Besides an impressive array of Canadian filmography, VAFF is also bringing you Asian films from all over the world.
These features showcase a wide variety of Asian experiences backed by talented teams of Asian directors, writers, and actors. While some of these films have received wide recognition and prestigious awards at other international festivals, others will see their North American or Canadian premiere at VAFF.
Trapped Balloon
Trapped Balloon is the first writing credit by director Hioyuki Miyagawa. The Japanese feature is led by star Tōko Miura’s Kojima Rinko, a daughter on a journey to reconnect with her father after several years apart. The film touches on several universal themes, including the importance of forgiveness and healing. Premiering in North America on November 4, 2022, at the 26th Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Click here for tickets and details.
Date: November 4, 2022
Time: 9.30 PM
Where: Cineplex Odeon International Village
My Perfect Roommate
Building off the humorous concept of an older woman and young college student becoming roommates, My Perfect Roommate does not settle for being a warm-hearted comedy. Starring Korean household names like Moon-hee Na, last seen in Netflix’s Navillera, the film goes out of its way to focus on the loneliness of human existence and how it comes at any age and life stage. Catch the Canadian premiere on November 5, 2022, at the 26th Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Tickets can be found here.
Date: November 5, 2022
Time: 7.30 PM
Where: Cineplex Odeon International Village
The Narrow Road
The Narrow Road, currently holding 3 nominations at the Golden Horse Awards, paints a bleakly somber picture of the life of a mother-daughter pair struggling to get by under the pressure of a recession and pandemic. It is the third collaboration between director Sum Lam and writer Fean Chung, who last worked together on the TV mini-short series Where Are We Going in 2017. It premieres in Canada on November 6, 2022, as part of the 26th Vancouver Asian Film Festival. For tickets, visit this page.
Date: November 6, 2022
Time: 5.15 PM
Where: Cineplex Odeon International Village
Demigod: The Legend Begins
Ahead of its BC premiere at the 26th Vancouver Film Festival, Demigod: The Legend Begins has already garnered much well-deserved praise and awards, including Best Animation at the 2022 Taipei Film Awards. The animated film serves as the origin story of a beloved character from an incredibly popular Taiwan series that has been running since the 1980s. The fascinating mythology inside the story is brought to life through the Taiwanese art of bùdàixì glove puppetry. Demigod: The Legend Begins will be screened on November 6, 2022. More information and tickets can be found here.
Date: November 6, 2022
Time: 9.20 PM
Where: Cineplex Odeon International Village
We Don’t Dance for Nothing
Hong Kong director Stefanos Tai’s reason for shooting this feature as a series of photo montages was not simply an artistic one. His intent was for viewers to feel trapped inside the unmoving frozen frames, much like the women in the film itself who feel trapped by their circumstances. This love letter to the Hong Kong Filipina Domestic Workers manages to discuss sexuality, worker’s rights, and Hong Kong’s unique political upheavals all while never losing sight of the gracious yet strong woman at its center. The film is available to view online from November 7 to 13, 2022, exclusively as part of the virtual week of the 26th Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Ticket information can be found here.
Date: November 7-13, 2022
Where: Online at VAFF.ORG
International Shorts Programs
The festival will also be featuring several international short films, part of the virtual programming available to viewers online from November 7 to 13. These programs tackle themes ranging from emotional struggles, family issues, and life challenges, to family, food, culture, and racial equality.
Check out the full list of international shorts programs, with more information available here:
- Daydreamers: International Shorts Spotlight (in-person, November 5 at 9.45pm)
- The Human Condition: International Shorts Program (virtual, Nov 7-13)
- Trials and Tribulations: International Shorts Program (virtual, Nov 7-13)
- Blood Relations: International Shorts Program (virtual, Nov 7-13)
- Together We’re One: International Shorts Program (virtual, Nov 7-13)
- Freedom Fighters: International Shorts Program (virtual, Nov 7-13)
- Strength in Heritage: International Shorts Program (virtual, Nov 7-13)
See you at the festival!