3 Continents features Asian films

French festival's competition this year mostly from East Asia

By Patrick Frater

Nov 18, 2009, 12:16 PM ET

HONG KONG -- The 3 Continents Festival in Nantes, France (Nov 24 - Dec 1) this year gives over a large majority of its competition section to Asian films.
 
The festival, which puts the spotlight on Africa, Latin America and Asia and has been running for 31 years, opens with a Asian-Middle Eastern double header: Iranian documentary: "Bassidji" by Mehran Tamadon and Malaysian crime-drama "Call If You Need Me" by James Lee.
 
Other notable competition titles from East Asia include Soi Cheang's "Accident," Iguchi Nami's "Sex Is No Laughing Matter" and Kim So-yong's "Treeless Mountain."
 
Away from the competition, 3 Continents has house room for recent festival favorites including Uruphong Raksasad's "Agrarian Utopia," Adolfo Alix and Raya Martin's "Manila" and Chinese courtroom documentary "Petition." It also carries a 14-title tribute to Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa and a digital screening of Shin Sang-ok's 1961 "Prince Yeonsan."
 
Nantes, Festival des Trois Continents, 2009 competition line-up

"Bassidji," Mehran Tamadon, Iran
"Call if You Need Me,"  James Lee, Malaysia
"Todos mienten,"  Matias Pineiro, Argentina
"The Search,"  Pema Tseden, China
"Bandhobi," Shin Dong-il,  South Korea
"Treeless Mountain,"  Kim So-yong, South Korea
"Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story," Yousry Nasrallah, Egypt
"Accident," Soi Cheang, Hong Kong
"Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly," Edwin, Malaysia
"Closure," Anat Even, Israel
"Sex is No Laughing Matter," Iguchi Nami, Japan
"Adrift (Choi Voi)," Chuyen Bui Thac, Vietnam

3 Continents features Asian films

French festival's competition this year mostly from East Asia

By Patrick Frater

Nov 18, 2009, 12:16 PM ET