Tomodachi

In search of Asia:
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Asian Film Festival
The over 30 films from 13 countries!
Nov3-13 @ St. Anthony main theatre www.mnfilmarts.org

Anime Programs
Summer Wars
http://www.nipponcinema.com/trailers/summer-wars-trailer
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda

Showtime(s): November 13th – 4:30PM

In this brilliantly inventive Japanese Anime, eleventh-grade math genius Kenji takes a summer job to impress his girlfriend, Natsuke, a position which leads him to the countryside to celebrate the 90th birthday of a spunky matriarch who herself belongs to an ancient clan. Half his job is to dance with Natsuke, the other to solve a mysterious equation that will end most of the world’s social and business hijacking. Director Yoshiyuki Sadamoto is seen as inheriting the mantle of famed Hayao Miyazaki with this dazzling film. 2009, Japan, 114 min, In Japanese w/ English Subtitles

It was nominated for the 2009 Golden Leopard award at the Locarno International Film Festival, and won the 2010 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year.

Redline
http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/14/awesome-official-trailer-for-takeshi-koikes-anime-redline/
Directed by: Takeshi Koike

Showtime(s): Sat, November 6th – 9:30

Known for frequent spectacular crashes and retro fashion sense, futuristic racer JP qualifies for a special race called Redline. When the government of Roboworld threatens any race participant with death, JP feels a responsibility to his fans, and participates despite the danger. Called “something very special, very different, and insanely exhilarating” by the Anime News Network, this stylish film will leave the audience breathless after a mind-blowing climax.

2010, Japan, 101 min, In Japanese w/ English Subtitles

Martial Arts Films
Ip Man 2
Directed By: Wilson Yip

Showtime(s): Fri, November 12th – 9:45

Box office blowout and martial arts spectacular, the sequel to one of Asia’s highly acclaimed films roars across the Pacific with full and undubbed glory. Playing Grand Master Ip Man, the real life mentor of Bruce Lee, international star Donnie Yen takes on corrupt British forces and local government officials as he tries to teach his student Wing Chung the martial arts.

2010, Hong Kong, 108 min, In Cantonese/Mandarin/English w/ English Subtitles

Gallants
Directed By: Derek Kwok & Clement Cheng

Showtime(s): Sat, November 13th – 7:15

This comic tribute to the classic Shaw Brothers martial arts spirit, starring three long-retired masters, revives the genre in a genuinely fresh and moving tale, which leading U.S./Asian film watcher Shelly Kraicer termed “heart stopping” (2010 Vancouver Int’l Film Fest). Two action vets (Bruce Leung Sui-lung and Chen Kuan-ti) have been peacefully looking after a friend’s restaurant when a nerdy flunky for a bunch of petty gangsters enters the scene. Despite feeling the years of their aging bodies, the old pros go into training again for the amazing and truly spectacular, inevitable, showdown, uniting numerous Bruce Lee cohorts in this affectionate comedy. (Audience Award co-winner, New York Asian Film Festival, 2010).

2010, Hong Kong, 98 min, In Cantonese w/ English Subtitles.

Clash
Directed By: Le Thanh Son

Showtime(s): Mon, November 8th – 9:15; Wed, November 10th – 9:15

Taking the success of their 2006 feature The Rebel to the next level, martial arts specialists Johnny Tri Nguyen and Ngo Thanh Van combine fast-paced martial arts, epic shootouts, and the archetypal heroes and villains in this, the highest grossing Vietnamese film of last year.

2009, Vietnam, 90 min, In Vietnamese w/ English Subtitles

Crazy Racer
Directed By: Ning Hao

Showtime(s): Fri, November 5th – 9:30; Thurs, November 11th – 9:45

Billed as a Chinese caper comedy, this action-adventure story focused on the lives of express deliverymen, traffic cops, lonely beauties, ludicrous crime bosses, switched identities and evil pharma charlatans, serves up a subculture in this multi-layered farce. Rated “one of the best” from the recent NY Asian Film Fest by The Village Voice (decribed overall as ‘wacky’ this year).

2009, China, 99 min, In Mandarin w/ English Subtitles