Honolulu Weekly

various films / It’s all subjective, of course, but how to choose from the 26 offerings in HIFF’s ninth annual Spring Showcase? We did our homework, read the trade papers, talked with people from other fests and, when in doubt, went by the track records of moviemakers in order to make our recommendations. Here they are:

Tsotsi (South Africa): Based on Athol Fugard’s play, this is the story of a young thug whose life changes after the car he hijacks turns out to have a baby on board.

Selling point: Winner of the 2006 Oscar for Best Foreign Film. (Fri 3/31, 6:45pm, Dole Cannery Stadium 18)

Lady Vengeance (Korea): The last in Park Chan-wook’s revenge trilogy, Lady Vengeance is, according to show-biz bible Variety’s critics’ roundup, a first-rate movie–and the best movie this director has ever made, a revenge classic in which an unjustly imprisoned heroine who, upon her release, seeks out those who wronged her.

Selling point: With Kill Bill action, the film shifts gears in its second half to examine the psychological implications of revenge. (Fri 3/3l, 9:30pm, Dole Cannery Stadium 18)

The Soong Sisters (Hong Kong, l997): A return engagement of the hugely popular historical epic, as helmed by Mabel Cheung, about 50 years of Chinese history as the sisters marry into political and sociological power–Sun Yat Sen, Chiang Kai Shek, H.H. Kung.

Selling point: Terrific performances by Michelle Yeoh, Vivian Wu and Maggie Cheung. (Sat 4/1, 3:15pm, Dole Cannery Stadium 18)< \c:

The Bow (Korea): Director Kim Ki duk (Spring, Summer, Winter, FallÖand Spring) returns with a gorgeous tale of love and sexuality.

Selling point: Director is the enfant terrible of Asian cinema, endowing his films with great, memorable power. (Sat 4/1, 9:l5pm, Sun 4/2, 12pm, Dole Cannery Stadium 18)

Look Both Ways (Australia): Sweeping nearly all awards at the Oz ‘Oscars,’ this genre-bender (live action and animation) is said to work beautifully, as its two plot lines converge meaningfully.

Selling point: Director/writer Sarah Watt is touted as the best new Oz talent in years, with people tossing the word ‘genius’ around cavalierly. (Sun 4/2, 6:15pm, Mon 4/3 3:15pm, Dole Cannery Stadium 18)

Friends With Money (U.S.): Indie with a stellar cast, all about a life-long quartet of friends whose lives are changing in dramatic ways.

Selling point: Good script and first-rate performances by Catherine Keener (Capote), Frances McDormand (Fargo), Joan Cusack (In and Out) and Jennifer Aniston, her best screen performance, they say. (Thu 4/6, 8:45pm Dole Cannery Stadium 18) n

For a full schedule of HIFF’s Spring Showcase films, [visitwww.hiff.org]. The festival runs 3/31-4/6.