OCTOBER 9-19, 2008 HIFFFILMS
CHILDREN OF THE DARK YAMI NO KODOMOTACHI
SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
CHILDREN OF THE DARK traces the drastic fate of Thai children trapped in the machinations of child
prostitution and the human organ black market. This new work from established Japanese director Junji
Sakamoto does not console audiences with the idea of events taking place in a far-off land, and it also
points a finger at Japan's association with the problem, the key grounds for which are shown as apathetic
dismissal, the unwillingness to acknowledge problems beyond the borders of one's own country. It also
explores the burden of guilt upon those who create the demand for child prostitution and trade in children's
organs. WARNING: CONTAINS SCENES UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.
JAPAN 2008 | JAPANESE W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 138 MIN.
T
15 6:30 5:15
Director: Junji Sakamoto; Cast: Yosuke Eguchi, Aoi Miyazaki, Satoshi Tsumabuki
OC PM 17 PM DOL
CHANTS OF LOTUS | CROSSING
CHOCOLATE
EXTREME ASIA | HAWAII PREMIERE
Len is a young, autistic girl who has lightning fast reflexes and razor-sharp fighting skills. She lives a quiet life
with her mom, and finds comfort in M&Ms and martial arts films (which she mimics with frightening accuracy).
When her mother is diagnosed with cancer, Len stumbles upon a list of people that owe her mother money. She
realizes the only way to cover the cancer treatments is to recover mom’s money and decides to track down every
lowlife on the list. Len’s condition, however, makes it difficult for these thugs to take her seriously. Eventually,
however, each comes to realize that Len’s hidden talent isn’t counting spilled toothpicks; no, this girl is a fierce
martial artist! Soon, the word on the street is: If Len knocks, you better have her money or you’re time is up.
From the director of ONGBAK!
THAILAND 2008 | ENGLISH, THAI, JAPANESE W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 110 MIN.
Director: Prachya Pinkaew; Cast: JeeJa Yanin, Ammara Siripong, Hiroshi Abe, Pongpat Wachirabunjong
T
MIRAGE MAN | THE CHASER
OC 14 8PM 16 8PM DOL
A CHRISTMAS TALE UN CONTE DE NOEL
EUROPEAN SHOWCASE | HAWAII PREMIERE
Abel and Junon Vuillard have never recovered from their son Joseph’s death. The victim of a rare genetic disorder,
Joseph’s only hope was a bone marrow transplant. Neither of his parents nor his sister Elizabeth was a compatible
donor. In a desperate final effort to save their son, the couple conceived a third child, Henri. Unfortunately, Henri
also was incompatible and Joseph died at the age of seven. A CHRISTMAS TALE follows the aftermath of this
tragedy, many years later, and explores the tense relationships of the Vuillard family, particularly those between the
domineering head of the house, Elizabeth, and Henri, now a hopeless ne’er-do-well. Arnaud Desplechin’s film,
arguably his finest, is a bittersweet, gripping and poignant cinematic experience not to be missed.
FRANCE 2008 | FRENCH W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 151 MIN.
T
Director: Arnaud Desplechin; Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Mathieu Amalric
OC 13 7:15PM DOL
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY | MERMAID
CRAWFORD
POLITICS & POWER | HAWAII PREMIERE
In 1999, Governor George W. Bush buys a ranch in Crawford, Texas and calls it "home," and an insular com-
munity explodes overnight. Crawford is instantly overrun with international press corps and droves of
tourists. Shops open, Main St. booms, the locals watch themselves on national TV. But soon, the town's
compelling characters feel the human impact of political stagecraft. The spotlight exacerbates tensions
between freethinking and conformity, pushing a progressive teacher and her favorite student to the edge
and beyond. Now, Crawford's boom is busting like the Presidency itself. But seven years of political
theatrics has left a grave impact. Two characters are dead and one is leaving town. Bush is soon to abscond.
Left to deal with the aftermath are the real people of Crawford.
UNITED STATES 2008 | ENGLISH | 75 MIN.
T
Director: David Modigliani BOOGIE MAN | THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY
OC 17 9PM 18 7:30PM DOL
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