The fourth edition of CinemAsia opened in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Thursday, May 20, 2010. The film festival, which is held every two years, exclusively screens Asian movies or movies with a distinct link to Asia. This year’s fest will also pay special attention to Indonesian cinema, to mark the 65th anniversary of the country’s independence from the Dutch.
CinemAsia opened with Dream Home, a Hong Kong slasher movie directed by Pang Ho-Cheung (You Shoot I Shoot; Men Suddenly in Black) and featuring actress Josie Ho in the lead role.
Actress Josie Ho Gets Blood on Her Hands
Despite its innocent title, Dream Home contains enough slaughter to satisfy even the most rapacious gore hounds. Ho plays Cheng Lai-sheung, a woman born into a traditional Chinese family. Growing up in Hong Kong, where space is tight and property prices astronomical, her dream since childhood has been to own her own home with a view of the sea.
She works two jobs, saves carefully and even knows exactly which house she wants. When that still does not seem to be enough to fulfil her dream, she takes matters into her own hands, quite literally, with bloody effect.
Dream House had its world premiere on April 23, 2010 at Udine Far East Film 12 in Italy, before travelling to the Tribeca Film Festiva l in New York. Last night was its Dutch premiere.
Focus on Indonesian Cinema
On August 17, it will be exactly 65 years since Indonesia declared its independence. To celebrate this anniversary, CinemAsia Film Festival will pay special attention to Indonesian cinema, as well as movies produced in the Indonesian diaspora. Of the 40 movies screened during the ten-day film festival, around 18 make up the Indonesian program.
The selection comprises both new releases, none of which has previously been shown in The Netherlands, and classics from the past. Among the classics is Pagar Kawat Berduri (Barbed Wire Fence), a rare 35mm film from 1961 which, appropriately, tells the story of a group of young Indonesians fighting against the Dutch colonial regime.
The festival will close with director Riri Riza’s Sang Pemimpi (The Dreamer, 2009). This sequel to 2008’s highly successful Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troops), once again follows the young Ikal who, with the help of his friends, sets about realising his dream of going to study in Paris.
Underdog Hero the Theme of 4th Cinemasia
Running alongside CinemAsia’s focus on Indonesian cinema is this year’s other main theme: the Underdog Hero. In a region where traditional values are still strong and the gap between rich and poor is far from being closed, movies selected from across Asia celebrate the underdogs who overcome, against all the odds. Films to look out for include Saigon Love Story, the first Vietnamese musical film shot entirely in Vietnam, and The Burning Season, an award-winning documentary about a young entrepreneur’s carbon trading scheme to counteract rainforest destruction in Indonesia.
CinemAsia Goes on Tour
CinemAsia runs in Amsterdam’s Ketelhuis Cinema until May 30, 2010. Until June 13, 2010 a selection of the festival films will go on tour to other cities in The Netherlands, including The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Nijmegen and Eindhoven.
Cecily Layzell - Cecily Layzell is a food and travel writer and founder of restaurant review site www.eat-amsterdam.com.
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