The programme is packed with premieres, cinema classics, guest appearances and special presentations. BAPFF also provides a rare chance to experience 34 of the nominated films from the 9th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the region’s highest accolade in film.
According to BAPFF Head Programmer, Kiki Fung, it was challenging enough to select just 17 films featured in the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival’s 'First Look' – to single out a mere five was almost impossible! But she managed it… Here’s her Top 5:
'The Assassin'The Assassin (Taiwan) + A City of Sadness (Taiwan)
Hou Hsiao-hsien’s 'The Assassin' has reinvented the martial arts genre, and cinema. Here is another martial arts film where actions, choreography or plots don’t matter as much as the philosophy, the 'Tao'. Formally and stylistically, this is one very rare Chinese language film which beautifully and acutely captures the aesthetics and essence of Southern School Chinese landscape painting and classical Chinese poetry.For me, the idea of a lone (female) warrior determined to stay away from the jianghu’s conspiracies and politics, and seeking to embrace nature and its innocence, is incredibly touching.
Hou’s screen writer, Chu Tien-wen (also one of my favourite writers) discussed extensively the lyrical tradition of Chinese literature in an article regarding 'A City Of Sadness', hence it is timely to revisit Hou’s 1989 masterpiece which had become an immediate classic of Taiwanese and world cinema. Hou’s aesthetics and fascination for the charm that lies in air, light and shadows in his poetic long shots which speak to the will of nature, were already there and have been carried through to 'The Assassin'.
'Right Now, Wrong Then'Right Now, Wrong Then (Republic of Korea)
I adore Hong Sang-soo, the Korean auteur who never disappoints! To watch a Hong Sang-soo film is like drinking soju (yes, it has to be soju) with a good old friend: you know exactly what to expect, yet at the same time there are always surprises. Here is Hong’s virtuoso experiment on form that shows the surprises and delights of an unpredictable and increasingly fickle world. Beneath the frivolity and humour is a filmmaker who deeply understands (the bitterness of) life and is able to transcend cynicism into light-heartedness.
'Tehran Taxi'Tehran Taxi (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Jafar Panahi is a real artist. Following his mentor Abbas Kiarsotami, his films often carry piercing observation in humanity and contemporary Iranian society, stripped of any fabricated dramas. 'Tehran Taxi' is seemingly simple yet deceptively clever. If we remember 'Crimson Gold', 'This is Not a Film' or 'Closed Curtain' as angry and frustrated; Panahi is now the composed artist who looks at the absurdity of life with a confident and sneering smile. Sometimes we can only laugh.{youtube}5hYkteGqZfY{/youtube}
Hong Kong Trilogy: Preschooled Preoccupied Preposterous (Hong Kong)
The Australian-born acclaimed director/cinematographer’s love letter to his second home: Hong Kong. Having assimilated to the local life, to the point of speaking Cantonese fluently and occasionally prefers to communicate in it, Doyle’s observation of this beloved (if also sometimes perplexing) metropolis is intimately authentic. This is accompanied by his unique perspective as a Western immigrant, and better enriched by an idiosyncrasy à la Christopher Doyle, blending documentary, fiction and fantasy all together. The documentation of the community spirit born within Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement is particularly tender{youtube}zSyItIx7Lj8{/youtube}
'Spear'Spear (Australia)
Culture, history and art all speak in this film. From Brisbane’s Stephen Page, 'Spear' crosses over cinematic narrative with dance theatre and features exquisite performances from the world-renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre. As we follow the young aboriginal man through outback landscapes and rough city streets, 'Spear' speaks to the aboriginals’ attempt to transform the traditional to the modern, and coming to terms with white man’s culture that has dominated their land. A unique and immersive experience!The Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival screens 19-29 November. The full programme will be launched in the Queen Street Mall 28 October. Tickets on sale 28 October.
