Nov 12-16 - Gangsters, Fairy Tale Killers and More at Reel Asian 2008!

THE 12TH ANNUAL TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 12 to 16, 2008

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival celebrates its 12th year as Canada’s longest running showcase of contemporary cinema by East and Southeast Asian moviemakers from around the world, including Canada! The festival is an eagerly anticipated annual event that attracts thousands of attendees to five frenetic days of screenings, industry panels, workshops, receptions and galas.

For full festival information visit: www.reelasian.com or call 416.703.9333
Tickets & passes are now on sale online for this year's Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival!

Highlights Include:

CinemAsia (pre-festival on Tue Nov 11 at 6:30pm and 2:30pm on Fri Nov 14)
Reel Asian joins forces with the Munk Centre's Asian Institute for a retrospective on Japanese cult director Sabu (DANGAN RUNNER, UNLUCKY MONKEY and who also starred in Takeshi Miike's ICHI THE KILLER) including screenings, talks and a reception.

Tue Nov 11, 6:30 PM - CinemAsia Gala: MONDAY
MONDAY
Koichi Takagi has lost his memory and must unravel a series of bizarre events from the past few nights. This astute social satire by Japanese director SABU is part of a retrospective focus in collaboration with the Asian Institute. Innis Town Hall - 2 Sussex Avenue

WED NOV 12, 7:00 PM - Reel Asian Opening Night Gala
THE DRUMMER
Come celebrate the Opening Night of the 12th Annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival! The rebellious son of a Hong Kong gangster is cast away to the mountains of Taiwan and discovers enlightenment through the mesmerizing power of Zen drummers. Starring Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie. Special appearance by director of The Drummer, Kenneth Bi! Bloor Cinema - 506 Bloor Street West - $20GA

THURS NOV 13, 9:30 PM - Korean Fairy Tale Horror!!!
HANSEL AND GRETEL

I've got three words for you: Korean. Fairy. Tale. A horror adaptation of the Brothers Grimms’ timeless fable HANSEL AND GRETEL uses the fantastical palette of children’s storybooks to unearth deep psychological underpinnings of our darkest fears… Innis Town Hall - 2 Sussex Avenue

THURS NOV 13, 6:00-8:00 PM - HONG KONG, 100 YEARS OF FILMS: A PANEL ON THE CENTENNIAL
For two decades since the 1980s, Hong Kong filmmakers have faced severe challenges in the cinema marketplace. They have also achieved ever-wider international critical recognition. This panel of critics, archivist-historians and film programmers will discuss the past and prospects of Hong Kong cinema -- 100 years after they started. Munk Centre, Rm 208N

FRI NOV 14, 2:30 PM - CinemAsia presents: THE BLESSING BELL
THE BLESSING BELL
When laid-off unexpectedly, one labourer takes off in the opposite direction. This award-winning film follows its mesmerizing protagonist, Susumu Terajima, as he wanders away from his mundane existence in a deadpan trance of exquisite subtlety. Innis Town Hall - 2 Sussex Avenue

FRI NOV 14, 10:30 PM - "Disquieting: Late Night Shorts"
Tales of twisted desperation from the Philippine slums…a surreal car ride through the Taiwanese countryside…a lesson in morality from Canada's backwoods…plus two other shorts traversing dark territories with the most beautiful cinematography. Innis Town Hall - 2 Sussex Avenue

SAT NOV 15, 10:30 PM - "Confessional: Late Night Shorts"
Kitten pornstars, neon kimonos, insane patients in orange jumpsuits, and…how to learn English? Two lovers run out of gasoline, but realize they don't really need to go to the station to fill up. Ohhhh yeah, that's good. Innis Town Hall - 2 Sussex Avenue

SUN NOV 16, 8:30 PM - Closing Night Gala - Adrift In Tokyo
ADRIFT IN TOKYO
Don't miss our Sunday night send-off that had audiences at Fantasia cheering. Our Closing Night Gala promises to leave you tickled until next year! Touching, funny, outrageous yet grounded in humanity, Adrift in Tokyo is the ultimate road movie. A wild-haired loser named Takemura and a tough debt collector take a walk through the ever-changing landscape of Tokyo. Bloor Cinema | 506 Bloor Street West | $15GA

For full festival information visit: www.reelasian.com or call 416.703.9333
Tickets & passes are now on sale online for this year's Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival!