Curtain Up! - 2021 AAAFF Documentary Review

The Documentary: Curtain Up!

The Directors: Hui Tong and Kelly Ng

The Story: A group of kids in New York's Chinatown prepare for the musical production of "Frozen Kids" and begin to discover their identities. Behind the scenes, they face Asian stereotypes, families' expectations and uncertainties post-graduation.

Gaia - Movie Review

The Movie: Gaia

The Director: Jaco Bouwer

The Cast: Monique Rockman, Carel Nel, Alex van Dyk, Anthony Oseyemi

The Story: An injured forest ranger on a routine mission is saved by two off-the-grid survivalists. What is initially a welcome rescue grows more suspicious as the son and his renegade father reveal a cultish devotion to the forest.  When their cabin is attacked by a strange being it’s clear there is a far greater threat in this unrelenting wilderness.

The Great War of Archimedes / アルキメデスの大戦 - Movie Review

The Movie: The Great War of Archimedes / アルキメデスの大戦

The Director: Takashi Yamazaki 

The Cast: Suda Masaki, Emoto Tasuku, Hamabe Minami, Shofukutei Tsurube, Kobayashi Katsuya

The Story: Pre-WWII, the Japanese Navy commissioned the creation of impressive “supership” Yamato, strongly opposed by a top official insisting on more strategic and battle-ready warships. After being ignored without cause, Admiral Yamamoto recruits a math genius to help uncover what he soon suspects is a massive conspiracy.

Red Post on Escher Street / エッシャー通りの赤いポスト - 2021 AAAFF Movie Review

The Movie: Red Post on Escher Street / エッシャー通りの赤いポスト

The Director: Sion Sono

The Cast: Mala Morgan, Taro Suwa, Tetsu Watanabe, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Tomoko Fujita, Jun Toba

The Story: It follows a filmmaker who holds auditions for his next project. Several of the actors who fail to win roles participate as extras.

Fan Girl - 2021 AAAFF Movie Review

The Movie: Fan Girl

The Director: Antoinette Jadaone

The Cast: Charlie Dizon, Paulo Avelino, Bea Alonzo

The Story: Fan Girl is about a fanatical Paulo Avelino fan who meets her onscreen idol  in less than ideal circumstances after stowing away in the back of his pickup truck.

The Interview: