Inaugurated in 2007 by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the Asian Film Awards (AFA) is an international event which aims to acknowledge the finest of Asian Cinema and bestow honor in various categories from filmmakers to artists across Asia.
This event showcases over 200 new films. Experience outstanding cinema and Anime with the heart of the Industry.
HK International Film Festival Society Limited
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Korean K-Pop Super Star Jung Hyun mixes tradional korean kukuk with modern electronic techno. Her first CD was "Let's go to my star." This is a great music video from a Korean Superstar. The CD is Avaholic.
The mission of JapanFest is to improve understanding and appreciation of linkages between Japanese and Americans residing in the Southeastern United States through an annual salute to Japanese culture and friendship entitled JapanFest.
This celebration will promote multicultural education, encourage social harmony, and ensure the cultural integrity of JapanFest by providing an appropriate mix of authentic contemporary and traditional programs on Japanese art and culture.
Malice Mizer is a Japanese visual kei metal/ rock band. They were active from January 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery". Their music has a strong French and classical influence. Despite the archetypes, Malice Mizer is best recognized as a thoroughly original entity. Here the band performs live with the Lead singer Gackt.
Multiplatinum Filipina Recording Artist Nina Girado performs the classic hit "I Love You Goodbye". English recorded in 2005 for Warner Music. Nina is the sister of Filipino singer Filbert "King" Girado Jr.
The 2015 Bankok International Film Festival will showcase more than a hundred feature and short films, representing the filmmakers from Thailand, the ASEAN region, and a selection of some of the most innovative films from around the world.
A beautiful story of love and untold heroism. A True story placed during the Japanese Invasion and The Rape of Nanking - December 13, 1937. A Chinese produced film in English and Mandarin staring Christian Bale.
In Vietnam, eating lots of sweets, making lanterns and dancing, are the ways to celebrate the Moon Festival, Tet Trung Thu. Children love to dance as the Dragon and Unicorn. The Moon Festival is a harvest celebration. It is one of the most widespread and popular Asian holidays.
The Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Harvest Festival--these are different names for the same celebration in China, Korea, Vietnam, and other countries. Originally arising out of the rice-growing cycle, this autumn festival was once a day of thanksgiving for the rice harvest. Based on the lunar calendar, it takes place when the moon is at its fullest.
During Zhongqiu Jie, in China, people make or buy colorful paper lanterns in a variety of shapes including animals and flowers. When candles are placed inside the lanterns, they glow like small moons.
In Japan the Hounen-Odori is the Japanese Moon festival. Japanese families celebrate the festival by eating rice dumplings, called "tsukimi dango".
In Korea, Chu-sok, the Mid-Autumn festival, is celebrated with rice and bean paste cakes called "songpyon".
From Moon Festivals in Hong Kong to Wicca Ceremonies in San Francisco, this festival is truely a worldwide event.
Baking moon cakes or dancing at your favorite vampyre club are some popular ways to celebrate your moon festival.
Ayu is a Fukuoka born singer-songwriter actress, dubbed the "Empress of Pop". Hamasaki has released hundreds of original songs covering a wide range of musical styles from metal to classical. The special live performance above from Rock'n'Roll Circus is her heavy metal pop side.
1/2 cup salted butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 can red bean paste or jam
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar and 1 egg yolk. Stir until creamy and combine completely.
2. Add the flour and mix thoroughly. Form the dough into one large ball and wrap it in aluminum foil. Put this in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Unwrap the chilled dough and, with clean hands, form small ballls in the palms of your hand. These are the moon cakes.
4. Make a hole with your thumb gently in the center of each mooncake and fill with about half a teaspoon of your favorite jam or red bean paste.
5. Brush each cake with the beaten egg yolk.
6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the mooncakes for about 20 minutes or just until the outside edges are slightly brown. Makes about 24 moon cakes.
Yosakoi is a style of dance that originated in the city of Kochi Japan in 1954. Yosakoi is a modern rendition of a traditional summer dance, Awa Odori. Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout Japan. This style of dance is highly energetic, combining modern music with traditional Japanese dance movements.
The costumes used by yosakoi teams vary widely. Happi coats and yukata are the most predominant. Typically, all team members wear similar costumes and colors.
One defining aspects of yosakoi dance is the use of small wooden clappers called naruko. Naruko were originally used in Kochi to scare birds away from the rice fields. Modern yosakoi groups create their own naruko, choosing colors that match their costumes.
