CAAMFest, the largest showcase of Asian American stories from May 13-23, is announcing its opening weekend featuring drive-in screenings at Fort Mason Flix. Opening with two screenings of the timely Lowell High School documentary “Try Harder!” directed by Debbie Lum, the weekend also highlights the diverse Filipino American experience, with two Bay Area premieres: Dante Basco feature film directorial debut “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers” and “Lumpia with a Vengeance” directed by Patricio Ginelsa. The final drive-in program will present the Hong Kong films: a look back screening of Wong Kar-Wai's “Happy Together” and “The Way We Keep Dancing” by Adam Wong.
OPENING NIGHT
TRY HARDER!, directed by Debbie Lum
Thursday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at FORT MASON FLIX
As they prepare for the emotionally draining college application process, students are keenly aware of the intense competition for the few open spots in their dream colleges in this feature-length documentary. At San Francisco's Lowell High School—where cool kids are nerds, nearly everyone has an amazing talent, and the majority of the student body is Asian American—the things that usually make a person stand out can feel not good enough, even commonplace.
FILIPINO AMERICAN SHOWCASE
THE FABULOUS FILIPINO BROTHERS, directed by Dante Basco
Friday, May 14, 6:30 p.m. at FORT MASON FLIX
Dante Basco's feature film directorial debut THE FABULOUS FILIPINO BROTHERS follows four charming brothers from Pittsburg, CA to the Philippines, through four hilarious vignettes leading up to a controversial wedding.
LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE, directed by Patricio Ginelsa
Friday, May 14, 9:15 p.m. at FORT MASON FLIX
The lumpia-armed avenger reappears in Fogtown (aka Daly City) and teams up with high school student Rachel to prevent a crime syndicate from selling drugs masked as food in this crowd-funded action comedy. This is the long awaited sequel LUMPIA and includes a cameo by actor Danny Trejo (star of MACHETE).
CELEBRATION OF HONG KONG CINEMA
HAPPY TOGETHER, directed by Wong Kar-Wai
Saturday, May 15, 6:30 p.m. at FORT MASON FLIX
Cinematic Auteur Wong Kar Wai's emotionally raw, lushly stylized portrait of a relationship in breakdown casts Hong Kong superstars Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung as a couple traveling through Argentina and locked in a turbulent cycle of infatuation and destructive jealousy as they break up, make up, and fall apart again and again.
THE WAY WE KEEP DANCING, directed by Adam Wong
Saturday, May 15, 9:15 p.m. at FORT MASON FLIX
Hong Kong's underground artists have used the warehouses of the Kowloon Industrial District to set up studios, workshops and homes. Finding rent exorbitant and freedom restricted in other parts of the city, creatives like rapper Heyo (Heyo), YouTuber Alan (Babyjohn Choi), and dancer Hana (Cherry Ngan) rub shoulders and make friendships as they pursue their art.
Early Bird Tickets
Early bird ticket sales are available until April 20 only at this page on CAAMedia.org. CAAMFest 2021 opening weekend will be followed by eight more days of virtual and on-demand programming For more information as additional CAAMFest programs are announced, visit CAAMedia.org.
CAAM Membership
Members support CAAM's year‐round programming, including CAAMFest. They receive fantastic benefits, such as complimentary and discounted CAAMFest tickets, and invitations to events throughout the year. The support from members helps forward CAAM's mission to amplify Asian American storytellers and advance a more authentic understanding of the American experience. For more information on membership and upcoming CAAM events, visit CAAMedia.org.
