A PLACE OF ONE’S OWN
U.S. PREMIERE
The crazy scramble for living and dying space in Taipei is a subject of irony and bathos
in A PLACE OF ONE’S OWN. Yi-an's debut feature is a modern fable on the life and
coincidences in Taipei. Master Lin (Jack Kao) is a master funeral origami maker
whose business is declining. His wife (Lu Yi-ChingI is able to talk to ghosts. When
Lin discovers he has terminal cancer, their son Gang sets off a series of actions that
has indirect consequences for a young rock musician couple, Kasey (Lu Chia-Hsin) and
Mozi (Mo Zi-Yi). Superstitions, religious beliefs and luck are intertwined while each
character strives for their mark in life. A PLACE OF ONE’S OWN is half-devoted to
romance set in the fickle pop-rock scene and the other half, a black comedy on absurd
attachment to life and yearnings for immortality.
TAIWAN 2009 | MANDARIN W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 118M
Director: Lou Yi-An; Producer: Ramy Choi, Singing Chen; Cinematographer: Shen
Ko-Shang; Script: Singing Chen; Cast: Mo Tzu-Yi, Jack Kao, Lu Yi-Jing, Lu Jia-Xin
OCTOBER 16 9PM 23 2:30PM DOLE
YANG YANG / BARE ESSENCE OF LIFE
THE RAINBOW TROOPS LASKAR PELANGI
HAWAII PREMIERE
Heart-warming and beautiful, THE RAINBOW TROOPS is a coming of age tale about
ten students in the last free school in Belitong, Indonesia. Set in the 1970’s when
poor children immediately became “Coolies” (manual laborers) and only rich kids
received an education, one school fought to stay open to give these kids a chance.
The idealistic teachers, Harfan and Muslimah, convey non-materialistic values in the
children and teach that intelligence is measured by moral fiber. Three standout stu-
dents, Ikal – the Romantic, Lintang – the Genius and Mahar – the Artist, quickly
become the focus of the film. We watch as these disadvantaged students struggle
for the right to make their dreams a reality. Based on writer Andrea Hirata’s true story
and cast with local children, this film is one
of the most successful in Indonesian history.
– Barbara Bumatay
INDONESIA 2008 | INDONESIAN W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 124M
Director:Riri Riza; Producer: Mira Lesmana; Cinematographer: Yadi Sugandi;
Script: Salman Aristo, Mira Lesmana, Riri Riza; Cast: Cut Mini, Zulfani, Ferdian,
Veris Yamarno, Ikranagara
AFTER THE STORM / TALENTIME
OCTOBER 16 12:30PM 17 12:30PM DOLE
TALENTIME
U.S. PREMIERE
A talent search competition has matched two hearts - that of Melur, a Malay-
mixed girl, and Mahesh, an Indian male student who is deaf. Melur, who is an
amazing singer-songwriter, is one of the seven finalists of the Talentime competi-
tion of her school. He is assigned by Cikgu Adibah (the strict school marm) with
ensuring that all finalists make it to their rehearsals; Melur is smitten when she
first meets him. Melur and Mahesh face many obstacles (racial/religious/disability)
for their budding romance. Just a day before the competition, is Melur resilient
enough to sing the poetic lyrics of her song when her heart is tormented by the
thoughts of Mahesh? What about Mahesh who has found his first love? On
Talentime night, everything unfolds. – Anderson Le
HIFF is honored to present the final film of the late Yasmin Ahmad, she was a tour-de-force
in Malaysian and Southeast Asian cinema. A vibrant personality, her films garnered many
awards at film festivals around the world. On July 25, 2009,
Ahmad passed away. She was only 51.
MALAYSIA 2009 | MALAY W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 120M
Director: Yasmin Ahmad; Producer: Ahmad Puad Onah; Cinematographer: Low
Keong; Script: Yasmin Ahmad; Cast: Mahesh r Jug al Kishor, Pamela Chong
OCTOBER 19 3:15PM 20 4PM DOLE
CHILDREN OF INVENTION / RAINBOW TROOPS
38 29TH HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
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