Asian Film Festival
By Kim Nguyen.
Junel 7, 2000

So holding a film festival in Downtown Aurora isn't the greatest of places like the Cannes film festival in upscale Europe. But if you look beyond this old part of town, you'd be very surprised that it offers so much cultural beauty.

The Third Annual Aurora Asian Film Festival was held at the Aurora Fox Theater. The festival had films from various Asian countries such as India, China, and Japan. People enjoyed watching these films from June 1-4. Japanese Taiko performances and authentic Asian food were also offered to moviegoers after the last shows during those four days.

I actually enjoyed this kind of experience, watching a funny Japanese movie entitled "Shooting Star". It's about an old gambler gone broke, a young man who is in debt with everyone he meets, and a schoolgirl in search of money for plastic surgery. These three run into a racing horse and hold it for ransom for money. Sure, this movie wasn't Oscar-winning worthy, but for seven bucks to see a movie that came across the Pacific Ocean, it was good enough for me.

Major of city Aurora - Paul Tauer

I don't think that people are really aware that opportunities such as the Aurora Asian Film Festival exists, I know I didn't. When I stop to think about it, it sure is important to become connected to traditional cultures of our ancestral past, but it is also crucial to see Asian cultures as it exists today.

I've always had this image of Japan being an old country where people still went through the old traditions: wearing kimonos, writing in Japanese characters with calligraphy brushes, and everyone learning Karate or how to be a Samurai. After seeing "Shooting Star", that image was completely ripped up in my mind and a new one was created. My new image of Japanese people contain images of social dilemmas like people here in America such as obsessive gambling habits, young girls desiring plastic surgery, and people bribing others to get what they want.

By watching this movie, I've found new insights into the Japanese cultures and that experiences like this can help bridge the culture shock that goes on when people run into things that are foreign to them. They also give a better understanding of how other countries really are these days. In my opinion, people should really make it a point to give foreign films and festivals a try. It may surprise you with things you never knew existed.

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