AT RUSH & NEAR RUSH SHOWS
Last-minute tickets — rush tickets — may be available just before showtime when advance tickets have sold out. A rush line will form outside the venue usually one hour before showtime. Approximately ten minutes prior to screening, empty seats are counted and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis to those in line. Rush tickets will only be sold to those actually waiting in line. The following films are either “At Rush” or soon to be “At Rush.” For additional screenings of “At Rush” films, please refer to the individual film pages.
May 11, 2018
Jimami Tofu
Love, food, and a deep connection to place are the savory bites in Ryan’s life. After the disappearance of his wife Yuki, he sets out to find her in her hometown in Okinawa, where he discovers flavors beyond his imagination at her father’s restaurant.
Fiction and Other Realities
Singer-songwriter Big Phony makes his directorial debut with this intimate, semi-biographical musical drama. Bobby, a struggling Korean American singer-songwriter, is suddenly given an opportunity to be a roadie for his best friend’s band on a world tour. Arriving in Seoul, a “land where everyone looks like him,” he ditches the band and searches for meaning in his life.
ULAM: Main Dish
Could it be that Filipino food, the underdog of Asian cuisines, is having its moment at last? In ULAM (main dish in tagalog), Filipino American filmmaker Alexandra Cuerdo tries to answer this question and follows the rise of Filipino food through the experiences of award-winning chefs attempting to move the cuisine to the center of the American table.
7:45 pm
ALTERED STATES
Don’t panic, it’s just a movie … right? The collection of heart-pulsing shorts in ALTERED STATES will be sure to keep you up all night long. From sci-fi to horror to what lurks in between, these filmmakers take genre storytelling to the next level, one fright at a time.
10:00 pm
May 12, 2018
Jimami Tofu
Love, food, and a deep connection to place are the savory bites in Ryan’s life. After the disappearance of his wife Yuki, he sets out to find her in her hometown in Okinawa, where he discovers flavors beyond his imagination at her father’s restaurant.
Eat a Bowl of Tea
On the cusp of its 30th anniversary, master filmmaker Wayne Wang’s EAT A BOWL OF TEA continues to charm audiences with humor and soul. In this rare director’s cut, Wang’s landmark Asian American feature explores the harsh realities of Chinese immigrants in the 1940s and reminds us of the pioneers and everyday heroes who paved the way for newer generations.
2:30 pm
Episodics
A trio of sharp, hilarious and painfully relevant series from creators Chelsea Chang, Douglas Kim and Susane Lee capture everyday moments overflowing with energy, humor and heart. Diverse, polished performances inject fresh talent and ideas while elevating the entire program to new heights. Binge watching never felt so good!
4:30 pm
Nailed It
In 1975, 20 Vietnamese refugee women created a multibillion dollar industry that supports their community to this day. NAILED IT is a captivating exploration of the genesis of how a nail salon ended up in every strip mall – and the survival of a community.
Bitter Melon
BITTER MELON is a tragicomedy from San Francisco filmmaker H.P. Mendoza that follows a family’s attempts to right their wrongs, resulting in the discovery of many unsavory truths. The dark, quirky revenge comedy turns into an exercise in empathy and exploration of family cycles. This is the film's world premiere.
The People's Republic of Desire
Login to a digital universe where hundreds of millions seek social connection and economic success. Follow three Chinese live streamers whose virtual currency of persona and talents can earn them six figures every month, as long as they maintain likes, tips, gifts, and worship from their fellow, plugged-in population.
Disoriented Comedy Show
Who’s ready to laugh? The DISORIENTED COMEDY team: Jenny Yang, D’Lo, and Atsuko Okatsuka are at CAAMFest and taking over Japantown in a not-to-be missed comedy show. This first-ever (mostly) female, Asian American stand-up comedy troupe has performed more than 70 shows since 2012 and will headline CAAMFest’s Saturday night festivities.
Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story
More than a story of baseball, LATE LIFE: THE CHIEN-MING WANG STORY follows the inspiring perseverance of pitcher Chien-Ming Wang as he faces a career-threatening injury and tries to work his way back to Major League Baseball. The heartbreaking yet heartwarming documentary transcends sports by exploring the unconditional support of Wang’s family, friends, and fans around the world.
May 13, 2018
Go For Broke: An Origin Story
Before the 442nd and 100th infantry became two of the most decorated military units in history, the young Japanese American men faced jarring discrimination at home. GO FOR BROKE: AN ORIGIN STORY provides insight into the inspiring lives of the men who fought to prove themselves to their country.
May 14, 2018
CAAMFeast: A Conversation with Pei-Pei Cheng
Join the “Queen of Swords,” actress and martial arts legend Pei-Pei Cheng, in an intimate on-stage conversation at China Live. Dine on a selection of delectable bites and inspired refreshments from executive chef George Chen as we celebrate the career of our CAAMFest Spotlight honoree.
7:00 pm
May 15, 2018
Meditation Park
When Maria finds out her husband has been having an affair, she breaks out of her shell, making friends with the local park ladies and silent disco dancing on the grass. MEDITATION PARK, is a light-hearted film filled with humor, self-love, and liberation, starring the legendary Pei-Pei Cheng (CAAMFest 2018’s Spotlight Honoree), Sandra Oh, and Tzi Ma.
6:00 pm
May 16, 2018
WOMEN ON THE RISE: SOUTH KOREAN CINEMA
Women filmmakers are not just on the rise in Hollywood, they’re changing the cinema landscape all around the globe. Join us as we celebrate three emerging filmmakers who are bringing bold new stories to the big screen and watch a refreshing take on South Korea cinema.
6:30 pm
She, Who Can See
SHE, WHO CAN SEE, a riveting new dance film by acclaimed choreographer and stage director Alleluia Panis is at the core of this uniquely San Francisco event. Part film screening and part live performance, this one of a kind program is a love letter to the vibrant, Bay Area Filipino American community and culture.
7:00 pm
May 19, 2018
Bitter Melon
BITTER MELON is a tragicomedy from San Francisco filmmaker H.P. Mendoza that follows a family’s attempts to right their wrongs, resulting in the discovery of many unsavory truths. The dark, quirky revenge comedy turns into an exercise in empathy and exploration of family cycles. This is the film's world premiere.
Lumpia
"The ultimate home movie” is back on the big screen just in time for its 15th anniversary! This wacky, eccentric, and boisterous film shot in Daly City, CA promises a good time and is sure to make you crave lumpias (don’t worry, we have you covered). Followed by the trailer world premiere of LUMPIA 2. Be the first to catch a peek of the upcoming sequel!
9:50 pm
May 20, 2018
Anatomy of a Music Video With Ruby Ibarra
Pinay Rapper Ruby Ibarra makes her directorial debut showing how she orchestrated an ambitious vision for her music video of “Us,” working through logistical nightmares and corralling a crowdsourced all-Pinay cast of 200 to create a multi-dimensional narrative. This documentary showcases the song’s global tropes of resistance and solidarity, serving as a Pinay anthem for women to continue rising.
3:40 pm
First Kitchen: Bloodline with Chef Tu David Phu
A sneak-preview of BLOODLINE, directed by CAAMFest alumnus James Q. Chan and featuring chef Tu David Phu (Top Chef 15 and SF Chronicle Rising Star 2017). This vibrant, personal film about food, family and creativity is the premiere episode of the new documentary food series, FIRST KITCHEN. Join us for this special launch-event featuring a film screening and specially crafted selection of appetizers (“street bites") curated by Phu and our host venue Black Cat, as well as an opportunity to meet director Chan, series creator and executive producer Santhosh Daniel, and Phu (who also co-executive producer of the series). Ticket holders will receive a discount to Black Cat’s live jazz performance immediately following the FIRST KITCHEN event—check the Black Cat calendar for artist details (blackcatsf.com)!
5:00 pm
May 23, 2018
Bitter Melon
BITTER MELON is a tragicomedy from San Francisco filmmaker H.P. Mendoza that follows a family’s attempts to right their wrongs, resulting in the discovery of many unsavory truths. The dark, quirky revenge comedy turns into an exercise in empathy and exploration of family cycles. This is the film's world premiere.
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