Pearls of the far East

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST
By Director Cuong Ngo
Encore screening
Canada/Vietnam |  103 MIN |  HD SR  |  COLOUR

 

Following the overwhelmingly successful and sold-out World Premiere at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, the producers of Pearls of the Far East have organized a special, public encore screening. 

Encore screening information:
Sunday Nov 20, Royal Cinema (608 College), 2:30 pm
Tickets: $12.00

 

SYNOPSIS: 

The inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women form the beautiful string that runs through director Cuong Ngo's feature film debut, Pearls of the Far East.

 

Adapted from award-winning stories by Minh Ngoc Nguyen, produced by award-winning filmmakers Igor Szczurko & Tom Yarith Ker, Ngo weaves a vivid, timeless and unforgettable tapestry with characters brought to life by a gorgeous cast of acclaimed talent from Vietnam, US and Canada, including actresses Truong Ngoc Anh (The White Silk Dress, 2006), Nhu Quynh (Vertical Ray of the Sun, 2000), Hong Anh (Moon at the Bottom of the Well, 2009), Ngo Thanh Van (The Clash, 2010, The Rebel, 2007), Minh Ngoc Nguyen (who also wrote the screenplay based on her own stories), and the legendary Kieu Chinh (Joy Luck Club, 1993).   The breathtaking images and spectacular landscapes from the north to the south of Vietnam, beautifully lensed by Mikhail Petrenko, show sides of the country distinct from most Western depictions and frame the mysteries and deep secrets of these lives.  With a haunting and sensual musical score by composers Alexina Louie and Alex Pauk that enhances the film's quiet beauty,Pearls of the Far East invites audiences to enjoy a meditative journey that illuminates the universal thirst to love and be loved.

 

Tickets are available to purchase in advance online at TicketWeb (http://www.ticketweb.ca/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4096755) or in person at the theatre box office 30 minutes before the screening’s start time.  The producers and crew will be on hand for a Q&A after the film.

SYNOPSIS:
 

Pearls of the Far East

Pearls of the Far East

PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST

By Cuong Ngo

World premiere at the 2011 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

Canada/Vietnam | 103 MIN | HDCAM | COLOUR

Screening:

Nov 13, Royal Cinema (608 College), 5 pm

Director Cuong Ngo and cast are available for interviews at the following times:

- Legendary Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh, Nov 12 to 14, 2011

- Writer/actress Ngoc M. Nguyen, Nov 12 to 14, 2011

- Actor Thai-Hoa Le, Nov 7 to 21, 2011, Thai Hoa will attend the whole festival both in

Toronto and Richmond Hill.

- Director Cuong Ngo, in Toronto Oct 31, Nov 1 and Nov 6 to 14, 2011.

The inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women form the beautiful

string that runs through director Cuong Ngo's feature film debut, Pearls of the Far

East.

Adapted from award-winning stories by Minh Ngoc Nguyen, produced by award-winning

filmmakers Igor Szczurko & Tom Yarith Ker, Cuong Ngo (pronounced 'Kun Nyo')

weaves a vivid, timeless and unforgettable tapestry with characters brought to life by a

gorgeous cast of acclaimed talent from Vietnam, US and Canada, including actresses

Truong Ngoc Anh (The White Silk Dress, 2006), Nhu Quynh (Vertical Ray of the Sun,

2000), Hong Anh (Moon at the Bottom of the Well, 2009), Ngo Thanh Van (The Clash,

2010, The Rebel, 2007), Minh Ngoc Nguyen (who also wrote the screenplay based on

her own stories), and the legendary Kieu Chinh (Joy Luck Club, 1993).

The breathtaking images and spectacular landscapes from the north to the south of

Vietnam, beautifully lensed by Mikhail Petrenko, show sides of the country distinct from

most Western depictions and frame the mysteries and deep secrets of these lives. With

a haunting and sensual musical score by composers Alexina Louie and Alex Pauk that

enhances the film's quiet beauty, Pearls of the Far East invites audiences to enjoy a

meditative journey that illuminates the universal thirst to love and be loved.

World sales are handled by Jean Mercier, Mercier Films Inc. T: (514) 287-9002 E:

jmerc56488@gmail.com

For press materials, please email orientalpearlsmovie@gmail.com

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Matt Guerin

Associate Producer

orientalpearlsmovie@gmail.com or cell: 416-846-2171

Pearls of the Far East

Pearls of the Far East

Agarwood

The Agarwood Tea  Agarwood tea is healthy tea made from leaves of the agarwood tree. Recent studies show that these leaves are rich with genkwanin glycosides- natural chemicals widely known as having cosmetic benefits. It is said that genkwanin glycosides are capable of removing mercury efficiently. Agarwood tea that contains genkwanin glycosides has many dietary benefits and is believed to help slowing down the aging process. Our agarwood tea is made from 100% pure, fresh agarwood leaves. It contains no additives, preservatives or artificial color. It is indeed a compelling product of nature. Agarwood Tea Produced in Vietnam Recently, agarwood tea has gained acclaim for its positive effects on health. Therefore projects for planting agarwood trees to provide tea to the Japanese market have become active in some countries like Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. However, not all agarwood tea is the same in quality or taste. Agarwood tea originated in Vietnam, the country of the most prized variety of agarwoods. It is very popular due to its sweet taste. Our agarwood tea is especially high quality- it is produced in sanitary conditions from abundant resources of top notch agarwood leaves. Our agarwood trees are cultivated and grown in natural conditions without any uses of fertilizers or other chemical components. This agarwood tea is produced from pure, fresh, hand picked agarwood leaves. No additives at all are used. It is indeed a compelling product of nature... Agarwood(Gaharu) is a very precious medicine, has a very special flavour, can stimulate the brain cell activation in the cerebral cortex, the visceral can run of benign. Agarwood leaf contains a lot of anti-aging, anti-cancer drug ingredients, and it helps improve one’s look Benefit of drinking Agarwood(Gaharu) Tea: Strengthen the heart Reduce Blood Sugar Reduce Blood Pressure Improve Sleep Beauty Eliminate Constipation Degreasing Good Aphrodisiac Eliminate Flatulence Eliminate state of being drunk Eliminate Asthma Vietnam, Country of the Most Valuable Agarwood: Kyara

The Agarwood Tree, also called the Aquilaria or Gyrinops tree, is a species that belongs to Thymelaceace genus. Agarwood is an aromatic resinous wood that forms within those trees.  Aquilaria or Gyrinops tree once grew in the rainforests of Asia but are now considered endangered in most countries and are rarely found in natural forests. Under some circumstances (infected with parasites or fungus), the agarwood trees produce resins as a defense mechanism. Under certain conditions, after the passage of time these resins accumulate on the wood to form resinous wood that emits a special aromatic perfume. Because of the resinous accumulation, the specific weight of agarwood is larger than water and as a result will sink. This is the reason why agarwood is also called “chinsui" (sink in water) or “chinsuikou" (incense that sinks in water). The resins produced by agarwood have special aroma and is therefore very valuable. In fact there are several prized varieties of agarwood that emit a very special aroma. These agarwoods exist solely in Vietnam and are known as “kyara”. In ancient times, people held kyara as a treasure more valuable than gold. Besides its special and elegant perfume, kyara is also used as valuable medicine. Agarwood can also be found in other countries of Southeast Asia besides Vietnam. Agarwood varies in different areas in shape, color and aroma. Vietnamese agarwood is considerably different to the others species in color and scent. Worldwide, Vietnamese agarwood is the most popular due to its sweet scent.

Agarwood Oil, Oud

Agarwood oil, also known as Oud oil, Aloeswood oil, Eagleswood Ud, Kiara, etc., is an extremely rare and precious natural oil obtained from several species of Agarwood (Aquilaria sp.) trees. Agarwood originates in North Eastern India, Bhutan and parts of South East Asia, especially Vietnam and Cambodia and also the Philippines and Indonesia including Papau New Guinea. Agarwood has a very long history of use as a medicine, incense and as an aromatic oil. In the Bible it is known as aloes or aloeswood. There are several species of Agarwood, the most important species are: Aquilaria agollocha, A. malaccensis and A. crassna. Aquilaria malaccensis is endangered and protected worldwide under the CITES convention and A. crassna is listed as endangered by the Vietnamese government.

The Oud that we carry is from Aquillaria agollocha, and it is plantation–grown in Assam, India, which was originally one of the richest areas of naturally occurring agarwood trees. While there are still wild agarwood trees to be found in inaccessible forest regions, they are extremely rare and very difficult to obtain. By purchasing agarwood oil from cultivated trees, we are not doing damage to the last remaining wild agarwood trees, nor to the forests in which the precious agarwood trees grow.

Agarwood trees must be infected by a fungi, prior to producing an oleoresin which saturates the wood. This oleoresin saturated wood is where the mystical fragrance of Oud originates. There are many grades of agarwood, and the highest quality wood is extremely expensive. In fact, the first-grade wood is one of the most expensive natural products in the world, with prices of up to $13,000 per pound (thirteen thousand US dollars per 16 ounces!) for top quality wood. The essential oil from wild agarwood trees is likewise one of the most expensive oils in the world. The wholesale price for a relatively decent quality oil is around $1000 to $1400 per ounce. The finest Oud oil would, of course, be much more expensive.

Please realize that this oil is from cultivated trees, and is not considered a high quality agarwood oil. It is however, a very nice oil at a very affordable price. It is pure and unadulterated, which is more than can be said for much of the agarwood oil or oud that is for sale on the open market.

The Oud CO2 extract that we carry is a very viscous, dark brown oil. It is non-sticky and can be applied directly to the skin (in minute amounts) or can be thinned in jojoba oil or other carrier oil. Eden Botanicals' Agarwood oil may also be mixed into your own essential oil blends. For mixing purposes you will need to gently warm the Oud in a water bath and add it drop by drop to your mixture. Then heat the blend and swish well. With this method our Oud CO2 extract will mix into your essential oil formulas or into carrier oils.

Agarwood is a very complex, deep woody fragrance, reminiscent of amber. Susanne Fischer–Rice, in her book, ‘The Complete Incense Book’, explains: “Agarwood has a balsamic, ambergris, woody, deep fragrance. To experience the many nuances of this unique substance is like a journey on the road to spiritual perfection”. It is highly prized as an incense in Japan and as an oil in the Middle East. Because Agarwood is so rare, and so highly valued in Japan and the Middle East (where most of it ends up), it is little known in the West. But agarwood is truly amazing, and should be experienced by any connoisseur of essential oils. You only need to use a tiny amount of agarwood at a time; be prepared for the slow release of its aroma over the next 8 hours.

Aquilaria species that produce agarwood

The following species of Aquilaria produce agarwood:^[17]

Aquilaria khasiana, found in India Aquilaria apiculina, found in Philippines Aquilaria baillonil, found in Thailand and Cambodia Aquilaria baneonsis, found in Vietnam Aquilaria beccarain, found in Indonesia Aquilaria brachyantha, found in Malaysia Aquilaria crassna found in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam Aquilaria cumingiana, found in Indonesia and Malaysia

Aquilaria filaria, found in China Aquilaria grandiflora, found in China Aquilaria hilata, found in Indonesia and Malaysia Aquilaria malaccensis, found in Malaysia, Thailand, and India Aquilaria microcapa, found in Indonesia and Malaysia Aquilaria rostrata, found in Malaysia Aquilaria sinensis, found in China Aquilaria subintegra, found in Thailand

Buy too early, pay too much for airfare

Buy too early, pay too much for airfare