XL Movies

Recommened Movies: South by Southeast: Films of Thailand and Vietnam

TUESDAY THROUGH FEB. 13

South by Southeast: Films of Thailand and Vietnam. Fresh off its Japanese anime series, the Austin Film Society rolls out more exhilarating Asian fare, with due focus on Southeast Asia, a hotbed of vigorous new cinema. South Korean film has been the most consistent in recent years, but Thailand and Vietnam — always strong players — are producing lushly evocative stories spanning all genres. The new series presents exemplary films from these bordering nations, starting with the 2004 Thai drama 'The Overture (Hom rong),' a story of a boy and his music, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Alamo South (1120 S. Lamar Blvd.). Five more titles follow at 7 p.m. each Tuesday through Feb. 13: 'Buffalo Boy (Mua len trau)' shows Jan. 16; 'Beautiful Boxer,' Jan. 23; 'Vertical Ray of the Sun,' Jan. 30; 'Last Life in the Universe,' Feb. 6; and 'Ong-bak,' the action stunner starring an elastic Tony Jaa, Feb. 13. Film details and tickets at www.austinfilm.org. — Chris Garcia