Asian Pop-Up Cinema Welcomes Hong Kong Superstar Aaron Kwok to Chicago on March 14 to Kick-Off Season 16
CHICAGO, IL- (February 27, 2023) Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) today announced the full lineup of films included in Season 16 of its semi-annual Asian film festival. This year’s Chicago-based festival will run between March 18 - April 16 and include a festival pre-launch special event with the premiere of the Hong Kong epic thriller WHERE THE WIND BLOWS attended by the multi-platform superstar Aaron Kwok on March 14.
Following its broader mission to foster an appreciation for diverse Asian culture and common humanity, Season 16 presents 25 movies including six North American Premieres, three U.S. Premieres, and four Midwest Premieres showcasing notable works by filmmakers residing in China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, U.S., and Vietnam.
On Tuesday March 14, one of Hong Kong’s biggest movie stars and “Four Heavenly Kings” Cantonpop star Aaron Kwok will attend the festival’s pre-launch special event and receive the Award for Excellent Achievement in Film acknowledging his superb performance in WHERE THE WIND BLOWS. The North American premiere of the film will follow immediately after the award ceremony to be held at 7:00 pm at AMC NEWCITY 14 in Lincoln Park. Aaron Kwok’s versatility as a concert stage performer and silver screen actor has elevated his superstar status to an unrivaled level in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. South China Morning Post praised WHERE THE WIND BLOWS as “an artistically accomplished, genre-bending epic of the sort that is rarely attempted in Hong Kong Cinema.” The 2015 film PORT OF CALL that won Aaron Kwok the BEST ACTOR award will be shown during this season with details to be announced.
Other awardees include awards-winning Japanese Actress Nahana, who will receive a Career Achievement Award for her multi-faceted role in SHE IS ME, I AM HER on March 18 at 5:30pm AMC Evanston 12. Hong Kong actress Renci Yeung will receive the Bright Star Award for her role as a righteous attorney in A GUILTY CONSCIENCE on March 31 at 7:00pm at AMC NEWCITY 14.
Opening Season 16, A MAN, Kei Ishikawa’s multilayered, masterful drama about Japan’s ‘Lost Generation’ is currently nominated for 13 awards by Japan’s Academy Film Prize (U.S. Academy Award equivalent). On February 24, A MAN just won Japan’s Blue Ribbon Award for “Best Film.” Notable Tokyo-based Japanese film critic Mark Schilling will host the opening weekend’s four Japanese film screenings.
As of February 21, the Festival’s Centerpiece, A GUILTY CONSCIENCE officially becomes the first Hong Kong film to cross the HK$100 million mark at local box office. A courtroom drama with touches of sarcastic comedy is about a relatively straightforward child abuse case involving the death of a supermodel’s child which becomes a battleground of justice, power, and fame. Writer/director Jack Ng and lead actress, Renci Yeung are scheduled to attend the award ceremony and Q&A in person.
The Season Finale film, LOST IN FOREST, is an action-gangster feature about two childhood friends that reconnect after one is released from prison. Now that the other is the new mob boss, the ex-convict meets him at a crossroad but whichever side he chooses, it becomes an eternal trap. Taiwanese writer/director Johnny Chiang and award-winning actor Lee Kang Sheng are scheduled to attend for this North American Premiere.
Other Special Presentations include the North Premiere of MARRY MY DEAD BODY, Cheng Wei Hao’s supernatural comedy about the affections between a ghost and a human just released in Taiwan in February 2023; the U.S. Premiere of REMEMBER WHAT I FORGOT, the story of Lil’ Kim, Hong Kong’s most uninvited guest at movie industry productions and premieres; the Midwest premieres of AJOOMMA, a middle-aged Singaporean widow obsessed with Korean soap operas who travels to Seoul to come to terms with her life; and GAGA, a present day story about an indigenous Taiwanese family dealing with a land dispute, an unexpected pregnancy from a young family member, and a political campaign mounted with financial problems, while trying to maintaining “gaga” (the community’s ancient spiritual guidance commandments).
Since its inception, Asian Pop-Up Cinema has hosted an impressive lineup of film actors, directors, and producers here in Chicago. Directors attending the festival for their North American Premieres are Hong Kong’s Ka Sing Fung for LOST LOVE with a career-bending performance by Hong Kong singer/actress Sammi Cheng - (April 1, 2:30pm AMC NEWCITY 14); and Taiwan’s Johnny Chiang for LOST IN FOREST (14 April 16, 5:30pm AMC NEWCITY 14.)
Other guests include:
Film critic and screen writer Mark Schilling, presenting his Midwest Premiere CONVENIENCE STORY a surrealist comedy that will keep you guessing (March 19, 5:30pm AMC Evanston 12); Japanese Director Mayu Nakamura presenting SHE IS ME, I AM HER a feature film telling four short stories about women living in post-COVID Tokyo (March 18, 5:30pm AMC Evanston 12); U.S./Japan Writer and Director Antonia Grace Glenn & Producer Evelyn Nakano Glenn (The Ito Sisters: An American Story) presenting their award-winning documentary about Japanese Americans who left the West Coast during World War II to escape living in the concentration camps BEFORE THEY TAKE US AWAY (March 19 ,2:30pm AMC Evanston 12).
Season 16 showcases films both in Chicago and Evanston, with screenings at AMC NEWCITY 14, Alliance Française de Chicago, and Illinois Institute of Technology and AMC Evanston 12.
The festival also offers films to audiences online in the United States and Canada via the Eventive streaming platform and through its new partnership with Mubi.com. Streaming first between March 25-31 are four South Korean independent films PLEASE MAKE ME LOOK PRETTY, GOOD MORNING, A HOME FROM HOME and ROLLING.
Between April 3- 9, the festival will launch its new “Movies You May Have Missed” free streaming program. Four titles were handpicked for this segment including Vietnam’s SONG LANG, the winner of 52 international film awards. Written and directed by Leon Le, a New York Broadway actor, dancer and singer, this LGBTQ romantic drama is about an unlikely bond between a folk opera singer working for a struggling theatre and the ruthless loan shark debt collector. Other films are OLD TOWN GIRLS by Chinese Director Shen Yu, that Screen International says is “a mostly gripping film where no one ever knows where they truly stand, but everyone eagerly and stubbornly pretends otherwise”; from Director Werner Herzog, FAMILY ROMANCE LLC, where love is a business at Family Romance, a company that rents human stand-ins for any occasion; and the anime film THE CASE OF HANA AND ALICE a lovingly sensitive comedy to the woes of girlhood directed by Shunji Iwai.
“With so much streaming content in the market, the festival’s priority is to select films made by new and seasoned filmmakers which are elevating, sophisticated, and told with a distinctive voice.” Sophia Wong Boccio, Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s Founder & Executive Director believes that “audiences who come out to see our films in the cinema will come away with new insight on current societies in Asia; or enjoy a new, distinctive filmmaking craft.”
The festival's presentations in theaters during the weekends will feature films by region:
Japan (March 18-19; at AMC Evanston 12, and March 22 at Alliance Française de Chicago); South Korea (March 25-31, streaming on Eventive and at ITT March 25 at 2:30pm); Singapore & China, (March 25 at ITT); Hong Kong (March 31-April 1; at AMC NEWCITY 14), China, Vietnam, Japan & U.S. (April 3-9 “APUC Virtual”), and Taiwan (April 15-16, at AMC NEWCITY 14).
Ticketing
General admission ticket prices range between $0 - $20 depending on the show (with discounts for Seniors (62+). Online tickets range between $0 to $3 (per view basis).
Season 16 will also bring back FREE OR STEEPLY DISCOUNTED STUDENT TICKETS.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at https://buytickets.at/apuc
For Online tickets https://watch.eventive.org/apuc16 and Mubi.com
Festival Sponsors and Partners
Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s semi-annual film festival is partially supported by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York, MacArthur funds for Culture, Equity and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Chicago Film Office, Illinois Humanities, ADG Group, Choose Chicago, Office of Community Affairs at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Japan Airlines, Old National Bank, Masuda Funai, Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, Japanese American Citizens League - Chicago Chapter, Japanese American Service Committee, Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago, and Midwest Temple.
ABOUT SOPHIA’S CHOICE / ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
Asian Pop-Up Cinema, a semi-annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501 C (3) not-for-profit, incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.
Connect with Asian Pop-Up Cinema:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asianpopupcinema
Twitter: asianpopupcine
Instagram: @asianpopupcinema
Vimeo: vimeo.com/asianpopupcinema
ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA – SEASON 16 Full Schedule and Film Details
asianpopupcinema.org/16boxoffice
FESTIVAL PRE-LAUNCH SPECIAL EVENT
WHERE THE WIND BLOWS - 風再起時 - NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Tuesday, March 14, 7:00 PM at AMC NEWCITY 14
(Philip Yung, 2023) Crime-Epic-Romance-Thriller
Lead Actor Aaron Kwok is scheduled to attend for the award ceremony and introduction of the film.
JAPAN WEEK at AMC Evanston 12 (1715 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL)
OPENING FILM
Saturday, March 18, 2:30 PM
A MAN - ある男 - MIDWEST PREMIERE
(Kei Ishikawa, 2022) Mystery/Drama
Saturday, March 18, 5:30 PM
SHE IS ME, I AM HER - ワタシの中の彼女
(Mayu Nakamura, 2022) Fiction
Career Achievement Award Recipient - Lead actress Nahana and Director Mayu Nakamura are scheduled to attend in person to introduce the film and have a Q&A after the film presentation moderated by Mark Schilling.
Sunday, March 19, 2:30 PM
BEFORE THEY TAKE US AWAY
(Antonia Grace Glenn, 2022) Documentary
Presenter/Producer Evelyn Nakano Glenn and Writer/Director Antonia Grace Glenn are scheduled to attend in person to introduce the film and have a Q&A after the screening moderated by Mark Schilling.
Sunday, March 19, 5:30 PM
CONVENIENCE STORY コンビニエンス ストーリー MIDWEST PREMIERE
(Satoshi Miki, 2022) Fantasy/Drama
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 PM at Alliance Française de Chicago (54 W Chicago, Chicago, IL 60610)
UMAMI - U.S. PREMIERE
(Slony Sow, 2022) Culinary/Comedy
SOUTH KOREA AND PRC CHINA at the Michael Paul Galvin Tower, Schulz Auditorium at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) (10 W. 35th St., Chicago)
Saturday, March 25, 2:30pm
AJOOMMA - 아줌마 - MIDWEST PREMIERE
(He Shuming, 2022) Drama
Saturday, March 25, 4:30 PM
PING PONG: THE TRIUMPH 中国乒乓之绝地反击
(Deng Chao, 2023) China | Sports/Drama
March 25 - 31, 2023
SOUTH KOREA STREAMING WEEK
Streaming available for U.S./Canada views at https://watch.eventive.org/apuc16
PLEASE MAKE ME LOOK PRETTY - 니얼굴 - NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Seo-Dong-il, 2020) Documentary/Art
GOOD MORNING 안녕하세요 – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Cha Bong-ju, 2022) Drama
A HOME FROM HOME - 아이를 위한 아이 - NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Lee Seung-hwan, 2022) Drama
ROLLING 말아 - NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Kwak Min-seung, 2022) Drama
HONG KONG WEEK at AMC NEWCITY 14 (1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610)
Friday, March 31, 7:00 PM
CENTERPIECE FILM
A GUILTY CONSCIENCE 毒舌大狀
(Jack Ng, 2023) Courtroom/Drama
Bright Star Award Recipient - Renci Yeung and the director Jack Ng Wai Lun are scheduled to attend the award ceremony and Q&A in person.
Saturday, April 1, 12:00 PM
THE SPARRING PARTNER - 正義迴廊
(Ho Cheuk Tin, 2022) Crime/Court Drama
Saturday, April 1, 5:30 PM
REMEMBER WHAT I FORGOT - 曾經擁有 - U.S. PREMIERE
(Chui Tze Yiu, 2022) Drama/Comedy
Saturday, April 1, 7:15 PM
PORT OF CALL 踏血尋梅
(Philip Yung, 2015) Crime/Thriller
Sunday, April 2, 2:30 PM
LOST LOVE - 流水落花 - NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Ka Sing Fung, 2022) Drama
April 3 - 9, 2023
MOVIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED STREAMING ON EVENTIVE
Streaming available for U.S./Canada views at https://watch.eventive.org/apuc16
(Leon Le, 2018) Vietnam | Drama/LGBTQ Romance
OLD TOWN GIRLS - 兔子暴力
(Shen Yu, 2020) China | Drama |
April 3 – 9, 2023
MOVIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED STREAMING ON MUBI.COM
2023 Streaming available for U.S. and Canada views at MUBI.com
Registration is required first to access the free trial link
(Werner Herzog, 2019) United States | Drama
THE CASE OF HANA AND ALICE - 花とアリス殺人事件 -
(Shunji Iwai, 2015) Japan | Anime/Comedy
TAWIAN WEEK at AMC NEWCITY 14 (1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610)
Saturday, April 15, 2:30 PM
DAY OFF - 本日公休 - U.S. PREMIERE
(Fu Tien-Yu, 2023) Drama/Family
Saturday, April 15, 5:30 PM
MARRY MY DEAD BODY - 關於我和鬼變成家人的那件事
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Cheng Wei Hao, 2022) Supernatural/Comedy/Mystery
Sunday, April 16, 2:30 PM
GAGA - 哈勇家 - MIDWEST PREMIERE
(Laha Mebow, 2022) Family
Sunday, April 16, 5:30 PM
SEASON FINALE
LOST IN FOREST - 山中森林 - N. AMERICAN PREMIERE
(Johnny Chiang, 2022) Action/Feature/Gangster
Director Johnny Chiang and lead actor Lee Kang Sheng are scheduled to attend to introduce the film and have a Q&A afterwards.
ABOUT SOPHIA’S CHOICE / ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
Asian Pop-Up Cinema, a semi-annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501 C (3) not-for-profit, incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the
Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.
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Media Contact: Danielle Garnier
Garnier Public Relations
danielle@garnierpr.com 312-841-3500