Asian American film directors visit campus

Photo still from the file Strawberry Fields.

Actress Suzy Nakamura plays Irene in the film “Strawberry Fields” to be featured at the Asian American Film Festival.

Four Asian American filmmakers will bring their most recent works to campus March 27-28.

The free screenings, in 4070 Vilas Hall, are open to the public. In addition, filmmakers will be participating in a panel discussion, “Making it as an Independent Filmmaker,” Saturday, March 27, from 4-6 p.m.

The Asian American Film Festival is part of UW–Madison’s Cinematheque series. Here is a line-up of films showing at this year’s Asian American FilmFestival:

Saturday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. “Ancestors In The Americas” (Video, 1998, 124 min.). Director Loni Ding screens the first two parts of her documentary series: “Coolies, Sailors, Settlers” and “Chinese in the Frontier West: An American Story.” Ding also will discuss her “documemoir” approach.
Sunday, March 28, 3:30 p.m. An afternoon of film shorts. Highlights: “Fighting Grandpa” (USA, 1998, 21 min.) Director Greg Pak. A young filmmaker searches for evidence of love between his immigrant Korean grandparents. “Mouse” (USA, 1997, 11 min.). Director Greg Pak. A young man tries to escape a conversation about pregnancy with his girlfriend by chasing a mouse around his apartment. “Hisao” (USA, 1997, 9 min.). Director Masahiro Sugano. An animation documentary depicts the life of a Japanese singer/songwriter who has been seeking his dream in a foreign country for 25 years.
Sunday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. “Strawberry Fields” (USA, 1996, 86 min.).Director Rea Tajiri. Set within the political turmoil of the seventies, award-winning director Rea Tajiri’s debut feature is the story of Irene, a troubled 16-year-old Japanese American girl, who embarks on a journey to discover a family history she doesn’t understand and her parents have denied.

For more information, call 263-2976.