Here are some choice picks from among today’s HIFFevents. For a full schedule and ticket information, visit www.hiff.org.
"A Leading Man": When a talented Chinese-American actor (Jack Yang) is fired from playing an offensive role on TV, he attempts to salvage his career by entering into a relationship with a casting director (Heather Mazur) who gets him auditions. When that fails, he takes up with a "celebutante" actress and is eventually forced to ask himself how much he must compromise for success. Written and directed by Steven J. Kung. World premiere, 8 p.m. today and 2:30 p.m. Friday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Documented": An uplifting and heartbreaking true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning Filipino journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who "outed" himself as an undocumented immigrant in the U.S. in 2011, risking his freedom and career. Hawaii premiere, 6:15 p.m. today and 7 p.m. Sunday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Juvenile Offender": A teenager (Seo Young-ju) taking care of his sickly grandfather ends up in a juvenile reformatory. The mother he thought was dead comes looking for him, and as they try to build a relationship, the youth finds it difficult to escape the cycle of misery. South Korea’s entry in the Academy Awards foreign-language category. Directed by Kang Yi-kwan. In Korean with English subtitles. Hawaii premiere, 9 p.m. today and 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch": The world premiere of the hourlong documentary by Angela Sun that provides insight into the potential health and environmental consequences of plastic overconsumption and pollution. Preceded by "Fishing Pono:Living in Harmony with the Sea," a half-hour documentary by Mary Lambert on the commercial exploitation of Pacific fisheries and how a Molokai program based on historical practices turned the tide on a seemingly doomed resource. 6 p.m. today and 11 a.m. Sunday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Blue Ruin": A classic American revenge story that follows a mysterious outsider (Macon Blair) whose quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier ("Murder Party"). Hawaii Premiere, 9:30 p.m. today and 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18
"Writers Accelerator: A Conversation with Bobby Moresco": A conversation with the Academy Award-winning actor, director, producer and writer ("Million Dollar Baby" and "Crash"), who recently finished writing the feature "Hubris," to be directed by Todd Field ("In the Bedroom"). 6 p.m. today, The Modern Honolulu, Waikiki; free
