“East Bay,” a comedy exploring what it means to have a successful life, opens May 31 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
Continuing to show is “Evil Does Not Exist.”
In “East Bay,” after a string of crushing personal and professional humiliations, Jack Lee (Daniel Yoon) accepts that at age 39 he is a failure. Worst of all, he’s let down his selfless immigrant parents. To get back on track, Jack reaches out to his friends: an almost famous guru (Kavi Ramachandran Ladnier), a respected arts administrator (Constance Wu), and two fellow computer programmers (Destry Miller, Edmund Sim), all of whom have problems of their own.
The fun, quirky comedy explores familial relationships and friendships. It is written directed and produced by Daniel Yoon, a Canada-based American with Korean family origins.
“East Bay” is not rated and is showing through June 6.
“Evil Does Not Exist” takes place in the rural alpine hamlet of Mizubiki, not far from Tokyo, where Takumi and his daughter, Hana, lead a modest life gathering water, wood and wild wasabi for the local udon restaurant. Increasingly, the townsfolk become aware of a talent agency’s plan to build an opulent glamping site nearby, offering city residents a comfortable “escape” to the snowy wilderness. When two company representatives arrive and ask for local guidance, Takumi becomes conflicted in his involvement, as it becomes clear that the project will have a pernicious impact on the community. Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s follow up to his Academy Award-winning “Drive My Car” is a foreboding fable on humanity’s mysterious, mystical relationship with nature. As sinister gunshots echo from the forest, both the locals and representatives confront their life choices and the haunting consequences they have.
“Evil Does Not Exist” is not rated and is showing through June 6.
Learn more about the films, including show times and ticket availability.
