The New York Asian Film Festival is a yearly event in New York City that showcases different Asian movies. Subway Cinema operates NYAFF and founded by Grady Hendrix. There are lots of movies to choose from around the South East Asian country. It is a great privilege to be part of this NYAFF and watch the film, Han Dan.
Questions and Answer portion
I am a fan of the actor George Hu to start with, and I love movies that are based on true stories and/or history. I’ve been keeping an eye on this movie, and I wanted to watch it as I am curious about the story and one of Taiwan’s rituals.
George Hu the lead actor of Han Dan
Han Dan is one of the 3rd important rituals in Taitung Taiwan. The Director grew up in this place and wanted to make a movie based on this cultural event that happens in their town. Growing up, he always wondered what’s the story behind these men who volunteer to be up there. Then they started to do their research around the town and ask everyone’s story behind it, and that’s how they come up with the movie. On the other hand, the leading actor of this movie, George Hu is born and raised in New York, USA. Both parents are Taiwanese blood but lived and raised George Hu here in the USA.
George happens to quit his job in New York after his College graduation to accompany his mother to Taiwan to visit family and friends. It also happens that one of their family wanted to venture in the film industry and selected George Hu.
Han Dan is a yearly event that happens every 15th day after the Chinese Lunar Year. Taitung Taiwan is not the only country or town who practice this ritual.
Below are the countries who do Han Dan ritual:
- Taitung Taiwan
- Hongkong
- Across China
Han Dan in Walter Reade Theater
- wealth
- prosperity
- good fortune
- and success
We enjoyed the movie, and we can’t believe this ritual existed in some parts of the world. This event draws Tourism visitors in the area who celebrates and practice this ritual. It makes travelers curious and wanted to witness this event in person. Moreover, I am one of these people.
They did great in putting this movie together, my husband and I are lucky to witness this in the NYAFF and able to see my favorite actor. I’ve been wanting to watch this movie since then and been hoping this to showcase worldwide so all the fans around the world will be able to view this. I never expected this great opportunity, and even I don’t have time to chitchat the leading actor George Hu. I can say that he is a good man and approachable to his fans, especially how I ambush him for autographs.
Taking pictures with his fans after the movie
The New York Asian Film Festival is held in Lincoln Center this year from the 28th of June to the 14th of July 2019. There will be a total of seven films who will vie for the Best Feature Film this year and one of them is a Filipino who is actually from my home town in Cebu name Kenneth Lim Dagatan. But I am a fan of George Hu so I am hoping his movie can get this award. If you wanted to read more about NYAFF click it here.
Below is the 3rd edition of the main festival competition for Best Feature Film:
- Moon Sung-ho’s 5 Million Dollar Life (Japan)
- Kim Yoon-Seok’s Another Child (South Korea)
- Huang Chao-Liang’s Han Dan (Taiwan)
- Nojiri Katsumi’s Lying to Mom(Japan)
- Kenneth Lim Dagatan’s Ma (Philippines)
- Yi Ok-Seop’s Maggie (South Korea)
- and Wu Nan’s Push and Shove (China)
The following is a list of articles and youtube videos for you to browse if you’re interested to know more about the movie Han Dan.
- Han Dan Rituals Evolved Into Treasured Events
- ‘God of war & wealth’ bombed with fireworks in shocking Taiwanese ritual
Interview with the Director and the actor George Hu
When I found out that the movie Han Dan will be in New York City, I am excited to go and watch it! I’m glad that it happens on a Sunday as the parking is easy peasy. I did research right away on how to get there and where to park. I found the website Spot Hero it is a great site we paid $22 for parking, but when we get there, we couldn’t find the parking garage. We called the company and explained to them that we couldn’t trace the parking garage and they reimburse our money with no problem. We ended up parking on the street it is two blocks away from Lincoln Center. It is on the left side facing Lincoln Center beside St. Paul The Apostle Church.
It takes us seven minutes of walking to get to the theater and they put all the fans in one room while waiting to be seated in the theater for watching Han Dan Film. The fans watched the movie together with the Director and George Hu and his family and friends.
The movie takes at least two hours to watch and another hour for the questions and answer portions. George Hu fans got to interact with him like his own friends. I wish we have the opportunity to interact with him but we are in a hurry to go back home as it is an unplanned trip and hubby needs to get to work on Monday morning.
The trip takes 6 hours plus in going to the city without traffic on a Sunday morning and when we left in the evening around 7:00 pm we easily maneuver the traffic and it’s not that crazy as on the weekdays. If you want to know more things to do in New York click it here.
Other Things To Do In Visiting New York City For A Day
- Goes to Times Square and get your awesome picture there.
- Walk-in Central Park while listening to the birds’ chirp.
- Eat-in one of the best restaurants in the city.
- New York City has some of the best pizza.
- Visit St. Paul The Apostle Church two blocks away from Lincoln Center.
- Watch a live show from the best performers and artists in the city.
- Jollibee on 8th Avenue near Times Square or you can drive to Queens New York.
Disclaimer: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!
Geeky Daddy
So awesome. I hope to be able to attend this festival some year. I’ve been a huge fan of Hong Kong cinema since the John Woo/ Chow Yun Fat days and becoming a serious fan of some of the amazing talent coming out of South Korea.
April
George is a Taiwanese blood but American born and raised! You might like watching his movie I hope he venture more into this type of movie you mentioned above as his a Kung Fu master.
April
Yes, definitely has a lot of movies to watch! I hope I live nearby too! Thanks Sydney
Faith Oge
Wow!
Quit expository post….
Thanks for the handful of information
April
Thank you!
Sydney
How absolutely amazing! I wish I could attend. This is one of the things I miss about living in NYC. Thanks for sharing.
The Virginia Nymph
I am so glad you got to meet your favorite actor! There is nothing quite like meeting an idol!
April
Thanks, Teena, for stopping by! It was great I hope I have a chance to interact with him!
Irene
Glad you love the movie. And thanks for getting such wonderful gift. George will be attending the Taipei Film Awards on 13 July. Unfortunately he’s not nominated for best actor. Hope that oneday his acting could be noticed and recognised.
April
So true Irene! They said patience is a virtue, so hopefully, he’ll get there soon. You’re always welcome! I’ll be sending it soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Michael Anderson
That’s so cool that you were able to meet the lead actor and take photos with him! I love everything that relates to culture so I enjoyed reading about this ritual, I imagine it would be incredible to see it in person.
April
Yes, I am thinking the same the more I get curious and of course, wanted to visit Taiwan too!
Josy A
Woooow! It looks like you had a blast! It’s so good to have these kinds of film festivals…but it’s even better if you get to meet one of your favourite actors! Lucky you!!
April
Thank you, I was lucky to watch this film and meeting my favorite actor is a bonus! It was a wonderful experience.
Nitin Singhal
Movies are powerful medium to convey messages and stories or in this case to showcase a local culture. These kind of movies help in understanding different culture and becoming respectful to them.
April
I agree Nitin it helps us aware of what’s important to them and learn their ways.
Louise
That’s so awesome that you got to meet the lead actor and that he was kind enough to have selfies and autographs taken. Interesting to learn about the rituals of other cultures. Sounds like an educational film.
April
Yes, I like the idea of this movie! Thank you.
Danik
There is nothing like meeting your favourite actor/actress. I am still waiting to meet mine. 😀 Havent done a film festival yet, one day I will (and hopefully in Venice or Cannes) 😀
April
Sounds like a great plan! Film festival is awesome and the tickets isn’t that expensive like in broadway show 🙂
anshul
I love film festivals but I have only attended a few in India. Thanks for such a great review.
April
Yay, glad to hear you love it too! I know Indian do a lot and it’s good to portray Indian culture.
TIffany
Wow! Sounds like a wonderful day trip. I love meet and greets after concerts so that must have been amazing for you!! Your hubby is awesome to take that ride before a work day.
April
It’s my very first time to meet an actor like this setting I was worried as I was able to meet my favorite actors doing VIP in the Philippines. After this one I realized I can be a great reporter! lol, as I know how to really go and get what I need to do! But he was cool with all his fans glad we had enough time to chitchat with everyone!
The Holidaymaker
It sounds like you had a true fan experience! How amazing would that be. I think it’s great to showcase arts and culture events like this in cities and see there is one coming up in Toronto, my hometown.
Tiffany
It is so cool being able to meet stars especially when they turn out to be so cool. I live doing meet and greets. This was an awesome day trip and your hubby is a pretty good dude to do that with you when he had to be at work after that 6 hr drive. Keep enjoying life! ????
4youiwill.blog
April
It’s true worth our drive and it’s really a wonderful experienced! I wished I was able to go in the opening and experienced it myself! Maybe next time we can spend more days for NYAFF!
Ketki
I have never really attended film festivals but after reading your post I think I should make more efforts to go. Lovely experience.
April
Yes, Ketki it is a great experience, and it is worth our effort!
Carol Colborn
I didn’t know film festivals are great experiences! I should attend the one in Phoenix where I live. Thanks for the share!
April
You’re welcome! Yes, it will be worth your time Tita.
women Casual Pants match
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but
after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say excellent blog!
April
I’m sorry it happens to you. It happens to me in a couple of blogs too and I can understand how you feel. May I know what gadgets you used in having this problem? So we can try to address it.
Georgina
This article is absolutely amazing. NYC is such a vibrant city, and coming from London, I think I will like it.
April
Yes, I enjoyed it so much. I felt a great event to keep a watch for your Asian actor.
sana
After reading your post, I feel super charged to visit a film festival. Like you I enjoy films based on true stories and/or true events.
April
Yes, too many to choose from and with the $15 you paid it is affordable plus have a chance to meet the actor.
M.R. Maximo
I love film festivals! It’s really great that there is Asian representation and even greater that your favourite star is on it.
April
Yes! I got lucky it happens.
Rudy
Parking in NYC can be difficult to find and expensive. $22 sounds like a good deal, but I guess the street parking was likely more expensive. I have had good experience parking the car across the Hudson and then riding a train into the city.
Anyway, I am glad you met George Hu. He seems like a nice…and good looking guy!
April
Yes, I agree with the $22 being cheap, but we can’t find the parking garage that they told us. We ended up parking on the street for free as it is a Sunday. We went back again this early September and oh man! $60 per day is so expensive for us. We ended up paying $120 for two days. I heard about Hudson too. We also try to hitch a ride from the New Jersey side, and they drop us off at the bottom of the bridge where we can ride a train. I didn’t know it is possible, but that is a cool idea. True! He is a nice actor and pleasant to interact with his fans like equal or his friends.
Tania
So exciting to meet a movie star and that he was available for photos with you and other fans. I love that.
April
Yes, he was so humble! Everyone got to spend time and talk to him after the movie.
Smita
Traditions and rituals can be so interesting, it’s a great idea to preserve them through such films. Sounds like a great watch. How awesome is it that you got to meet your favourite actor too! Must have been great.
Emma
That’s really cool. I didn’t even know about this ritual, so it would be great to see it in movie form.
I’m Hess Traveling
What a great experience you had to not only be able to see the show but also meet the main actor. I’m surprised to know this ritual exists as well. I also like to watch movies that are based on true events and about foreign countries. Makes me want to book the first ticket to Taiwan!
April
Haha, you had me laughing at the end comment as I feel the same after I watch the movie. I am curious, and it’s on my bucket list to experience this ritual in real life.