Finishing the Game’s film festival tour continues in 2008!
Next stop will be to the CinemAsia Film Festival in Amsterdam. FTG will open up the festival on April 2 with special guest Roger Fan at the screening. For more information about the festival go to http://www.cinemasia.nl CinemAsia runs form April 2-13, 2008.
After our European premiere FTG heads east to Singapore for the 21st Singapore International Film Festival. Dustin Nguyen will be representing the film at its April 7th screening. The Singapore International Film Festival runs from April 4-14, 2008. For more information you can click on, http://www.filmfest.org.sg/.
********
SF GATE Article
ASIAN POP - "Whither The Dragon?" - by Jeff Yang
FINISHING THE GAME, our new independent film, has been an opportunity to revisit our indie roots and reunite with many in the BETTER LUCK TOMMOROW family. The challenges of making a no-budget film are harsh and demanding, but at the same time, it is filmmaking in its purest form. Clearly, passion on the part of the cast and crew made this film possible. Now we are hoping to share FINISHING THE GAME with you as it comes out in theaters and into your homes.
When BETTER LUCK TOMORROW was released, we showed Hollywood that we are a viable audience. In an industry governed by box office receipts, there is strength in numbers. The turnout for the film sent a clear message that we demand to see ourselves on screen as multi-dimensional characters. Five years later, we are asking for your support again. At this point, we need to demonstrate that BETTER LUCK TOMORROW was not a fluke; we are a vital consumer community that will no longer be ignored. However, out of respect for your time, energy and taste, we don’t want you to come see the film simply because it’s an “Asian American” project. Rather, we want you to connect to the work itself and let the film stand on its own. We welcome you to take a look at the FINISHING THE GAME trailer on our website:
Among other things, it features a behind-the-scenes look at our journey from BLT to FTG that was made by film student Anson Ho.
We are happy to announce that IFC Films, our supportive partner, will be distributing FINISHING THE GAME. However, this “platform release” is merely an opportunity and, in certain ways, an uphill battle. The lifespan of a truly independent film is determined on a week-by-week basis. Every weekend could be its last.
Through making studio films, I have learned that “word of mouth” is the most important aspect of any film’s release. A big budget movie could buy up every billboard and flood TV with commercials in order to generate audiences. An indie film does not have the budget or the platform to do that. But, the great equalizer is the viewer. Good or bad, every film is ultimately subject to “word of mouth.” It’s simple: if you like the film, tell your friends. And if they like it, they should do the same.
FINISHING THE GAME will open in New York on October 5th at the IFC Center; October 19th in San Francisco and Berkeley; and October 26th in Los Angeles, San Diego, Costa Mesa and Minneapolis.
We are also excited to announce that on October 5th, aside from its traditional theatrical release, the film will simultaneously be available ON DEMAND in 42 million homes in the United States through every cable and satellite TV distributor. This is something we are extremely excited about because it could potentially bring more of us together and build a distribution model for future Asian American films.
By supporting projects with representation and elements that you want to see, you are sending a clear message to the decision makers in Hollywood. If we can get enough people to do the same, then we will truly have a voice. So please share this with your friends and family. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Justin Lin
******** note - If this is something you believe in and wish to support, please copy and paste the letter above and email it to all of your friends and family and ask them if they will consider doing the same. Thank you.
SUNDANCE 2007
FTG Visits NEW YORK CITY!!!
FTG Does DALLAS!!!
OCA National Convention!
VC Film Festival, Los Angeles 2007
Asian Pacific Arts video of VC Film Festival Opening Night!
FTG Visits MIAMI & Asian American Journalist Association!!!
OCA National Convention Video!!!
Our Visit to the KDPhi & Lambda National Conventions!
Cool Video of our Oregon Trip!
Music
Far-East Movement MC Hammer Lyrics Born Brian Tyler
Movies
Enter the Dragon Fist of Fuhrer The Trombone Thief 1 2 and 3 The Chinese Connection
Television
Golden Gate Guns You Ain't my Brother, Brother Call Me Denise That's Right On
Books
The Way of the Intercepting Fist Tao of Jeet Kune Do Goodbye Vietnam The 48 Laws of Power The New Colored People: the Mixed-Race Movement in America The Joy of Sex
"MORE ENTERTAINING THAN ALL THE HOLLYWOOD SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS COMBINED"
- TWITCH FILM
"A CONFIDENT AND CONSISTENTLY AMUSING COMEDY"
- CINEMATICAL.COM
"DIRECTOR JUSTIN LIN SKILLFULLY TAKES AIM AT RACIAL STEREOTYPES AND THE
RIDICULOUS NATURE OF THE FILM BIZ"
- INDIEWIRE.COM
"FUNNY AS HELL!"
- BLOODY-DISGUSTING.COM
Who I'd like to meet:
“FINISHING THE GAME” Is Coming To Theaters OCTOBER 2007! And We Want To Visit YOU!!!
Dear BETTER LUCK TOMORROW / FINISHING THE GAME family:
Thank you very much for all of your support for FINISHING THE GAME.
We are very excited to announce that we are officially ON TOUR!
Let us know if you would like to host a meet & greet with the FINISHING THE GAME cast members; we would like to share with you our special behind-the-scene documentary "BUILDING A JOURNEY: FROM BETTER LUCK TOMORROW TO FINISHING THE GAME."
Many student groups, community organizers, and individual leaders helped BETTER LUCK TOMORROW make history in 2002. Because of the Asian American community’s national grassroots movement, BETTER LUCK TOMORROW became a symbol of political empowerment through fair and self-media representation. The sold-out theatres forced Hollywood to realize that the Asian American audience does exist, and that we want to be in control our own image dissemination on the big screen.
Much like BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, FINISHING THE GAME represents an important opportunity for Asian American awareness and solidarity on a national level.
If you would like to join our national grassroots campaign team or host a meet & greet with FINISHING THE GAME. Please contact…
** Jack Song, FTG Publicist **
FINISHINGTHEGAME07@yahoo.com
We look forward to seeing you and thank you for being a part of the growing FTG family!
With Tons of Love,
The FINISHING THE GAME FAMILY - Justin Lin, Sung Kang, Roger Fan, Julie Asato, Sal Gatdula, Dustin Nguyen, MC Hammer
PS…ShhHHhhhhh……
We are also happy to announce that IFC Films will be partnering with us to distribute FINISHING THE GAME this fall in theatres and video on demand!!!
FINISHING THE GAME will open in theatres as follows:
OCT 5 - NEW YORK --------> IFC CENTER OCT 19 - SAN FRANCISCO --> LANDMARK THE BRIDGE (RECENTLY CHANGED) OCT 19 - BERKELEY --------> SHATTUCK CINEMAS OCT 26 - LOS ANGELES --------> NUART THEATRE OCT 26 - SAN DIEGO --------> KEN THEATRE
Thanks for the add! ^_^ I really enjoyed FTG on a lot of levels, not least as a Bruce Lee fan. I've been pimping this movie to all and sundry, and I hope it gets the love and attention it deserves. Thanks again and happy holidays!
Just saw FTG in Houston yesterday. Very well done guys! It had me laughing and sympathizing with the characters (being a struggling Asian-American actor myself). Great job! I think Bruce Lee would be proud.
Hey fellas, William Park should be catching you all in Dallas this weekend. Hoping for a big box office for you guys. How is the cable On Demand going? Best and have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!! Love lots, Elena
The movie was awesome and I really like the characters in the film! Who knew so many guys in yellow jumpsuits would look so good?! Thanks also for coming to SFSU! The Q & A with you guys were some of the most honest and funniest things I've heard about the movie industry and your experiences as Asian Americans.
Fellas! I just emailed a friend in San Fran, telling her to get her butt down to the Bridge to see this! Have a good week and stay safe on the GRT. Big luv, E.
I actually took advantage of the IFC Theaters " On Demand " option on local cable TV. For 6 bucks, I got to watch your show @ home / Same Day opening as theaters. mmmmm. Might have a Winner, here.
