This year the Taiwan Film Days festival features only eight films, four of which we already have reviewed, spoiler-free of course.  Judging from ticket sales, the coming-of-age teen dramedy, You Are The Apple of My Eye is gearing up to be either the overwhelming fan favorite or the most disappointing feature of the festival.  After selling out within the first day of tickets going on sale the Film Society announced an added screening, which, as predicted, sold out within hours.  Who knew?  Personally, I don’t think you’re missing all that much if you are unable to see that film.  Check out our guide below and click on the films to read their reviews.

Bear It – “This film changed my thoughts to dreams and put a smile on my face” – Cal Jeralin

Pinoy Sunday – “This mumblecore-esque depiction of a day-in-the-life of a pair of twenty-somethings on the road to self-discovery hit all the right tones” – Adam Cuttler

The Coming of Tulku – “If you have insomnia, suffer from masochism, or are studying the art of meditation this is the film for you!” – Sarah Tell

You Are The Apple of My eye – “Was this film trying to be an American Pie-esque comedy or a sappy puppy-love melodrama?” – Adam Cuttler

Films we missed:

Formosa Mambo – Kidnapping comedy

Honey Pupu – Social media romance

Ranger – Crime & redemption

Taivalu – Regional documentary

Chaperoning teddy bears (Bear It), hilarious kidnappings (Formosa Mambo), and road tripping with a couch boat (Pinoy Sunday).  This year’s Taiwan Film Days Festival has definitely taken a complete 180 turn from what was easily last year’s most disappointing film outing.  The programmers for this year’s Taiwanese Film Festival claim they are offering the very best in contemporary Taiwan cinema, and so far, from what I can tell, they might be right.  Whether you were or weren’t disappointed with last year’s program, you definitely need not worry about the quality in this year’s.  If you have never been to see a Taiwanese film, maybe this year should be your first.

As always, be sure to check back with us a day or two before the festival starts to see a complete run down of which films we feel you should see and which ones to avoid.  Ticket info and complete schedule after the jump. Read More…

Think long and hard, and try to remember the last great Taiwanese film you have seen in the theatre.  I’m assuming that most of you are drawing a blank.  The last – and perhaps only – good film I have seen from Taiwan would be the Edward Yang directed, Yi Yi, and that was way back in 2000.  Now, with a 3-day Taiwan Film Days Festival slowly approaching, my chances of seeing some Taiwan cinematic gold have increased greatly.  Where as I would normally see about zero films from this country per year, I now have the chance to see possibly six.

From Friday, October 22nd to the 24th, Japan Town’s Viz Cinema (1746 Post Street) is bringing to San Francisco a handful of Taiwanese films, hence the name of the festival, Taiwan Film Days.  Follow the jump for full schedule information Read More…