CHICAGO, IL – (August 28, 2023) Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) announces its upcoming Season 17 lineup, running between September 8 and October 7 in Chicago. For the first time, this year's programming will include film selections from Mongolia, Iran and Afghanistan, along with entries from Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and more. This season's special guests attending with their films include Amarsaikhan Baljinnyham, Ben Yuen, Dornaz Hajiha, Lawrence Kan, Lee Won Suk, Ng Siu Hin, Park Dong-Hee, Rachel Leung, Roya Sadat and Wong You Nam. South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun will be APUC's Excellent Achievement in Film Award recipient and will receive his award before the feature presentation of closing night film KILLING ROMANCE.
APUC's Season 17 opens with a screening of director Masayuki Suzuki's YUDO, following architect Shiro Miura's (Toma Ikuta) attempts to modernize his outdated public bathhouse family business. As he immerses himself in the new role, Shiro connects with customers and begins to understand the happiness and democratizing power the place offers. (Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM)
September 16-17 features APUC's spectacular Hong Kong Cinema Showcase which includes two World Premieres, one International Premiere and two Midwest Premieres.
On Saturday September 16, 2:15 PM the Showcase's lead film READY O/R ROT is a sequel to our Season 15 closing night film Ready O/R Not. Ready O/R Rot is a dark comedy that follows the relationships of three couples facing pregnancy, wedding planning, unfaithfulness and other challenges. At 5:00 PM IN BROAD DAYLIGHT follows an investigative report into abuse at a care home for the disabled. After the film, director Lawrence Kan and actress Rachel Leung will be on hand for a Q&A session with the audience. At 8:00 PM an Awards Ceremony will be held honoring Pinnacle Career Achievement Awardee Ben Yuen, and two Bright Star Awardees Ng Siu Hin and Rachel Leung immediately followed by the screening of STAND UP STORY, a heartwarming father-son story featuring an intellectual disabled father and his son, who is trying to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian while taking care of his father.
Japanese programming highlights include THE DRY SPELL, which follows a municipal water employee who is torn between duty and conscience. Director Masaya Takahashi spent a decade developing the film based on the novel of the same name, in which Iwakiri (Toma Ikuta) must enforce water restrictions on financially struggling households. (North American Premiere, (Saturday, September 9, 2:00 PM). The U.S. Premiere INSOMNIACS AFTER SCHOOL, directed by Chihiro Ikeda tells the story of a pair of high school students who bond over their shared struggle to get a good night's sleep. The coming-of-age story is based on Makoto Ojiro's acclaimed manga. (Saturday, September 9, 7:00 PM)
On Sunday September 17, OVER MY DEAD BODY is best described as a “whacky comedy” about Hong Kong apartment homeowners who find a corpse on their doorstep. (2:30 PM). Actor Wong You Nam will attend a Q&A following the screening. Wrapping up the 5-films weekend at 5:30 PM Bright Star Award recipient Rachel Leung will introduce the World Premiere WISH COME TRUE, a hopeful drama about a young girl who discovers a wish-granting machine and forms an unlikely friendship with a sick man.
On Saturday September 23, 2:00 PM, APUC's Centerpiece film HARVEST MOON will be attended by Mongolian actor Amarsaikhan Baljinnyham. Also, an award-winning screenwriter, this is Baljinnyham's debut feature as a director. This visually beautiful film, adapted from a short novel by T. Bum-Erden, is a father-son story following a city chef who must fulfill the harvest obligations in his village after his father dies. Baljinnyham will be recognized as a Pinnacle Career Achievement Honoree for his work in over 20 films, including the Netflix original series Marco Polo.
On same day, at 5:30 PM, Illinois Premiere A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT (Afghanistan) by director Roya Sadat, follows a public official who is arrested and put on death row for defending a young woman accused of adultery. Filmed entirely in Afghanistan despite “constant security threats,” the film was selected as the Afghan entry for Best Foreign Language film at the 90th Academy Awards. At 7:30 PM U.S. Premiere and Winner of Best Film and Best Performance at the 2023 Transylvania Film Festival LIKE A FISH ON THE MOON (Iran) follows two parents search for answers when their four-year-old son stops speaking. This film is Dornaz Hajiha's directorial debut. Both directors are scheduled to attend for the introduction and the Q&A after their films.
Our closing weekend features the U.S. Premiere of horror-comedy NEW NORMAL, writer-director Jung Bum-Shik, best known for Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, takes viewers to a social media-obsessed, post-pandemic Seoul to tell six interconnected stories of love and murder. (Friday, October 6, 7:00 PM). South Korean independent filmmaker Park Dong-hee will present the new thriller DRIVE, about an internet influencer whose online followers believe she has staged a kidnapping to go viral. (Saturday, October 7, 2:30 PM)
At 7:15 PM, Parasite actor Lee Sun-Kyun will be honored with Asian Pop-Up Cinema's second-ever Excellent Achievement in Film Award for his two decades of work on stage and screen. Known for his notable performances in Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award-winning Parasite (2019) – the first foreign language film to win an Oscar for Best Picture- and box office hits Helpless (2011) and All About My Wife (2012), Lee has portrayed a wide range of characters in his career. Along with memorable roles on South Korean television series Coffee Prince (2007), Pasta (2010) and My Mister (2018), Lee has acted in three films directed by Hong Sang-soo, including Night and Day (2008). His most recent films Sleep and Project Silence were screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Called “a visual delicacy with tremendous performances” by Rotten Tomatoes, closing night film KILLING ROMANCE follows an actress who retires and marries a rich man for a new life, only to find out she is nothing but a doll to her husband, leading her to try escaping to retrieve her good old days. Both director Lee Won Suk and lead actor Lee Sun-Kyun will introduce the film and do the Q&A after the film.
“We are thrilled with the caliber of this season's guests led by South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun, best known for his role in the award-winning film PARASITE. Through the lenses of this season's diversified filmmakers we are presenting a broad spectrum of films that are relevant and entertaining!” – Sophia Wong Boccio, Founder & Executive Director
All films will be screened at AMC New City 14, with the exceptions of Chinese films presented in conjunction with and to celebrate Asia's Mid-Autumn Festival. RIPPLES OF LIFE, follows a big star who brings a film crew to her remote hometown for a shoot, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME, a rare film about journalistic integrity in China, will be shown back to back at the Illinois Institute of Technology in collaboration with their Office of Community Affairs (Saturday September 30, 2:00 PM & 4:30 PM) HACHIKO, starring Feng Xiao Gang and Joan Chen, a Chinese modern take of a 1925 Japanese film Hachiko, will be shown at the Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater and is co-hosted with DCASE/Chicago Film Office. (Sunday October 1, 2:30 PM) Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Chicago will be providing traditional Mid-Autumn Festival sweets to attendees of these screenings.
ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA – SEASON 17 Full Schedule and Film Details
JAPAN CINEMA SHOWCASE
AMC NEWCITY 14
(1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610)
OPENING NIGHT FILM
YUDO – 湯道 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM
(Masayuki Suzuki, 2022) Comedy/Drama
HOARDER ON THE BORDER – 断捨離パラダイス – SPECIAL ENCORE
Friday, September 8, 9:30 PM
(Takayuki Kayano, 2023) Drama/Comedy
THE DRY SPELL – 渇水– N. AMERICAN PREMIERE
Saturday, September 9, 2:00 PM
(Masaya Takahashi, 2023) Drama
REMEMBERING EVERY NIGHT – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, September 9, 4:00 PM
(Yui Kiyohara, 2022) Drama
INSOMNIACS AFTER SCHOOL – 君は放課後インソムニア- U.S. PREMIERE
Saturday, September 9, 7:00 PM
(Chihiro Ikeda, 2023) Drama/Family/Romance
COME & GO – カム・アンド・ゴー – SPECIAL ENCORE
September 8 – 15, 2023 Streaming available for U.S. views at:
https://comeandgo.eventbrite.com
(Kah Wai Lim, 2020) Drama/Comedy
HONG KONG CINEMA SHOWCASE
AMC NEWCITY 14 (1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610)
READY O/R ROT – 不日成婚2 – WORLD PREMIERE
Saturday, September 16, 2:15 PM
(Anselm Chan, 2023) Dark Comedy
Actress Rachel Leung is scheduled to do the introduction of the film.
IN BROAD DAYLIGHT – 白日之下 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, September 16, 5:00 PM
(Lawrence Kan, 2023) Drama
Director Lawrence Kan and Actress Rachel Leung are scheduled to attend to do the introduction of the film and Q&A after.
STAND UP STORY – 說笑之人 – INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Saturday, September 16, 8:00 PM
(Au Cheuk Man, 2023) Drama
Pinnacle Career Achievement honoree Ben Yuen, and two Bright Star Award recipients Ng Siu Hin and Rachel Leung (IN BROAD DAYLIGHT) are scheduled to attend the award ceremony before the film and Q&A after.
OVER MY DEAD BODY – 死屍死時四十四 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Sunday, September 17, 2:30 PM
(Ho Cheuk Tin, 2023) Comedy
WISH COMES TRUE – 把幸福拉近一點 – WORLD PREMIERE
Sunday, September 17, 5:30 PM
(Ling Chi-Man, 2023) Drama
Hong Kong | Drama | 2023 | 94 minutes
CENTERPIECE
AMC NEWCITY 14
(1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610)
HARVEST MOON – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, September 23, 2:00 PM
(Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam, 2023) Drama (Mongolia)
Pinnacle Career Achievement honoree Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam is scheduled to attend the award ceremony before the film and Q&A after.
A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT – ILLINOIS PREMIERE
Saturday, September 23, 5:30 PM
(Roya Sadat, 2017) Drama (Afghanistan)
Director Roya Sadat is scheduled to attend for the introduction before the film and the Q&A after.
LIKE A FISH ON THE MOON – U.S. PREMIERE
Saturday, September 23, 7:30 PM
(Dornaz Hajiha, 2022) Drama (Iran)
Director Dornaz Hajiha is scheduled to attend for the introduction before the film and the Q&A after.
CHINESE CINEMA SHOWCASE
Illinois Institute of Technology
(10 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616) Admission Free. RSVP is required.
RIPPLES OF LIFE – 永安镇故事集 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, September 30, 2:00 PM
(Wei Shujun, 2021) Drama
THE BEST IS YET TO COME – 不止不休 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, September 30, 4:30 PM
(Wang Jing, 2020) Drama
HACHIKO – 忠犬八公 – SPECIAL ENCORE
Sunday, October 1, 2:30 PM at Claudia Cassidy Theatre
(78 E. Washington St. Chicago, IL 60602) Admission Free. RSVP is required.
(Ang Xu, 2023) Drama/Family (China)
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, all the attendees will receive an individually wrapped moon cake after the screening, courtesy of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago.
SEVEN DAYS IN HEAVEN – 父后七日 – SPECIAL ENCORE
September 25 – October 1, 2023 Streaming available for U.S. views at:
https://seven-days-in-heaven.eventbrite.com
(Essay Liu, Yu-lin Wang, 2010) Drama/Family (Taiwan
SOUTH KOREA CINEMA SHOWCASE
AMC NEWCITY 14
(1500 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610)
NEW NORMAL– 뉴 노멀 – U.S. PREMIERE
Friday, October 6, 7:00 PM
(Jung Bum-Shik, 2023) Horror/Comedy
THE CHILDE – 귀공자 – SPECIAL ENCORE
Friday, October 6, 9:15 PM
(Park Hoon-Jung, 2023) Action/Thriller
DRIVE – 드라이브 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, October 7, 2:30 PM
(Park Dong-hee, 2023) Thriller
Director Park Dong-Hee is scheduled to attend and introduce the film and do the Q&A after.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
KILLING ROMANCE – 킬링 로맨스 – MIDWEST PREMIERE
Saturday, October 7, 7:15 PM
(Lee Won Suk, 2023) Comedy
Lead actor Lee Sun-Kyun is scheduled to attend for the award ceremony and together with director Lee Won Suk, they are doing the INTRO and the Q&A of the film.
The star-studded CLOSING NIGHT GALA for October 7 tickets are $50.00/person. The ticket will include VIP (reserved seat) admission to attend the closing night film & award ceremony (7:15 PM), plus the Red Carpet Reception. (5:30 – 7:00 PM) held at the MacGuffins Lounge & Bar at AMC NEWCITY 14.
Tickets for Asian Pop-Up Cinema – Season 17
Films Only Tickets are $3.00 to $25.00 (general admission) with discounts for seniors (62yrs+) and students.
20% OFF PASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR “JAPAN CINEMA”, “HONG KONG CINEMA” AND “SOUTH KOREAN CINEMA”
Rush tickets at the door are available at $20.00 (cash only) no rush tickets for closing night film (KILLING ROMANCE) or reception.
RSVP is required for all the FREE screenings. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtimes.
To buy tickets or reserve your free tickets, please go to: http://bit.ly/APUCS17
APUC 17 Virtual: $3.00 – $5.00 Per Rental (Watch the films within 48 hours after unlocking the film.)
OR scan the QR Code to purchase tickets
Public Safety is our priority. Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) follows area mandates and meets or exceeds CDC guidelines. Please refer to various venues' most updated COVID-19 guideline before attending the actual event.
All tickets sales are final, non-exchangeable or non-refundable. All programs are subject to change. In order to receive up-to-date screening information, please subscribe at asianpopupcinema.org/subscribe to receive our weekly e-newsletters.
ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA SEASON 17 MAIN SPONSORS
Asian Pop-Up Cinema's semi-annual film festival is partially supported by a two-year CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; and continuing support by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York, Korean Film Center, Choose Chicago, Chicago Film Office, Illinois Humanities, with funds from the State of Illinois American Rescue Plan Act, ADG Group, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, and the Japan Information Center.
ABOUT SOPHIA'S CHOICE / ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
Asian Pop-Up Cinema, a semi-annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia's Choice, a Chicago-based 501 C (3) not-for-profit incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.
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