Film festivals have often been considered the breeding grounds for some of Hollywood’s latest and greatest upcoming talent preparing for the big screen, with cinematic pieces of all shapes and sizes coming out of truly original works, many of them having the potential to rise in fame and prestige. Alan Chan’s “Sakenara” was a prime example of this, as the film was presented to a candid audience at The Second Annual Backlot Film Festival last Friday, February 2nd at the historic Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills.

Packed with mystery and intrigue, the film begins with the mysterious death of Manny, an outgoing, upper-class corporate elite, and the frantic search by authorities to find his killer, with one of the prime suspects being a young call girl, Priscilla (played by Yvonne), who leads a double life as college student by day and tending to cliental by night, of whom Manny was one of them.

A classic film Noir, Sakenara captivates the audience as it depicts, through various flashbacks the dire struggles and sacrifices of Priscilla and others in the efforts to clear her name and find Manny’s murderer. Other characters include Jeremy (played by Peter Kim), a fellow student obsessed with Priscilla, Amy (Nella Vinci) a deceptive roommate, and a brothel mama-san only all too cruel and demanding of her employees, along with a cameo made by Director/Producer Alan Chan as Detective Peter Lee.

According to a statement by Chan said prior to Sakanara’s screening, the film was intended to break down certain stereotypes centering around the Asian community, as well as show some of the darker sides of life for a girl struggling to survive in a very cruel and unforgiving world.

Alongside the mystery of the murder are a few spots of humor, action and excitement mixed into the plot, making for a film very rich in suspense and entertainment.

Overall, the film was very well done, an excellent version of film Noir, with a catchy opening theme song specially crafted for the movie, and a cast truly embodied in their characters, with a twist in the story that completely took me by surprise in regards to the murder mystery and exactly who or what took Manny’s life.

For more information on Sakenara or any of the other films presented in the Backlot Film Festival, please go to www.backlotfilmfestival.com