6.21.2012

35th asian american international film festival, july 25 - august 5



Heads up, film fans. The 35th Asian American International Film Festival, presented by Asian CineVision, is the nation's longest-running festival of its kind, dedicated to showcasing the best in independent Asian and Asian American film and video.

AAIFF recently announced its special presentation screenings for this year's festival, which kicks off next month in New York. The Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night presentations are:

Opening Night Presentation:



SHANGHAI CALLING
Dir. Daniel Hsia | Starring Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe | USA/China
Shanghai Calling narrates the story of Sam (Daniel Henney), a promising New York attorney, who is dispatched overnight by his bosses to open the firm's new satellite office in the metropolis of Shanghai, where he meets Amanda (Eliza Coupe), the lovely relocation specialist. Sam proves to be capable at his new job by landing a huge deal just hours after arriving at the airport; however, the deal goes mysteriously awry, and Sam finds his career in serious jeopardy. He must trust those who know Shanghai best to lead him through the city.

Centerpiece Presentation:



SUPERCAPITALIST
Dir. Simon Yin | Starring Derek Ting, Kenneth Tseng | USA/Hong Kong
A maverick New York hedge fund trader, Conner (Derek Ting), moves to Hong Kong and manages a mega-deal that swiftly escalates beyond his control. Caught between competing forces in America and Asia in an uncompromising culture of profits at all costs, he desperately tries to negotiate and manipulate inside China's closed, complex society. With his life and Hong Kong's future staked on a corrupt billion dollar deal, the trader decides to take the ultimate risk.

Closing Night Presentation:



KNOTS
Dir. Michael Kang | Starring Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Illeana Douglas, Sung Kang | USA
It's an "UN-romantic comedy" that unfolds how the most unbelieving kind can be nudged into believing. After Lily (Kimberly-Rose Wolter) escapes an engagement trigger-happy boyfriend in LA, she returns home to Hawaii to reluctantly join her dysfunctional family's wedding planning business. Equally chaotic at home is the family strife of her thrice-married mom and two half-sisters, and the unexpected encounter with her ex-boyfriend Kai (Sung Kang).

The Asian American International Film Festival runs July 25 through August 5 in Midtown, Chelsea, and the Upper East Side. The full film lineup will be announced later this month. For more information and further updates, visit the AAIFF 2012 website here.

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