FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 20, 2001
Contact: Margot Gerber
Tel.: 323.461.2020 x 115
E-mail: amcin@msn.com
THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE PRESENTS TWO NIGHTS OF
NEW FILMS FROM SINGAPORE
Co-presented with the Substation/Singapore and The Singapore Film Commission
April 18 – 19, 2001
HOLLYWOOD - The American Cinematheque presents Singapore Nights: New Films From Singapore (April 18-19, 2001). Singapore. A city, a state and a country. A young country, only independent from Malaysia and a host of occupiers and colonial powers since 1965. The only Asian nation with English as the official language. Mandarin and Malay do figure prominently, owing to Singapore’s multi-cultural makeup. As other Asian nations’ film industries explode, most notably Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and China, and their films are seen around the world, Singapore’s fledgling industry is just awakening. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor and explore some of these new visions. We are featuring three features and two shorts. Filmmakers to appear in person, schedule permitting. An opening night reception will follow the screening of CHICKEN RICE WAR. All films in English unless otherwise noted. Appearing in person for a discussion following the screening are CheeK (Director, CHICKEN RICE WAR), Kelvin Tong (Co-director/co-writer, EATING AIR), Juan Foo (Producer, RETURN TO PONTIANAK), Djinn (Director, RETURN TO PONTIANAK) and Hiep Thi Le (Actress, RETURN TO PONTIANAK). In addition, Yuni Hadi from the Substation in Singapore is scheduled to be at all the screenings to discuss Singapore cinema, past, present and future. All guests are subject to their availability. All screenings are at the newly renovated Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the historic Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Las Palmas) in Hollywood. General admission $8.
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
The Wednesday, April 28th program begins at 7:30 PM with a screening of CHICKEN RICE WAR, (2000, Raintree Pictures, 98 min.) Directed by CheeK. (In English and Mandarin with English and Mandarin subtitles) A modern Romeo & Juliet love story re-framed as a comic battle between two food-stall owners in Singapore. The first feature film under the Singapore Film Commission’s "feature film investment scheme",
as well as the first romantic comedy to come out of Singapore Cinema. A smorgasbord of interesting characters, showing the charm of Singapore’s people and culture. Two young lovers, one a Chan, the
other, a Wong. They have eyes for each other, but as they come from families who are competing "Chicken Rice" sellers, there are obstacles aplenty in this broad, hilarious look at petty feuds. Plus CheeK’s "Beansprouts & Salted Fish" (1996, 6 min). A docu-drama that slowly reveals a woman’s past as her present is shown. A reception for all ticket buyers with a fusion menu will follow in the courtyard of the Egyptian.
Thursday, April 19, 2001
The Thursday, April 19th program begins at 7:00 PM with EATING AIR, (1999, United International Pictures, 100 min.) directed by Kelvin Tong and Jasmine Ng. (In English and Mandarin with English and Mandarin subtitles). A high-energy, rip-roaring ride through a teenage land of motorcycle gangs, loan sharks, mystery girls, neon & spiky hair. Beautifully shot in the streets, alleys and concrete canyons of Singapore’s urban environment. A recent winner in the Singapore International Film Festival 2000 Young Cinema Award, this film is the first Singapore feature film to compete at Deauville, France for the Lotus Award. Cast with mostly unknown newcomers, but written and directed by the main film journalist for Singapore’s main daily paper, Kelvin Tong and TV director/editor, Jasmine Ng, this film has been describes as a motorcycle, kung-fu, love story. Kit Chan, one of Singapore’s most popular singers, appears as the "mystery girl." Jump aboard! Plus Kelvin Tong’s "Moveable Feast" (1997, 14 min.) As the name implies, the many culinary loves of one man. Make sure to eat before or during this gastronomic delight.
Following at 9:30 PM is the LA PREMIERE of RETURN TO PONTIANAK, (2000, Vacant Films, 82 min), directed by Djinn. Seeing its first release in Singapore in April, this low-budget digital misadventure is set somewhere in the jungles of Malaysia. A female, horror, Asian, vampire tale. This could be the Southeast Asian version of "The Blair Witch Project". Starring Hiep Thi Le (HEAVEN & EARTH, GREEN DRAGON, CRUEL INTENTIONS), as an American who wishes to find the resting-place of her birth parents who disappeared in this jungle some twenty-five years ago. The ornery, mismatched group who accompanies her start out enthusiastic enough, but things go awry as they come across a Pontinak; a Malay female banshee reputed to be beautiful, but demonic from the mistreatment they or their children received from the men in their lives. Woe to these travelers. Plus Royston Tan’s "Sons" (2000, 10min.) Gorgeous cinematography and a poignant universal story combine in this artful film. (In Hokkien with English subtitles)
PHOTOS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BORROW UPON REQUEST
WE DO NOT HAVE GUARANTEED PRESS PASSES TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ADVANCE PRESS SCREENINGS.
A complete calendar/flyer listing of these films has been mailed to you.
ALL OF THE FILMS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON VIDEOTAPE (NTSC) WITH SUBTITLES FOR PRESS REVIEW IN OUR OFFICES. CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THEM. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL ANDREW CRANE 323.461.2020, ext. 110. THANK YOU.
Available on NTSC Video:
RETURN OF PONTIANAK (82 min.)
EATING AIR (100 min.)
CHICKEN RICE WAR (98 min.)
"Sons" (10 min.)
"Beansprouts & Salted Fish" (6 min.)
"Moveable Feast" (14 min.)
REQUESTS FOR PRESS TICKETS TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS MUST BE IN WRITING. FAX TO 323.461.9737 ATTN: MARGOT GERBER, 24 HOURS PRIOR TO SHOW TIME. FRIDAY AT NOON IS THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY SCREENINGS. JOURNALISTS WISHING TO AUDIO OR VIDEOTAPE DISCUSSIONS MUST ALSO SEND A WRITTEN REQUEST. YOUR NAME WILL THEN BE ON A LIST AT THE BOX OFFICE.
THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
New Ticket Prices: $8 General; $6 Cinematheque Members. $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card. Must be shown at box office at time of purchase.
Our permanent daily attraction film FOREVER HOLLYWOOD is now open. For press passes to see it for review purposes, please call Margot Gerber at 323.461.2020, ext. 115.
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Coming In May:
Film Noir
The Fantasy Films of Russian Director Alexander Ptushko
The Aquatic Fauna Short Films of French Director of Jean Painleve (with Jazz scores)
Egyptian Theatre Historic Tours:
Saturday, April 21 & Sunday, April 22 at 10:30 AM
Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6 at 10:30 AM
American Cinematheque, 1800 North Highland Avenue, Suite 717, Hollywood, CA 90028
(tel) 323.466-FILM
| (fax) 323.461.9737 On the web: http://www.egyptiantheatre.comSCHEDULE (by series)
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