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Shows At Rush

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.

 

 

Thursday May 9


CHINATOWN RISING

CHINATOWN RISING, directed by Bay Area natives Harry and Josh Chuck, is a love letter to San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. Weaving together never-before-seen archival footage and photographs, the film chronicles key Chinatown community leaders who started an activist movement during 1960s, and foregrounds today’s battles for social justice and equality.

Friday May 10


MS. PURPLE

On the heels of the Sundance 2019 premiere, writer/director Justin Chon (GOOK, CAAMFest 2017) brings his visionary storytelling to the next level with this emotional love letter to Los Angeles - and the people who fight everyday to survive. In a breakout performance by actress Tiffany Chu, Kasie struggles to make a living and be the primary caretaker for her father.

Saturday May 11


FLIP THE SCRIPT SHORTS

From Daly City to the Philippines, this vibrant collection of films celebrates the fearless creativity and dis- tinct voice of the Filipino and Filipino American communities. Whimsey and imagination connect these diverse stories that delve into topics from 90’s hip-hop to fusion lumpias to families disrupted by culture and distance.

YELLOW ROSE

Rose Garcia was born to be a star. She’s an aspiring country singer in the heart of Texas when a life-changing event forces her on an unexpected journey flush with love, loss, and music. Deftly directed by Diane Paragas, in her feature film debut, starring Broadway icon Lea Salonga and rising Broadway star Eva Noblezada in a breakout role, YELLOW ROSE is a Filipino American musical like no other.

BABYSPLITTERS

BABYSPLITTERS takes the sharing economy to its conceptual extreme - literally. Danny Pudi and Emily Chang undergo hilarious modern family tribulations with their best friends in an attempt to spread the misery and share the love. Can you crowdsource and blockchain babies? Watch this great date movie prospectus before you invest.

140 LBS: HOW BEAUTY KILLED MY MOTHER

Award-winning playwright and activist Susan Lieu brings to light the tragic story of her mother’s unexpected death. Sifting through thousands of deposition pages and reaching out to the killer’s family, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of Vietnamese feminine beauty.

Sunday May 12


140 LBS: HOW BEAUTY KILLED MY MOTHER

Award-winning playwright and activist Susan Lieu brings to light the tragic story of her mother’s unexpected death. Sifting through thousands of deposition pages and reaching out to the killer’s family, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of Vietnamese feminine beauty.

LOOK BACK: JEFF ADACHI

Please join CAAMFest as we honor and celebrate the life of San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, with a tribute to his work as a filmmaker, community activist, and advocate for social justice through his films.

THE MAGPIES OF SEOUL

Dan Lee (from the rock band Scrabbel) premieres a dynamic, new live music performance based on the Korean fairytale, “Chilseok”. This touching story tells the tale of two lovers who get separated and can only see each other one day out of the year, when magpies flock together and build a giant bridge.

WE GON’ BE ALRIGHT

“We Gon’ Be Alright” is a series that explores the new dimensions of racial resegregation in the United States in the 21st century. Inspired by Jeff Chang’s critically acclaimed collection of essays of the same name.

Tuesday May 14


EMPTY BY DESIGN

Two strangers rediscover the Philippines after life abroad, finding both familiarity and detachment in their journeys. As they struggle to fit in and cross cultural barriers, they connect with one another, finding conversation and friend- ship while falling back in love with their home country.

Wednesday May 15


STILL HUMAN

Offering a glimpse of the challenges facing overseas domestic workers in Hong Kong’s projects, Oliver Siu Kuen Chan’s directorial debut dramedy weaves together a tale of social constructs and physical disabilities, as two people from seemingly opposite backgrounds find humanity in each other and themselves as they chase their dreams.

Thursday May 16


BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

From writer/director/producer Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) comes the inspirational drama “Blinded by the Light,” set to the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen’s timeless songs.

CHINATOWN RISING

CHINATOWN RISING, directed by Bay Area natives Harry and Josh Chuck, is a love letter to San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. Weaving together never-before-seen archival footage and photographs, the film chronicles key Chinatown community leaders who started an activist movement during 1960s, and foregrounds today’s battles for social justice and equality.

Friday May 17


LOVE BOAT: TAIWAN

Fearless, inventive and outspoken are a few words to describe CAAMFest37 Spotlight Honoree Valerie Soe. From the 80’s to now, Soe’s films and video installations have been a benchmark for Asian American feminist activism and experimental storytelling. CAAM will proudly showcase Soe's newest documentary, LOVE BOAT: TAIWAN

Saturday May 18


ALTERNATIVE FACTS: THE LIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066

ALTERNATIVE FACTS highlights the racism and political maneuvering behind Executive Order 9066 that led to the World War II incarcerationof Japanese Americans, and it traces the tenac- ity of the decades-long redress movement.Through interviews both measured and defiant,Osaki untangles the intergenerational trauma of the forced internment in this award-winning anddeeply personal film.

SELF EVIDENT: ASIAN AMERICA’S STORIES

Self Evident is a new podcast taking on what it means to be American by telling Asian America’s stories. With host Cathy Erway, the show will tackle today’s tough questions about iden- tity, cultural change and nationhood by presenting reported nar- ratives, community conversations, and personal stories. To kick off Season 1, the Self Evident team is bringing these stories to the stage! Join us for an evening of live storytelling, engaging discus- sion and celebration presented in partnership with CAAM.

LOVE BOAT: TAIWAN

Fearless, inventive and outspoken are a few words to describe CAAMFest37 Spotlight Honoree Valerie Soe. From the 80’s to now, Soe’s films and video installations have been a benchmark for Asian American feminist activism and experimental storytelling. CAAM will proudly showcase Soe's newest documentary, LOVE BOAT: TAIWAN

Sunday May 19


GEOGRAPHIES OF KINSHIP

GEOGRAPHIES OF KINSHIP traces the legacy of war and political upheaval on vulnerable members of a traditionally patriarchal society. The film reveals the history of international adoption, grounded in the powerful stories of Korean adoptees.