NYAFF, openers.

"Now in its fifth year, the New York Asian Film Festival (today through July 1) has evolved from the little festival that could into one of the city's most valuable events," writes Manohla Dargis in the New York Times. She briefly runs through the history of the fest, makes note of the lineup - "most of the films in this year's edition are from Japan, which has a robust and, in the United States, criminally neglected national cinema. Also showing are films from Korea (seven), India (five) and Thailand, Malaysia and China (one apiece)" - and calls up Grady Hendrix before offering her own tips: Cromartie High School and Duelist.

As it happens, David Austin reviews that first one at Cinema Strikes Back, where he calls it "a deadpan serious, completely bizarre, frequently hilarious take on the 'Delinquent School' vein of Japanese pulp fiction."

At Associated Content, Christopher Bourne begins his very fine roundup by contrasting the fest with Tribeca, which also happens to have turned five this year: "Simply put, the overriding philosophy is to bring a selection of quality films, surprising, shocking, tender, cruel, and unclassifiable films that deserve a larger audience. Just good films, without the paraphernalia of publicists and mercenary careerism. What a concept!"

For Gay City News, Steve Erickson also emphasizes that the festival is now more "vital" than ever.

Filmbrain writes up his picks.

Posted by dwhudson at June 16, 2006 4:35 PM