DIRECTOR MIRA NAIR RECEIVES LAAPFF LEGACY AWARD

By Mabel Pais

The best of Asian Pacific American films and filmmakers from around the world come to Los Angeles at the 38th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) celebrating New Artists, Legends, Leaders, Creators, Indigenous Voices, and World Premieres. The Festival takes place May 5-13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. It features an exciting hybrid lineup of in-person programming, and virtual programming for audiences at home in Southern California and beyond. To learn more, visit festival.vcmedia.org/2022

“In our 38th edition, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival continues to transform itself to reflect our ever-evolving artists and experiences,” says Executive Director Francis Cullado. “In a time when our community is dealing straight up with anti-Asian Hate crimes, living through an uncertain pandemic, and adjusting to the ongoing global issues affecting all of us, our festival is instilling a sense of pride, respect and community through art and film. These stories connect us to one another and fill our lives with a sense of purpose. This year, we share a renewed collectiveness to inspire creativity and support collaboration, and the opportunity to gather and celebrate our histories and our lives from all corners of the world.”

THE LAAPFF LEGACY AWARD TO MIRA NAIR

This year, the festival uplifts director Mira Nair as a pioneer whose storytelling has received industry and critical acclaim, and raised visibility for South Asian narratives. LAAPFF is delighted to present this year’s LAAPFF Legacy Award to director Mira Nair for the way her nuanced narratives reflect an authentic family voice and prompt critical reflection. LAAPFF audiences can watch a Special Presentation of Nair’s award-winning feature SALAAM BOMBAY! on the big screen. Additionally, virtual audiences at home can watch an artist conversation with Nair.

FILM LINEUP: FILMS OF INDIA, FILMMAKERS OF INDIAN ORIGIN

Several narrative, documentary and short films of India or by filmmakers of Indian origin are featured in the Festival:

SALAAM BOMBAY!

DIR: Mira Nair l India l Drama l Hindi, English l 1988 l 1h 53m l Special Presentation Premiere

After destroying his older brother’s motorbike in retaliation for his constant bullying, 11-year-old Krishna (Shafiq Syed) is sent to a traveling circus to earn money to pay for the bike’s repairs, but soon winds up in the streets of Bombay’s poorest slums. There, he befriends the drug dealer Chillum (Raghubir Yadav) and the beautiful young prostitute Sola Saal (Chanda Sharma), while trying to make enough money at a neighborhood tea stall to repay his debt to his family.

Stay The Night

DIR: Renuka Jeyapalan l Narr Feat l Canada l Drama, Romance l English l Subtitled l 2022 l 1h 34m l West Coast Premiere

After being snubbed from a promotion she was wishing for, Grace joins her friend for a night out. Although the night clubs are not her usual scene, she meets Carter, a famous NHL player with his own personal baggage. Together, they roam the streets of Toronto in the hopes of finding a panacea for their lost souls. Kim’s Convenience Store star Andrea Bang reunites with director Renuka Jeyapalan in this lighthearted drama that takes us through the awkward moments of modern day romance – moments that can make many of us laugh or cry.

Istikhaara, New York

DIR: Yasir Masood l USA l Narr Feat l Coming of Age, Drama l English, Hindi, Urdu l 2022 l 1h 26m l World Premiere

Reza, a twenty-year-old aspiring Broadway actor and a food delivery courier hustles to make ends meet. Navigating through the complicated relationships with his worried parents, undecided lovers, and motley crew, he struggles to find peace within himself while facing the reality of daily life in New York.

Holy Cowboys

DIR: Varun Chopra l India, USA l Coming of Age, Doc, Social Issues l Gujarati, Hindi l Subtitled l 2021 l 24m

A Hindu teen and his friends tread the world of retributive justice of a ‘cow protection’ vigilante group to end consumption of beef, exploring what it means to be a savior of the holy cow in modern day India.

The Return

DIR: Hena Ashraf l India, USA l Drama, Family, LGBTQIA+, Social Issues l

English, Urdu l Subtitled l 2021 l 18m

A writer-director struggles with her profound sense of loss after the sudden death of her father, who dies while visiting his homeland of India. Hena wrestles with coming to terms with their strained relationship, by the only way she knows how: making a film.

Subscribe / Follow

DIR: Faroukh Virani l USA l Comedy, Drama, Human Rights, Social Issues l English l 2022 l 15m l World Premiere

After the unfortunate murder of an unarmed Black man by the police, an Indian social media influencer code switches up his online platform to present solidarity, but gets challenged by his peers when they find faults in his messaging.

Crossroads

DIR: Sarita Khurana l USA l Doc l Family, Human Rights l English, Hindi, Punjabi l 2022 l 14m l World Premiere

In the aftermath of the FedEx mass shooting in Indianapolis, the Sikh community grieves the loss of four of its members, while navigating the investigation into what happened and why this took place.

Ramkali

DIR: Adnan Hussain l India, Pakistan, USA l Adventure, Arthouse, Drama, Environmental, Family, Fantasy l Sindhi l Subtitled l 2021 l 12m l

North American Premiere

Bijal, a former goat herder with mystical musical abilities wanders the deserts of Sindh, in search of purpose after suffering a severe trauma. Based on Islamic Sufi poetry, Rajasthani puppetry and Sindhi music, the story brings rich cultural traditions to cinematic form.

Local Middle Schooler

DIR: Sanjna Bharadwaj l USA l Animation, Comedy, Coming of Age, Women l English l 2021 l 11m l West Coast Premiere

Anagha Narayan is your average eighth grader. She’s a people pleaser, she’s insecure, and she wants nothing more than to have clear skin. Her life changes drastically when she wishes on a fallen eyelash and her wish is granted: she has the clearest skin she’s ever had.

Man Brows

DIR: Rohan Srinivasan l USA l Coming of Age, Drama, Family, LGBTQIA+ l English l 2021 l 9m l LA Premiere

A story about mothers, sons, and undying love, MAN BROWS follows RISHI, an Indian-American teenage boy who desperately wants to get his eyebrows threaded and KAJAL, a threading salon owner who despises that her young son has developed a fascination with wearing her clothes.

Today Is Wednesday

DIR: Pulkit Datta l USA l Doc, Human Rights, Social Issues l English l Subtitled l 2022 l 8m l World Premiere

Made entirely of crowdsourced footage, this is a day in the life of several Asian Americans at home during the Covid-19 lockdowns. An exploration of the mundane.

To The Letter

DIR: Nirav Bhakta l USA l Action, Drama, Fantasy, Social Issues l English, Hindi l 2021 l 5m

To The Letter The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible. The program spans six counties in Southern California.

A New Normal

DIR: Asavari Kumar l India, USA l Family, International l English l 2020 l 3m

Subverting the limitations of digital intimacy, A New Normal seeks to define the meaning of home and belonging through the musings of a family spread across different timezones.

COMPLETE FILM LINEUP

For the complete film schedule, including Opening Night Selection, Centerpiece Weekend, and Special Presentations & Events, visit festival.vcmedia.org/2022/schedule, #LAAPFF2022

TICKETS

For Tickets, visit laapff2022.eventive.org

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Cuisine, Health & Wellness and Spirituality)