The Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival (BAPFF) international cultural programme will see 102 films from 42 countries and areas to be screened during the 11-day celebration.
Announcing the full line-up in Queen Street Mall (27 October), Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says Brisbane audiences will celebrate cinema at its best this November when Brisbane’s signature film festival and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) returns to the city. “Brisbane is Australia’s gateway to Asia Pacific and BAPFF reflects our growing influence on the region’s cultural landscape,” says Cr Quirk.
Opening the festival with high spirits on 19 November will be 'The Idol', which tells the remarkable victory of Mohammen Assaf, the first Palestinian to win 'Arab Idol'. While the festival will close with a bang when 'The Taking Of Tiger Mountain' screens on 29 November; telling of the civil war engulfing China, and a group of bandits strengthening their hold on the north.
APSA/ BAPFF Chairman, Michael Hawkins says that 2015 has “a world-class programme. We’re screening films straight from their premieres at Locarno, Venice and Toronto Film Festivals to Brisbane audiences next month.
Hong Kong Trilogy: Preschooled Preoccupied Preposterous (Hong Kong)
“We have 33 Australian premieres and 23 Queensland premieres in just 11 days. This year has been an incredible year for Asia Pacific film, particularly Australian cinema, and this is an opportunity for Brisbane to see the diversity of film on offer from our region.”
Having already released a popular, 17 film line-up (read: teaser) in their First-Look at the programme, the full showcases announcement 83 feature films, 9 shorts and 10 Virtual Reality works, from 42 countries and areas of Asia Pacific.
{youtube}7xyx9PO_KQc{/youtube}
“We have over 50 international guests attending the film festival to support the screenings. The Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region and this festival pays homage to the exceptional talent and artistry from a region that encompasses 70 countries and areas. Our programme has representation from Egypt to Russia to the Pacific and includes award-winning cinema, festival gems, cult classics, restorations and masterpieces,” says Film Director of APSA/ BAPFF, Maxine Williamson.
“Following the success of the inaugural BAPFF in 2014, this year will see the return of sections A Matter Of Form and The Colours Of Asia Pacific, along with a sophisticated international cultural program offering sections dedicated to Turkish, Malaysian, Hong Kong and Oceanic cinema.”
{youtube}sfhk-tAfga8{/youtube}
Joining this year’s A Matter Of Form line-up are the Australian premieres of satire, 'Atomic Heart' (Islamic Republic of Iran) and the award-winning, poetic 'Thanatos, Drunk' (Taiwan) from veteran Taiwanese director Chang Tso-chi. This section also sees the Queensland premiere of 'Cemetery Of Splendour' (Thailand, Malaysia, France, Germany, United Kingdom), nominated for Best Feature Film and Achievement in Directing at the 9th APSA. Plus 'The Assassin' (Taiwan), 'Right Now, Wrong Then' (Republic of Korea), 'Tehran Taxi '(Islamic Republic of Iran), 'Hong Kong Trilogy: Preschooled Preoccupied Preposterous' (Hong Kong, PRC) and 'Mountains May Depart' (People’s Republic of China, Japan, France).
BAPFF Head Programmer, Kiki Fung was particularly drawn to filmmakers who seek to refine, experiment and expand when selecting the festival programme. “Cinema is a unique art form and our programme reflects this.
Right Now, Wrong Then
“The subtlety and poetry of these films demonstrate different countries' aesthetics and artistic expressions. In this year, there are recurring themes of connection and self-discovery that are profoundly resonating. We are blessed to see these filmmaker's visions brought to screen and are thrilled to share them with our audience.”
Kiki Fung's Top 5 must see films at BAPFF.
The Colours Of Asia Pacific section will this year see the Queensland premiere of 'Downriver' (Australia) featuring 9th APSA-nominee for Best Actor Reef Ireland. Australian premiere of 'The Gulls' (Russian Federation) will also feature at the event, which was nominated for the 2015 APSA UNESCO Award and 9th APSA-nominee for Best Performance by an Actress for Evgeniya Mandzhieva. Plus the Queensland premiere of Naomi Kawase’s 'An' (Japan, France, Germany).
{youtube}EZiHjvBhais{/youtube}
Showcasing works of art from the 21st Century, 'Masterpieces Revisited' demands to be seen on the big screen. Joining Hou Hsiao-hsien’s 'A City of Sadness' (Taiwan) in this section are Mikio Naruse’a 'Floating Clouds' (1955, Japan) and the new 4K restoration of King Hu’s 'A Touch of Zen' (1971, Taiwan).
BAPFF will also feature films and a free immersive visual experience focusing on Virtual Reality in collaboration with their co-presenter, Queensland University of Technology. There will be gala screenings and special events, plus a free family community screening of 'Oddball'.
The Brisbane Asian Pacific Film Festival runs 19-29 November.
