Focusing specifically on films from Asia and/or by Asian diaspora directors, the 2020 San Diego Asian Film Festival has assembled one of the most impressive lineups of all the festivals forced to go mainly online this year. The programming ranges from everything from Taiwanese slow-cinema veteran Tsai Ming-Liang’s new feature Days to jack-of-all-trades Hong Kong director Johnnie To’s martial arts romcom Chasing Dream. The prolific Korean director Hong Sang-soo makes an appearance with his latest gently probing comedy, The Woman Who Ran. Chinese master Jia Zhangke’s new documentary Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue completes his trilogy on working artists. Other docs include We Have Boots, on the Hong Kong protests, 76 Days, on China’s measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic at its outbreak, and Assassins, on the killing of Kim Jong-un’s half-brother Kim Jong-nam.
Films in the program previously covered by Hyperallergic include Me and the Cult Leader, A Thousand Cuts, Be Water, and Mekong 2030. Whether you’re looking for arthouse, comedy, or action, this tremendous program has something to delight you.
When: October 23–31
Where: Online
More info at San Diego Asian Film Festival
