Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival: The Working Man, Goh Nakamura, Closing Night

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival just ended and now I’m wondering what to do. Sounds like a good time to share some pictures. Of course, my focus was on my pals from The Working Man enjoying a moment in the spotlight.

I spotted my good friends Tadashi Suzuki (the star) and Wing Ko (co-director) before the shorts program began, and had a good time hanging out with them, saying hi to friends, and looking forward to their artful skate video’s hometown premiere.

I also got to catch up with some of the LAAPFF bosses, Anderson Le (artistic director, above) and Shinae Yoon (executive director, below). They’re two of the coolest, sharpest people around, and have given the film fest some serious energy and upside.

One of the best things about film fests is seeing different universes and friends collide. Below, filmmaker Tad Nakamura (A Song for Ourselves, Jake Shimabukuro) meets Tad Suzuki. Two Tads that rip.

After the screening, I spotted Michael Aki (Daylight Savings, Sunsets) and Eugenia Yuan (Three Extremes 2: Going Home) again. Haven’t seen them in consecutive weeks since I was on the Giant Robot softball team with him.

Chin Yi (below), who helped make the soundtrack of The Working Man, finally got to hear it in a big theater. He got to celebrate with Tad and producer/undercover actress Thy Mai, too.

One of the good things about the fest being held in Korea Town was that there are a ton of places to eat afterward. We had an entire patio to ourselves, and shockingly there was no cigarette smoke or karaoke.

Of course, film festivals have more than movies to offer. Goh Nakamura was in town for Daylight Savings, but also played some shows… We followed him to Little Tokyo.

Eloise was one of the smallest attendees and biggest fans. She survived some slam poetry and shorts to watch his 15-20 minute set in front of the old facade shared by Visual Communications, Art Core, and East West Players.

The closing movie, Joyful Reunion, wasn’t as good as I hoped. Touted as a spiritual successor to Eat Drink Man Woman and featuring a vegetarian restaurant as a principal setting, I really looked forward to seeing it. I enjoyed the calm rhythm and likable characters, but in the end there was not enough food and too much melodrama.

But most importantly, I got to see my friends on the red carpet, say bye to friends until the next festival, and eat a plateful of mochi ice cream. Next stop should be San Diego. The planning begins…