By
Mark Flora
Just
recently, my young Samurai Journalist For Hire partner
Francis Mawae and I had the opportunity to watch some
of the coolest films on the big screen. This awesome
privilege would have never happened had it not been
for some quick thinking by JD Nguyen and of course,
some Press Vouchers from Hawaii International Film
Festival Film Coordinator, Mr. Anderson Le. In addition
to that, Anderson gave us the "green light"
to interview him during his busy schedule. So here
is Kung Fu Cult Cinema's interview with a guy who
watches foreign films just like the rest of us, but
he gets paid for it, Anderson Le.
I
picked up Francis and we were headed to the Pacific
Tower Bishop Square building where our 1p.m. session
with Anderson was located. This was only the second
time Francis and I have met in person and I could
tell there were a slight tension and uneasiness between
us. But after we got to know each other and got the
hibbie-jibbies out of our system, we concentrated
on the task at hand. This being our first interview
together, we were engulfed in a wave of nervous twitches
and sweaty palms. But we knew we had to do this. And
then it was time.
[Mark
Flora]: Before we get started, could you
give us a background on the Hawaii International Film
Festival and how it came to be.
[Anderson
Le]: Hawaii International Film Festival
started in 1981 at the UH East-West Center to promote
the cultural understanding of Asia, Asia Pacific and
the rest of the western world through the medium of
film. The East-West Center was started 30-40 years
ago by John F. Kennedy to promote the whole East-West
thing.
[Mark]:
What do you do for HIFF?
[Anderson]:
I'm the film programmer so I basically track films
and try to get them for the festival. I go to other
film festivals to see what new products are being
showcased. I keep contacts with several sales agents
from other countries, distributors and film makers.
And we also get screeners from budding film makers
when we have an open call for entries. In the summer
is when we get our films because we have an August
deadline. Then we have a screening committee to review
the films and if they're good you know, we use them.
[Mark]:
So what's the criterion for the movies? What do you
guys base these films on and when do you guys give
the "thumbs up" to put them on the big screen?
[Anderson]:
Well, our mission statement is "to promote cultural
understanding between East and West" so basically
we choose films that would attract our festival audiences.
But it doesn't always have to be that way, I mean
it (the films) could be from Croatia or Russia and
if it's good, we'll show it. Even though we have a
strong Asia and Pacific focus, we don' t disregard
any other country. Just as long as it enchants the
viewers, tells a good story, it's good to go. This
is just the first part. We also track movies and directors
that are generating a good buzz.
[Mark]:
When you say tracking, does it include the internet
and some web sites (wink wink)?
[Anderson]:
Well, we use contacts, trade magazines and a waiting
list. And we use other film festivals as well.
[Mark]:
So have you been to any of those other film festivals?
[Anderson]:
Rotterdam, which was the last major one I've been
to. My boss, Chuck Boller and I split the travel arrangement.
He's been to Berlin. See what' s good about Berlin
and Rotterdam is that these two film festivals have
strong Asian programming and focus so that's where
they'd likely show the new Asian films. Then I'd go
to Tokyo to see some stuff there also.
[Mark]:
Wow, is this like all prepaid for you or do you ...??
[Anderson]:
Oh no no, this is just part of my work. Well, this
is just one of the perks, but it's not a vacation,
you still have to work.
[Mark]:
How many film festivals have you been to? Too many
to count, huh . . . ?
[Anderson]:
Well . . . yeah, but I don't know. I usually go to
two a year. And it's good to have that one on one
thing you know?
[Mark]:
Basically, on our site, we have a true love for Asian
Cinema. That is our common bond that brings us fans
together. Would you say you're an Asian Cinema fanatic?
[Anderson]:
Oh yeah definitely. That's why I'm working here. I
think the most exciting global cinema and international
cinema is coming out of Asia. Over the years, it's
really interesting to see the evolution of what' s
hot and what's not. Maybe like 10 years ago, everything
that came out of Hong Kong was just like (making a
punching gesture) solid and hot. It was like ooh new
John Woo film or ooh new Tsui Hark film. But now it'
s Korea and southeastern Asian countries like Malaysia
that's been coming out with some really good stuff.
[Mark]:
What movie brought you into the world of Asian Cinema?
Which one started it all for you?
[Anderson]:
Umm, which one started it all for Asian Cinema? Let's
see. It would have to be . . . I know, it would have
to be a Japanese film called Tompopo, have you heard
of it?
[Mark]:
No sorry. What is it about?
[Anderson]:
Well, it's like a western in Japan that takes place
around a ramen shop. It's a really good film and it's
really popular. And then I saw John Woo's The Killer
and that was like "Wow!" It just sucked
me in.
[Mark]:
In terms of the most influential Asian director, despite
having criticism for a lack of cohesiveness in his
plot lines, I would still have to go with Tsui Hark
as the most striking director. Which director would
you say "does that" for you?
[Anderson]:
That strikes me? Umm, I don't have like a favorite
but I have like a top five list. I think the new John
Woo now is Johnnie To. I liked his movies The Mission
and Full-Time Killer. What' s great about him is that
his mission is to revive the Hong Kong film industry
and he's really doing it. Tsui Hark I really like
also. I like Mabel Cheung who did the movies Tempting
Heart and Princess-D. There' s Park Chan-Wook who
did JSA and Im Kwon-Taek who I think is the master
of Korean cinema. He did Chunhyang. And I like Takashi
Miike. See some of his movies I don't really care
for, but whenever he has a new movie I seem to always
be interested and I wanna watch it. I've met the guy
too.
[Mark]:
WHAT?! (With astonishment and a clueless look on our
faces.)
[Anderson]:
Yeah I did. He's a really great guy. Really cool.
A bad boy director. See, the thing is that he's a
HUGE Manga fan that's why he has those ultra-violent
films. He's not a stupid guy. He' s really smart.
He incorporates the view of women through his Japanese
culture. And he's such a prolific director; he makes
like 5-6 movies a year. It's amazing.
[Mark]:
With the onslaught of Asian movies coming ashore,
it's difficult to keep up with all of them. From what
you've seen, from what country would you say has been
garnering hype and making some awesome movies?
[Anderson]:
I would have to say South Korea. Actually our upcoming
22nd Annual HIFF, which is gonna be November 1-10,
will be showcasing a "Spotlight on Korea"
where we'll fly in some directors and actors.
[Mark]:
(we make some wild quirky noises at the thought of
"interviewing" these directors and actors)
[Anderson]:
Everything out of Korea is hot. I've been to all these
film festivals and every Korean movie I've seen, I've
loved.
[Mark]:
Yes! Well, okay, we'd like to end our interview session
with this question, if you could make the all-time
greatest Asian film, who would you have as your director,
producer, scriptwriter, the cast and what's the plot?
[Anderson]:
Wow! Umm . . . (he's stumped and trying really hard
to think) I would probably make it . . . That' s a
tough question. Well, Chow Yun Fat has got to be in
that movie. Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung,
I think the best actors are the Hong Kong actors.
I' ll just have the whole roster of Hong Kong actors.
Tony Leung, Shu Qi, Zhang Zhi Yi, oh and I can't forget
Cecilia Cheung cause she's so cute. It would probably
be like an international spy movie. It would be like
a James Bond movie, but with the Hong Kong actors.
And it would have to be directed by Johnnie To with
a 150 million-dollar budget. They would go all around
the world, it would be so cool. That would be my all
time.
July
10th, 2002
Well,
what do you think? He's just as crazy as us, huh?
Anderson Le and this interview was a great experience
for both Francis and myself. With this being our first
conducted interview, we were lucky enough to have
it with a guy that we could all relate to. He' s a
true-blue fan of Asian Cinema and he will always be.
On behalf of Francis and Kung Fu Cult Cinema, I would
like to thank Anderson and HIFF for giving us the
opportunity of covering the films we all love so dearly.
And you guys can' t miss our upcoming coverage on
the November HIFF where there is a whole new roster
of movies and at least two more gripping interviews.
From here in beautiful Hawaii, Mahalo!
Mark
Flora
For
the complete HIFF KFC Cienma coverage: Clikc Here!
