Free Outdoor Movie Night

The Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, the Asian American International Film Festival, and the Flushing BID present a full day of entertainment, including Asian American short films and a musical performance by Eric G.

Date: Saturday, August 1st, 2015

Time: 11:00AM-9:00PM

Location: Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel

Program

11:00am to 5:00pm - Asian American short films at the Boardroom West (BR Level)

6:30pm - Live performance from Eric G, a Filipino-American Pop/R&B artist influenced by the likes of Michael Jackson. He is a singer-songwriter and producer known for his his catchy melodies and soul rock-infused beats. Find out more about Eric G on his website: http://www.ericgsounds.com/

8:00pm - Off the Menu: Asian America & The Purple Onion at the Outdoor Terrace

Off the Menu: Asian America

Director: Grace Lee | USA | 2015 | 56 mins | English

From the stories about how food is prepared to the traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, people and food have always had a close relationship. AAIFF will feature Grace Lee’s OFF THE MENU: ASIAN AMERICA, a film that explores how we define “Asian America” — through that thing that is near and dear to everyone, food. OFF THE MENU is a documentary that travels from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the heartland of Wisconsin to New York’s Lower East Side and delves into a wealth of stories, traditions, and unexpected characters that explore what it means to be Asian American today.

The Purple Onion

Director: Matt Szymanowski | USA, Poland | 2015 | 75 mins

THE PURPLE ONION is an offbeat feature-length, comic-drama film about the most unfortunate stand-up comedian you have never heard of. Johnny, a struggling Chinese American comedian in San Francisco, finds himself on a downward spiral of disappointment in his private and personal life.

Our well-intentioned and increasingly more hapless comedian works as a dishwasher and hopes to move up to server. Most of all, he wants to get on stage and perform comedy; but gradually more serious, absurd and unexpected obstacles prevent him from doing so. The comedian’s estranged and single relative Jeanie suddenly moves in to Johnny’s tiny apartment; she’s lost everything and her home to foreclosure. As the new roommates adjust to one another’s personal habits Johnny (a habitual masturbator) and Jeanie (a snooper) also struggle to find their own roles in a vibrantly diverse, often profoundly beautiful yet intrinsically challenging metropolitan San Francisco.Emotionally confused and in need of a human connection, sexual intrigue develops as Johnny and Jeanie’s fates intertwine.

Find all this information and more on the event flyer and webpage. While you're in Flushing, also check out our 2nd Annual Flushing Street Festival!