"Au Revoir Taipei" to premiere at Asian American Film Festival’s closing night, March 18

The 28th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) opens tonight with The Daily Show, a romantic comedy set in New York City, but with a South Asian flavor. The opening reception will be at the Asian Art Museum, featuring the electrifying beat of Non Stop Bhangra. The Dholrhythms Dance Company will also perform, and give free lessons to attendees. So don’t miss the choice desserts, drinks and a star-studded crowd dancing to the rhythms of bhangra, hip hop, reggae, and electronica.

The closing night gala on March 18 will feature Au Revoir Taipei by Bay Area-native, and Taiwanese-American, Arvin Chen. Set in Taipei, this campy romance combines elements of film noir, classical musical and Taiwanese gangster films. Festival attendees will have the chance to see Taipei’s vibrant nightlife as a lovesick boy and a passive-aggressive bookstore clerk search for love in different pockets of the city.

The film’s North American premiere will show at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas at 7pm. The next evening, the films will be the opening feature at the San Jose Opening Night Gala Reception at Camera 12 Cinemas. A reception will follow at the San Jose Musuem of Art.

Another film with Taiwan roots at this year’s festival is Prince of Tears. Showing on the 13th in San Francisco (Clay), 14th in Berkeley (Pacific Film Archive) and 20th in San Jose (Camera), the film is a coming of age tale set during Taiwan’s brutal anti-communist crackdown in the 1950s. The film focuses on the lives of two young sisters and how living under terror can turn the most hopeful of dreams.
The 28th SFIAAFF will feature approximately 120 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. The festival is presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and is the nation’s largest showcase of Asian and Asian American films. Since 1982, the SFIAAFF has been an important launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers as well as a vital source for new Asian cinema.

To find out more about SFIAAFF or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.asianamericanmedia.org.