Asian Pop-Up Cinema: Season 15

By   |  Aug 24, 2022

Asian Pop-Up Cinema, Chicago’s semi-annual Asian film festival, is returning for its 15th Season. Running from September 10 – November 6, the festival will highlight the best animation from Asia with a diverse lineup of films from China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Additionally announced is Jennifer Yu (余香凝) as the recipient of the festival’s Bright Star Award, who will come to Chicago especially for the award ceremony.

Season 15 kicks off with a pre-festival film event screening of Wei Junzi’s documentary ‘Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!’ (龙虎武师), a behind-the-scenes look at Hong Kong action cinema and the contributions from martial artists. The film highlights the dedication of stuntmen, from prominent seniors to newcomers, throughout the profession’s 70-year history. (Saturday, August 27, 2:30 PM at AMC River East 21). Tickets are General Admission ($8/Adults with discounts for seniors & students); on sale here.


Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No!

Opening film, ‘I Am What I Am’ (雄狮少年) is a lively action comedy telling the story of three bullied teenagers who unexpectedly find their drive, joy and passion in a lion dance group. Regarded as a breakthrough for Chinese animation, director Sun Hai-Peng’s delightful indie film strays from the popular fantasy genre and centres on the ordinary, modern realism in present-day China. (Saturday, September 10, 2:00 PM at Claudia Cassidy Theatre inside the Chicago Cultural Center; Free Admission).

Centrepiece film ‘Chun Tae-il: A Flame That Lives On’ (태일이), directed by Hong Pyo-Jun, is the story of a young tailor and activist whose actions ignited the labour movement in mid-20th Century South Korea. Through emotionally charged animation, the film honours a man who became a beacon of light and a symbol of hope for worker’s rights (Sunday, October 2, 2:30 PM at AMC Niles 12, Free Admission).


I Am What I Am

Closing film ‘Septet: The Story Of Hong Kong’ (七人乐队) tells seven short stories by seven legendary filmmakers, namely Ann Hui, Johnnie To, Patrick Tam, the late Ringo Lam, Sammo Hung, Tsui Hark, and Yuen Woo-Ping. Detailing the history of Hong Kong from the 1940s to the 2000s, these internationally known directors describe each decade with their own unique artistic vision (Sunday, November 6 at AMC New City 14).

Jennifer Yu, from Hong Kong, is a singer and actress best known for her work in ‘Sisterhood’, ‘Distinction’ and ‘Men on the Dragon’, where she won “Best New Actor” at the Macau International Film Festival & Awards; and received multiple nominations from the Hong Kong Film Critic Society Awards & the Hong Kong Film Awards.


Pretty Heart

‘Pretty Heart’ (心裏美) from first-time director Terry Ng, tells an endearing story of love, family and the complications of a government-funded school. The film features Bright Star Award recipient Yu in her best performance to date as an underappreciated English teacher who is estranged from her father. Special guest Yu will receive her award in-person on November 6 before the screening of ‘Pretty Heart’ at AMC New City 14.

Season 15 will feature new Asian movies that will pop up in downtown Chicago and the north suburbs, including Niles and Wilmette. The festivals presentations in theatres during the weekends will feature films by region: China (September 10-16), Japan (September 17 – 23), South Korea (September 24 – October 2), Taiwan (October 22-23) and Hong Kong (October 29 – November 6).

For full details on all of the films being screened and to get tickets, visit asianpopupcinema.org.

Phil Mills
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