Friday, March 21, 2008

Zombies Attack!

Don't forget to check out Grace Lee's hilarious film " American Zombie" opening in LA next week. I was fortunate enough to see this film at the Hawaii International Film Festival last year and I thought it rocked. It's funny and suspenseful and clever. I highly recommend it.

As usual, I am fighting for the underdog again. Please try to go opening weekend. Small independent films like these rely on the opening weekend box office to stay alive. Pass the good word.

As a sidenote, this film was financed by the Korean production company SidusHQ. This film along with Never Forever by Gina Kim and my film West 32nd are the first out of the gate that are bridging American and Korean production. If you care about the future of Asian American future (and I hate to use this card but I think it's imperative), then you need to support this movie. The more movies that are successful at bridging the international co-production model, the more likely more Asian American films will get made -- and made outside of the Hollywood system where Asian American filmmakers can be free to explore all kinds of genres and subject matters.

Okay, I'm stepping off the soapbox. See the movie mainly because it's entertaining.

Also, if you can make it next weekend, print out the coupon below to get a special discounted ticket price!

From Grace Lee:

Dear Friends,

I'm very excited to announce that at long last, AMERICAN ZOMBIE, a film that I directed and co-wrote, will be opening at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles on March 28!    We are working with the distributor to make sure we get people into the theaters, particularly on the opening weekend, as that is the key to expanding to other theaters.  We're planning on Q&As with cast and crew, giveaways, an zombie art show opening at Scoops Ice Cream gallery  in East Hollywood and more.

I know several of you have already seen the film, but if you could help me get the word out to people whom you think might enjoy it, I'd really appreciate it.  Or, come see it again at the Sunset 5!   We'd love to have you.  There is also a coupon for discounted tickets on opening weekend (attached below).

Thanks again, and hope to see you at the movie!

GraceCinema Libre Studio invites you to come see AMERICAN ZOMBIE during opening weekend (March 28-30) at Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood for only $6! If you support equal rights for Zombies, then print out the coupon and come check out this film. But don't forget, the coupon is only good for opening weekend!

Tell your friends!

Don't forget to join the Myspace and Facebook pages!"Sharply funny and a winner all the way, Lee not only pokes fun of L.A., subcultures and the documentary form, but also herself."

• G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

"But the mere fact that Lee can make both a media satire and, in the end, a creepy horror flick, while at least alluding to bigger social issues, suggests the breadth of her wit and intelligence."

• Andrew O'Hehir, salon.com

"...a clever and tightly woven tale of a filmmaker a little too deep into the lives of her subjects."

-Aint-it-Cool News

"American Zombie is the must-see zombie movie of the year."

• ZombieReportingCenter.com

"Very clever, inventive and creepy"

• angryasianman.com

"American Zombie is most definitely an original work of documentary/fiction/comedy/horror."

• Toby Roberts, CinemActivist.comFilmmakers Grace Lee ("The Grace Lee Project") and John Solomon ("Nonsense Man") team up to shoot a documentary about high-functioning zombies living in Los Angeles and their struggles to gain acceptance in human society.

Despite their wildly different working styles, Grace and John manage to chronicle the hopes and dreams of four fascinating subjects: IVAN, a convenience-store clerk who longs for a career in publishing; LISA, a florist trying to recover her lost memories; JUDY, a hopeless romantic who learns to accept her true nature; and JOEL, a committed political activist striving for zombie rights. As Grace strives to get to know the zombies "on their own terms," John is eager to uncover their darker side and rallies to get the crew permission to shoot at a three-day, zombies-only retreat called Live Dead where the documentary takes an unexpected – and dangerous – turn. What transpires there is beyond anything the filmmakers could imagine, as they are forced to re-evaluate their ideas about tolerance, identity politics and the future of the human race.

American Zombie premieres in Los Angeles March 28th:

Laemmle's Sunset 5

8000 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90046

Showtimes: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30 & 10:00 Q&A with Grace Lee and the zombies: Friday (3/28) and Saturday (3/29) after the 7:30PM show

Buy tickets online at www.laemmle.com

To watch the trailer and get more information visit: http://www.americanzombiemovie.com