6th Annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas

August 23 – 30, 2007
Landmark Magnolia Theatre
3699 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
For more information regarding features, show times, and ticketing:
http://affd.org/2007/index.html


As an African-American, I am often bothered by the lack of variety in the images/stories of African-Americans on screen. I am often lamenting to my friends, “Are there no other African/African-American stories to be told besides inner-city violence, overcoming bigotry and hatred, and your good old-fashioned minstrel shows?” If you were to judge by Hollywood’s standards, you would determine that these are, in fact, the only stories we have to tell. Of course, this isn’t true.

It is because of this chasm between what is real and what is portrayed, that I have a kindred appreciation for Dallas’s 6th Annual Asian Film Festival. Though the three images that Hollywood may have of America’s Asian community (martial arts masters, math/science whizzes, and Korean grocers or nail salon technicians) may differ from those it holds of the African-American community, the images are no less limiting and, quite frankly, insulting. Consequently, I am encouraging you to give your support to the Asian Film Festival where you can be introduced to 25+ stories beyond the Hollywood norm.

Of particular interest (at least to me) is the film, “And Thereafter II.” The film “explores the reasons why Korean women continue to marry American GIs despite the fact that it turns the brides into outcasts in their own country…” (http://affd.org/2007/filmindex.html#l4s)


If this film doesn’t “float your boat” there are plenty of others to choose from: romance, intrigue, suspense, etc. That’s the beauty of this film festival (and others like it). All the pesky limitations are gone.