• openingnight

    Oct 11, 05:36 PM by administrator

    Opening Night

    Thur. Nov. 2nd, 7:30 PM

    Life’s preciousness is often magnified through the eyes of children. In PUBLIC BATH, a precocious toddler’s joyful visit to the bathhouse with his father is saddened by a glimpse into the inevitable future. Then in JOURNEY FROM THE FALL, a young son recreates his favorite story through drawings as a means to will his father to survive the tortures of prison camp.

    Journey From The Fall



    Director/Writer: Ham Tran | Producer: Lam Nguyen
    Narrative | 35mm | Colour | 2006 | 134 minutes | Thailand – USA | English & Vietnamese w/ English subtitles

    Director Ham Tran’s impressive feature debut is the first major American film to capture the drama of the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective. The film follows the plight of one family after the fall of Saigon. Determined to stay in his country, Long Nguyen (Long Nguyen, Heaven and Earth) urges his wife (singer Diem Liem) to flee Vietnam with his mother (Kieu Chinh, The Joy Luck Club) and their young son (Nguyen Thai Nguyen). Languishing in a series of Communist re-education camps, he must wait to hear if they have survived the perilous journey to safer shores. Shot in Thailand and the U.S. by accomplished cinematographer Guillermo Rosas (Master And Commander), and featuring outstanding performances from a cast of non-professional and professional actors, JOURNEY FROM THE FALL is a tribute to the perseverance and hope of the Vietnamese people, and a testament to the beauty and power of filmmaking.

    Selected Awards:
    Audience Award, San Francisco Asian American International Film Festival, 2006
    Special Jury Award, Newport Beach Film Festival, 2006
    Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival, 2005

    Canadian Premiere | Director in Attendance

    preceded by:

    Public Bath



    Directors: Tak Hoon Kim, In Pyo Hong | Writer/Producer: Tak Hoon Kim
    Animation | Beta | Colour | 2005 | 9 minutes | USA

    In a public bathhouse, a curious toddler peers into a foggy mirror and sees a reflection of his future self—and his aged father. This exquisitely-rendered animated short reminds us that life, especially those of our loved ones, should never be taken for granted.

    Selected Awards:
    Best Animated Film, San Diego Asian American Film Festival, 2005

    Canadian Premiere

    Celebrity Host for this program:

    Kira Clavell


    Kira Clavell comes to us via Toronto. Her credits include feature Rub and Tug (Canadian Comedy Award nomination), recurring roles on La Femme Nikita, Platinum, The Evidence, Stargate SG-1 and Saved. Upcoming features include Comeback Season opposite Ray Liotta, Homie Spumoni with Whoopi Goldberg and Kickin’ It Old Skool with Jamie Kennedy.


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