Diverse Narratives Highlight 2007 VC Film Fest

Romantic comedy, horror, period and mockumentary titles compete against straight-up dramas for the narrative Grand Jury prize at the 2007 VC FilmFest, opening May 3 with "Finishing the Game," a 70s comedy from "Better Luck Tomorrow" director Justin Lin. Lin's 07 Sundance Film Festival official selection shares the VC lineup with another documentary spoof, Grace Lee's tongue-in-cheek "American Zombie," the festival's Centerpiece presentation May 6.

"American Fusion" the Hawaii International Film Festival's 2005 audience-award winner, stars Taiwanese sweetheart Sylvia Chang and Esai Morales in a charming romantic comedy that pits cultural traditions and family obligations against the power of true love. Contemporary relationships also get a workout in "The Trouble With Romance," Gene Rhee's multi-part comedy about Angelenos struggling with the challenges of love and (especially) sex.

Among the festival's period dramas, "The American Pastime" -- set against the backdrop of the World War II Japanese-American internment -- goes up against May 10 closing night film "The Rebel," a tale of conflicting loyalties in 1920s Saigon. Romeo Candido's Canadian-Filipino psychological horror film "Ang Pamana: The Inheritance," part of a mini-wave of similar Filipino titles that includes "Blackout" and "Sigaw," follows two Canadian siblings as they journey to the Luzon backcountry to uncover the mysterious circumstances surrounding their grandmother's death.

A total of 11 features will vie for the narrative Grand Jury prize while nine films contend for the documentary award, including Linda Hattendorf's award-winning artist profile "The Cats of Mirikitani," and "View From a Grain of Sand," Meena Nanji's examination of three activist's participation in 30 years of women's rights struggles in Afghanistan. (All 20 films are also eligible for the festival's audience award.)

Capsule reviews of several narrative competitors follow.


Finishing the Game

"Better Luck Tomorrow" writer-director Justin Lin returns to independent filmmaking following back-to-back studio movies ("Annapolis," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift") with "Finishing the Game," a raucous '70s period comedy.

Given Lin's reputation and affection for the material, sure stylistic command and engaging performances by a strong ensemble cast, ongoing festival play is assured, while well-targeted marketing by a savvy distributor will capture hip urban audiences and could help the film cross over to broader appeal.

Read the full Hollywood Reporter review


American Zombie

Returning to narrative filmmaking for the first time since her Student Academy Award-winning short film “Barrier Device,” prolific documentary director Grace Lee fuses the two genres into a trenchant black comedy focusing on Los Angeles’ fictive underground zombie community.

Playing themselves, Lee and filmmaker John Solomon set out to explore the world of the living dead in a documentary profiling four different zombies: health-food obsessed lonely heart Judy (Suzy Nakamura), convenience store clerk and zine artist Ivan (Austin Basis), self-obsessed florist Lisa (Jane Edith Wilson), and Zombie Advocacy Group community organizer Joel (Al Vicente).

While Lee is more interested in delving into the psycho-social challenges faced by the undead, Solomon remains obsessed with uncovering whether zombies actually eat human flesh and indulge in any of the other atrocities that popular media attributes to them. Their differing perspectives clash when the filmmaking team attends the zombies-only Live Dead annual retreat, leading to unexpected revelations.

Lee navigates the film with tongue planted firmly through cheek, her deadpan delivery countered by Solomon’s off-kilter intensity, while Nakamura engagingly enlivens Judy’s dramatic transformation from denial to full self-realization. The filmmakers’ mobile camerawork and documentary stylings complement the movie’s conceits, although the narrative undergoes a major tonal shift late in the film.


American Fusion

Divorced, middle-aged community reporter Yvonne (Sylvia Chang) has a lot on her hands dealing with her demanding mother, an obnoxious son and large Taiwanese-American family. She's largely given up on finding love again, although she can still dream (about boy-toy model Fabio, cameo-ing in an opening scene).

On assignment to cover a new business opening in her Pasadena-area neighborhood, Yvonne meets attractive Mexican-American dentist Jose (Esai Morales), who's quickly taken with her endearing awkwardness in an amusing meet-cute scene.

Although their first few dates go well, a Hispanic suitor is about the last potential son-in-law that Yvonne's conservative family can contemplate and while Jose's relatives are more accepting, there appears to be trouble ahead, particularly when Yvonne's mother is scheduled for surgery after an unfortunate run-in with a marauding massage machine.

Director and co-writer Frank Lin maintains a light touch throughout, balancing clever dialogue and amusing situations with bursts of inspired slapstick. While "American Fusion" may not break any romantic comedy molds, the film's topicality and empathy for its characters serve up an enticing multicultural blend of bittersweet heartache and genuine humor.