Newport Beach Film Festival - Asian films and gala

Newport Beach, Calif. (April 1, 2010) – On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 the 11th annual Newport Beach Film Festival will present its Asian Showcase, an evening celebration of Asian cinema and culture. The event will feature premiere screenings of acclaimed Asian films, followed by a festive post screening gala. Representing China, Japan, and Korea, the Asian Showcase will give filmgoers an opportunity to experience Asian film and culture at its finest.

The showcase will feature the regional premieres of Sophie’s Revenge as the Chinese Spotlight, Air Doll as the Japanese Spotlight and Private Eye as the Korean Spotlight. Sophie’s Revenge was a box office hit in China and stars Zhang Ziyi as a graphic novelist whose boyfriend has left her for a famous actress. Her plans to seek revenge reveal, in time, a deeper understanding of life and love. From the award-winning director, Hirokazu Kore-Eda, Air Doll, is the modern-day Pinocchio story of an inflatable plastic doll, maid costume and all, which comes to life. The journey through her new world prompts key questions of existence. Where do we find meaning in our own lives? What ultimately makes us human? A favorite on the film festival circuit, Private Eye, is a well crafted mystery-thriller. Set in 1910, the film tells the story of a Korean “Sherlock Holmes” who must help a local doctor, accused of murder, prove his innocence.

The films will screen at the Edwards Island Cinemas, located in Fashion Island at 999 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. Attendees can choose one of the three Showcase films and participate in the after event.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
7:30 p.m. – Air Doll (2009, Japan, 125 )
7:45 p.m. – Private Eye (2009, Korea, 111 min)
8:00 p.m. – Sophie’s Revenge (2009, China, 107 min)

“The Newport Beach Film Festival consistently seeks to bring the best in Asian cinema to Orange County”, stated Gregg Schwenk, CEO of the Newport Beach Film Festival. “The artists from China, Japan, and South Korea clearly reflect some of the strongest filmmaking in the world. We are greatly honored to be working with such a distinguished array of talent.”

The post-screening celebration will take place at RED Night Club, located at 4647 MacArthur Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92660. RED Night Club is the top ultra lounge in Orange County – Offering an upscale blend of exotic eastern and sophisticated western ambience.

Admission to one of the Asian Showcase films and the post event is $35.00. For ticket and information and updates visit Newportbeachfilmfest.com.