Just wrapped up a weekend at the LA Asian Pacific Film Fest and I've got three hot docs to recommend: two new flicks -- "Whatever It Takes" and "Burma VJ" -- and one that's 20 years old, but a classic -- "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On".

I'll review my "three to see" plus other juicy picks from the fest in my next blog, but first let me give you a taste for the event where I caught these flicks: The LA Asian Pacific Film Fest.  The fest is hosted by Visual Communications, one of those rare LA media organizations that truly is all about the community.  VC's been putting cameras and screens in the hands of LA's Asian-American community for 40 years.  That would be, like, a century in normal city years!  Check out all VC's workshops and screenings at www.VConline.org.  Become a member!  It's hip 2 B VC.

VC's community and energy is so vast, their annual blow-out film fest is one of those Hell-A highlights that make all that traffic worthwhile.  First of all, a great setting gives it a great vibe.  Half the events take place in downtown LA, always fun, but the fest kicks off at the sumptuous Director's Guild of America on the Sunset Strip...

...with all the screenings and shmoozing packed into one beautiful space.   And parking's free!

Even the press lines go down in the lobby, so no matter what you show up for, you're bound to see something interesting.  I showed up for the opening night gala screening of Children of Invention (winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Favorite awards for narrative film).

Enjoyed the film, but the highlight of that night for me was getting officially Sunset Stripped -- being elbowed in the ribs by none other than actress/media whore Bai Ling.  I was standing in her photo op.  Bai Ling, there promoting Dim Sum Funeral, was as ubiquitous at the fest as she is on the Strip:
 
Day three of the fest: Bai Ling on Sunset Boulevard promoting festival sponsor Toyota...and Bai Ling.
Bai Ling was excited to see: Bai Ling in print.

I was there to write about docs for the International Documentary Association, so I didn't "rub" elbows with any stars other than Bai Ling (for a taste of that read this guy's blog).  But I did drink in two celebs at a panel called "The New Hotness":

Hot Leonardo Nam ("He's Just Not That Into You", "Tokyo Drift") and hot Brian Tee (co-star of the "Crash" TV series) discussed their contribution to the rise of Asian males as sex symbols.  Visual Communications' own "new hottness", their new Exec Director Shinae Yoon, moderated:

And since girlfriend's from Chicago, she was not only ultra stylish, but opened with this: "Growing up, were your sexual fantasies about Caucasian women or Asian women?"  This fest's not just about film!  It's also about revving up the conversation!  Look for a webcast of "The New Hotness" and all the other panels at the fest next month on VC's website.

Here's Shinae with another VC cutie, Anderson Le (direct from Honolulu and the Hawaii International Film Fest) who came on board this year to help out with programming.  Glad to have you in town, Anderson!

Anderson was excited to see: "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On".

VC also throws a mean party.  Their first mixer was at Wokcano in Santa Monica (That's right, I could drink all night and still make it home!  Thanks bartender Katie for my custom Champaign Mojito!).

Derrick and Mike were excited to see: Hot, young female filmmakers.

New York's own hottness Liliana Chen enjoyed a cold beer at Wokcano after a day scouting films for NYC's Asian American International Film Fest.

Liliana was excited to see: "Who Killed Vincent Chin?" 

To find out why Liliana Chen sez the 1987 film "Who Killed Vincent Chin?" changed her life, why I think the new film "Whatever It Takes" should get an Oscar nom, and which films I think were the hottest docs at this year's LA Asian Pacific Film Fest, click and enjoy!