youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com
Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about! Justin Lin’s FAST FIVE is set to rock the DGA on April 28 as the opening night film for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) produced by Visual Communications (VC).
We at VC are stoked that we were able to get Justin’s third installment of this ongoing successful franchise of “The Fast and Furious” to open up our 10 day festival where we are screening 180 films beginning April 28 – May 7, 2011. Not only is this a first for our Festival to kick off with a major Hollywood action thriller blockbuster, but it’s an opportunity to celebrate one of our own filmmakers who continues to push through in this crazy industry and make films that maintain his own unique style and voice.
Justin has been a part of VC and our Festival family since he was making short films back in his UCLA days. The Fest premiered BETTER LUCK TOMORROW nine historic years ago when that movie changed the way we were perceived and let Hollywood know that we have the talent behind and in front of the camera, while inspiring a new generation of Asian American filmmakers.
And now fast forward to 2011 and Justin is still making Hollywood stand up and take notice. Under Justin’s helm, ‘The Fast and the Furious’ franchise keeps making film history, as he continues to create some of the most ethnically diverse Hollywood blockbusters.
Last year, he and the folks at YOMYOMF pulled it together and created their own showcase and film initiative that would support and inspire Asian Americans to make films, get them seen by industry professionals and keep their distinct voice and perspective. This historic initiative was called INTERPRETATIONS and the result was phenomenal with hundreds of submissions from our own filmmakers being seen by impressive panel of judges which included David Henry Hwang and Oscar® nominated Iris Yamashita. INTERPRETATIONS launched out of our LAAPFF and culminated at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
What continues to impress us all is Justin’s ongoing commitment to making sure that he can help provide opportunities for our filmmakers – something rarely seen here in Hollywood, where many are out for themselves. He tries to do this both with casting and with his film crew. For example, take a look at Justin’s films – even the Hollywood blockbusters – he’s still telling stories with his perspective and vision and on his terms. And even check out the lead cast of FAST FIVE – you will see one of the most diverse casting line-up ever in a Hollywood action blockbuster. He even brought in Dwayne Johnson aka the Rock and yes, Sung Kang is in it, too.
Even with all of his success and the amazing projects he is attached to, Justin has never forgotten our Asian American film festivals. More often than not, other filmmakers tend to think of our festivals as second tier and that we really don’t matter when they get a big studio project. But the fact that he went to the studio and requested that FAST FIVE be presented as our opening night film, and was able to put it through on our behalf, sends a message to all of us and to all of our festivals – respect!
For us at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, we are excited to celebrate our own filmmakers, and we are proud to set it off with FAST FIVE directed by Justin Lin.
(YOMYOMF will be giving away three pairs of VIP tickets to the opening night screening. Details will be up soon so keep your eyes out.)
