Immigrant Stories

Sat. Nov. 3rd, 3:30 PM

Every immigrant has their own story as to why they would leave their home to move to a foreign land. The lives of three immigrants from various backgrounds are explored in this program. In CUT & DRY, Wendy Su finds a large clientele who are intrigued by her unique ability to make them look like stars. A young immigrant in New York experiences the reality and hardships of the big city in D4 DELIVERY. Finally, Tung Trinh escapes from certain death only to return years later to find answers to her past in BOLINAO 52. This film will haunt you long after its screening.

Cut & Dry

Director/Writer: Siu Ta | Producers: Anita Lee, NFB National Film Board
Documentary | Beta | Colour | 2006 | 11 minutes | Canada

What do you get for a $6 haircut? At the Rainbow Hair Salon, Wendy Su can make you look like Jackie Chan or Tiger Woods! Despite the language barrier, this Vietnamese/Chinese immigrant’s tiny salon draws a multicultural mix of people, even the occasional overly flirtatious male client, but Wendy takes it all in stride.

World Premiere

D4 Delivery

Director/Writer: Heland Lee | Producers: Heland Lee, Vladimir Gitlevich, John E. Schumacher
Narrative | 35mm | Colour | 2007 | 13 minutes | USA

Living in New York City can be perilous, and this short film touches on the life of an immigrant struggling to survive, and the alienation he feels, in a city that can be quite unwelcoming.

Vancouver Premiere

Bolinao 52

Director/Writer/Producer: Duc Nguyen
Documentary | Beta | Colour | 2006 | 60 minutes | USA/Vietnam

Seventeen years after being saved from a horrific death, Tung Trinh, a Vietnamese refugee returns to a village that brought her to life. She goes on a search for her rescuers and the remnants of her past. While searching for old memories, Tung Trinh relives her gruesome escape.

Previous Screenings/Selected Awards:
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival 2007
Audience Award, Vietnamese International Film Festival 2007

Canadian Premiere

Celebrity Host for this program:

Gigi deLeon

Gigi deLeon: a native of Toronto, Gigi’s film credits include Norman Jewison’s BOGUS, A GOOD NIGHT FRIEND (Berlin Film Festival) and a lead role in Foreign Bodies (Cannes Film Festival). A series regular on NO PLACE LIKE HOME, she also recurs on HBO’s CARNIVALE, KUNG FU-THE LEGEND CONTINUES, and guest starred on SECRET AGENT MAN, TITUS, THE DIVISION and ANDROMEDA.

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