2012

The mini-theme of UPAF 2012 is “Third World Fiction!” We say “third world” here with a totally positive connotation in the way that third world filmmakers and distributors have often used the term since the 80s in the movement to recognize their historical identities and preserve their cultures. As Japanese, we stand in solidarity with filmmakers from the Third World. With that said, we would like to introduce amazing drama films from Vietnam (“Owl and the Sparrow”), Taiwan (“Au Revoir Taipei”), and Iran (“The Color of Paradise”) with great pleasure!

Other than those, we have: “GFP Bunny,” a new film by a talented edgy Japanese indie filmmaker Yutaka Tsuchiya; “Brasslands,” a mesmerizing Balkan music documentary about the world famous trumpet contest in Serbia; “Skateistan,” a heartwarming documentary about a group of volunteer Western skateboarders delivering skateboards to the children of war-torn Afghanistan. In the short programs, we have a strong and diverse array of films such as: a portrait of a American MtF transgender writer; a drama about a Samoan chief living in the white men’s city forgetting about his tradition and pride; a documentary about the consensus process at the Occupy Wall Street movement in NY; a dance film featuring wild dolphins, etc. We also have the UPAF regular program of teen films from around the wold (this one is for free!)