), DRAGON BLADE follows Huo An (Chan), a Chinese commander who is framed and enslaved for a crime he didn’t commit. Crossing paths and eventually forming an unlikely alliance with Roman soldier Lucius (Cusack), the duo band together to rebel against the corrupt Roman leader, Tiberus (Brody).