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PRESS RELEASE 9/30/02
"Charlotte Sometimes" comes to D.C.
"Charlotte Sometimes" debuts the Asian American film festival circuit this October, with screenings at the D.C. Asian Pacific Film Festival, and the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Writer/director Eric Byler, a bi-racial Chinese American who attended three elementary schools in Fairfax County, says he is "excited but concerned" about sharing the film with an Asian American audience for the first time. "I think the jury's still out on whether I'm Asian enough to tell this story."
"Charlotte Sometimes" is a searing relationship drama that examines some hot-button issues facing Asian Americans today, including Asian vs. Western masculinity, intra-Asian dating, and interracial dating. "The film confronts some intimate situations with an honest, sometimes painfully honest approach," Byler said. "Both Asians and non-Asians have questioned my reasons for making the film. Even when I tell them I'm half Chinese, they still ask for justification."
The micro-budget miracle-- recently touted by Variety Magazine as "one of the best video to film transfers yet"-- has enjoyed critical acclaim and won prizes at mainstream festivals this year, but has yet to play at an Asian American fest. "Charlotte Sometimes" won an Audience Award at the 2002 South by Southwest Film Festival and a Special Jury Award at the 2002 Florida Film Festival, before playing to sold out screenings at IFP West/Los Angeles Film Festival this past June. Theatrical release is in negotiation and planned for early 2003. The film has also received DVD and video offers, and has been licensed for a cable premiere on the Sundance Channel.
"Charlotte Sometimes" stars Michael Idemoto ("Sunsets"), Jacqueline Kim ("Volcano, "Brokedown Palace"), Eugenia Yuan ("Three") and Matt Westmore ("Shakedown," "Baywatch"). Idemoto plays a reclusive auto mechanic who hides his love for a beautiful actress, Yuan, who rents an apartment in his inherited family home. The film's celebrated soundtrack features four songs by Cody ChesnuTT, whose debut album recently received four stars from Rolling Stone magazine.
The Friday October 18th screening at the Hirshhorn Museum will be preceded by Byler's short film, "Kenji's Faith"-- winner of six international awards, and nominated for a Student Academy Award in 1995. Byler and actor Matt Westmore will be answering questions after the screening.
For more info, check out these links:
NAATA's Justin Lowe reviews "Charlotte Sometimes" Variety's Robert Koehler reviews "Charlotte Sometimes"
Asian Connections interviews Eric Byler:
Ain't It Cool News's Moriarty reviews "Charlotte Sometimes"
Greg Pak of AsianAmericanFilm.com interviews Eric Byler on "Charlotte
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