Time:
2010 7月 13 19:00 - 21:30

Language:
In English

Summary:
Special Sneak Preview Screening:"Today's Special"
followed by a Q&A session with the film's director, David Kaplan
Tuesday, July 13, 2010. 7 p.m. 20th floor

US, 2009, 99 minutes
Directed by David Kaplan
Written by Jonathan Bines, Aasif Mandvi
Produced by Lillian LaSalle, Nimitt Mankad
Starring Aasif Mandvi, Naseeruddin Shah, Harish Patel, Jess Weixler, Dean Winters

Film courtesy of Inimitable Pictures

Description:
The Movie Committee is pleased to welcome New York filmmaker David Kaplan to Tokyo to screen Today's Special, as he heads to Korea to premiere his latest film, Play, in competition at the PiFan Film Festival.

Billed as a "foodie comedy" and set in New York, Today's Special follows Samir (Aasif Mandvi of The Daily Show), who works as a sous chef in a posh French restaurant. "His life is a fast-paced blur of bubbling butter, lamb chops and cilantro oil," as one critic put it, and he dreams of "a seemingly certain promotion to head chef at a soon-to-be opened SoHo restaurant. To his parents' disappointment, however, he hasn't married and ignores all of the dating profiles that his mother (played by the doyen of Indian cooking, Madhur Jaffrey) sends him." When Samir’s career dreams are dashed, he finds himself heading home to Jackson Heights, Queens, and his parents'rundown restaurant, the Tandoori Palace.

Scrumptious food, Bollywood songs, budding romance and offbeat characters fill this hilarious, heartwarming ode to food, family and New York, which also stars Bollywood legend Naseeruddin Shah(Monsoon Wedding), Harish Patel (Run Fatboy Run), Jess Weixler (Teeth), Dean Winters (30 Rock) and Kevin Corrigan (The Departed).

Today's Special screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, London Film Festival and was the opening night film at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. A Japan release has not been scheduled.

Director David Kaplan's latest film, Play, was commissioned by the Independent Television Service (ITVS)for their ongoing series FutureStates. His first feature film, Year of the Fish, premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically in 2008.It received a slew of Best Film awards around the world, and was nominated for the Piaget Producers Award at the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards. Kaplan is renowned for his short films, including Little Red Riding Hood, starring Christina Ricci and Quentin Crisp,
which premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, was shown in theaters and on television throughout the world, and has been taught as part of the curriculum at Harvard, Oxford and Columbia Universities.

For those who wish to eat right before the film begins, a picnic dinner is available at a cost of 1,365 yen,including: a sandwich inspired by the film (Curry Spiced Chicken Wrap with Cucumber Raita, Tomato, Peppers, Coriander & Salad), beverage, popcorn and tax. A vegetarian sandwich is also available for those who notify us in advance. To help us plan food preparation, please reserve by noon on the day of the screening at the FCCJ Reception Desk (3211-3161). Please pick up your ticket at the front desk from 6:00 pm before collecting your picnic and beverage choice at the lobby bar.
Cancellations received after noon on the day of the screening will be charged in full.

You may attend the film without ordering a picnic dinner. Please make your reservations at the FCCJ Reception Desk (3211-3161) to allow for seating arrangements.

All movie screenings are private, noncommercial events restricted to FCCJ members and their guests.

Karen Severns, Edwin Karmiol, Movie Committee