Film Screening: Happiness

NEW YORK, July 19, 2016 — Asia Society welcomed audiences on Thursday for a screening of the film Happiness, in conjunction with the 39th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), a Hong Kong film directed by Andy Lo. Following the screening, S. Casper Wong, filmmaker and founder of Asian American Women Media Makers, moderated a conversation between Happiness lead actors Kara Wai and Carlos Chan. Judy Lei, Festival Director, Asian American International Film Festival, translated. (34 min., 13 sec.)

Part of the 39th Asian American International Film Festival
Presented by Asian CineVision in association with Asia Society

Happiness
Director Andy Lo | 2015 | Hong Kong | 120 min.
In Cantonese with English Subtitles

After his mother’s death, Chan Kai-yuk feels so alone that he leaves Guangzhou for Hong Kong to look up his father, who abandoned him years earlier. Yuk’s hopes are dashed upon finding that his father has a new family and considers him a burden.

Alone and homeless, Yuk is taken in by Auntie Fen, a middle-aged recluse who leads a solitary existence. Their differences lead to squabbles, intensified by Yuk’s self-centeredness and Fen’s odd temperament. But as time goes by, Yuk learns Fen is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The discovery unexpectedly serves as a catalyst for the young man’s growth into a caring friend, and for the first time in her life, Fen feels blessed. Yet the nature of her disease and the accelerating elusiveness of feelings and memories loom.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with actors Kara Wai and Carlos Chan.

Tickets are sold through the Festival. For complete Festival schedule and box office information, please click here.

The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is produced by Asian CineVision (ACV), a nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, promotion and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video. AAIFF is the nation’s longest-running festival of its kind and a leading showcase for the best in independent Asian and Asian American film and video.