By Maria Esteves - August 21, 2010

The 33rd Asian American International Film Festival 2010 (AAIFF10) Special Presentation of Eye on Taiwan short film series sponsored by Asian CineVision (ACV) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), New York, commenced Saturday, July 17, 7:30 pm, at the Chelsea Clearview Cinemas, New York. A special Q&A session with producer/director Wenchung Lu, of Ketchup, moderated by AAIFF program manager Martha C.M. Tien immediately followed the presentation. The ninety-four minute short film series by emerging international filmmakers included:

Happy Ending, directed by Wei Chen Chang, is a revealing and richly imagined short film that depicts the life of Cyndi, a shampooist/scalp masseuse at a hair salon in Taipei who dreams of becoming a famous hairstylist and the accidental death of her client, an elderly man.

Sleeping With Her, directed by Chih Yi Wen, an emotionally charged short film examines the interrelationship of loneliness between a young home health caregiver Hui Hui and her noncompliant elderly homebound patient.

Letting Off, directed by Hung Ju Chang, is an excellent short film about the life of Guo, an intellectually challenged individual who works at Mr. Brown Coffee Shop.

Ketchup, directed by Wenchung Lu, is an outstanding, heartfelt, magical, and suspenseful, award winning animated short film. The story portrays how a family’s economic depravity mysteriously turned into prosperity with the planting of seeds.

AAIFF10 Special Presentation of Eye on Taiwan arrivals included international filmmakers, actors, producers, celebrity guests, industry professionals, and patrons.

AAIFF 2010 Eye on Taiwan Special Presentation, producer/director, Wenchung Lu, Ketchup.

AAIFF 2010 Eye on Taiwan Special Presentation, producer/director,
Wenchung Lu, Ketchup, left, with cinematographer Jack Lam,
Happy Ending.

AAIFF 2010 Eye on Taiwan Special Presentation of Ketchup Q&A Session: AAIFF program manager Martha C.M. Tien, right, with producer/director, Wenchung Lu.