Asian Delight

Frangipani  Frangipani  PG
Visakesa Chandrasekaram
Sri Lanka / 2014 / Color / 90mins

Sarasi is a young woman of a certain age ripe for arranged marriage, but she has eyes on her childhood friend Chamath. They befriend an outsider named Nalin who has come to work in the village. The two men’s relationship quickly develops to closeted love. Needing to find a husband soon but not getting an answer out of Chamath, Sarasi turns her focus toward Nalin. At the same time, Chamath wants a stable relationship with Nalin, but Nalin has his dreams to pursue. “Frangipani” is the first feature film of Sri Lanka to depict a gay relationship in the country where same-sex intercourse is punishable by law.

How to Win at Checkers (Every Time)  How to Win at Checkers (Every Time)  PG
Josh Kim
Thailand / Indonesia / USA / 2015 / Color / 80mins

After the loss of both parents, 11-year-old Oat faces an uncertain future when his older brother must submit to Thailand's annual military draft lottery. Unable to convince his brother to do whatever he can to change his fate, Oat takes matters into his own hands, resulting in unexpected consequences. Based on stories from the bestselling book "Sightseeing" by Rattawut Lapcharoensap, the film is set in the economic fringes of Bangkok and examines the joys and challenges of growing up in contemporary Thailand. "How to Win at Checkers" is director Josh Kim's debut feature film.

Kasal  Kasal  R
Joselito Altarejos
Philippines / 2014 / Color / 111mins

Life is always dramatic with Sherwin and Paolo. A lawyer and an indie film director, they have been together for three years. One day, the couple goes to Sherwin's hometown to attend the wedding of his pregnant teenage sister Mary Jane and her teenage husband Bong. Before, during and after the wedding ceremony, Paolo and Sherwin see more clearly how they stand in the public eye, and make very important decisions about their own relationship. It's an examination on how a gay couple navigates through the different institutions in Philippine society.

The Second Life of Thieves  The Second Life of Thieves  PG
胡明進WOO, Ming-jin
Malaysia, Switzerland, Netherlands / 2014 / Color / 87mins

In a small fishing village in Malaysia there are no secrets, unless you are the village elder Mr. Tan. One day he discovers that his wife has disappeared and the rumor is that his best friend Mr. Lai accompanied her. This bit of news is particularly disconcerting for Tan, since he has hidden a love affair with Lai for decades. Tan embarks on a journey with Lai’s daughter in search of past loves and losses. With a fluid camera and poetic lens, director Woo Ming Jin travels 30 years through time to capture the mysteries of the heart and longings of the soul.

Starting Over  Starting Over  PG
Takashi Nishihara 西原孝至
Japan / 2014 / Color / 94mins

Nana, 18 and a high school student in Tokyo, has her hands full dealing with the people in her life. Her mother is in the hospital for clinical depression. She has a stepfather she dislikes from whom whom she wants to keep as far away as possible. There are also the older men who pay her to watch them masturbate. The only joy in Nana’s life comes from Marin, another girl at school. Their friendship blossoms into romance and the two become inseparable. But Marin wants to hide their relationship and becomes furious when she learns about Nana’s side job.