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 ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA RETURNS MARCH 20 - APRIL 21, 2024

Sneak Peek Presentations Lead Up to 18th Season of Groundbreaking Festival

 The Asian Pop-Up Cinema film festival today revealed a look at its upcoming 18th edition, running March 20 - April 21, 2024. Each week throughout the festival is dedicated to works from a different region, with films available via streaming during the week and in-person presentations at AMC Newcity 14 on weekends. Leading up to this year’s opening night, Asian Pop-Up Cinema presents sneak peek screenings of three films including Best International Feature Academy Award-nominee PERFECT DAYS. The full program for the 18th Asian Pop-Up Cinema film festival will be announced on March 4, 2024.

As in past years, the festival dedicates each week to an exploration of a specific country or region’s films. This year’s program focuses on Taiwanese cinema from March 23 - 29, Korea from March 30 - April 3, Japan from April 1 - 7, China from April 8 - 14, and Hong Kong from April 15 - 21. 

“Asian Pop-Up Cinema is a unique opportunity for us to showcase the incredible contributions Asian filmmakers are making to global cinema and to explore cultures from halfway around the world,” said Asian Pop-Up Cinema founder and director Sophia Wong Boccio. “We proudly continue to bring new perspectives and new artists to Chicago audiences in our 18th season.”

Sneak Peek Screening Events

Leading up to this year’s festival, Asian Pop-Up Cinema will host three special screening events. Admission is free to these sneak peek events, but advance registration is required; tickets are available online at www.asianpopupcinema.org. 

Thursday February 15, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. 

Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State St.)

THE MONK & THE GUN (Bhutan)

Dir. Choyning Dorji

In this gentle fable from Bhutan, an American gun collector and a young monk match wits over what will happen to an antique gun, against the backdrop of the country’s first modernizing election in 2006.

Saturday February 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

Chicago Cultural Center Claudia Cassidy Theatre (78 E. Washington St.)

100 YARDS (China)

Dirs. Haofeng Xu and Junfeng Xu

Featuring a special Lion Dance performance by Master P.C. Leung & Team at 1:15 p.m.

Set in 1920s Tianjin, northern China, two bitter rivals fight to take over a prominent martial arts wushu academy.

Saturday February 24, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.)

PERFECT DAYS (Japan)

Dir. Wim Wenders

Hirayama is content with his life as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Outside of his structured routine he cherishes music on cassette tapes, books, and taking photos of trees. Through unexpected encounters, he reflects on finding beauty in the world.

The 18th Asian Pop-Up Cinema festival will run March 20 - April 21, 2024 with a new selection of films available via streaming each week, and in-person screenings each weekend. The full slate of films and special guests will be announced on March 4, 2024; for more information please visit www.asianpopupcinema.org.