D I S C O V E R:
A Nigerian Cyberpunk film at Siff
The annual Seattle International Film Festival is back after last year’s hiatus. Now for the first time ever, attendees can stream the three week festival from home and watch featured films on their own time.
On the top of our must-see list is the film This Is My Desire from Nigerian directors Arie and Chuko Esiri. Set in Lagos, the film follows two Nigerians who try to improve the lives of their families by attempting to find a better future in a foreign city. After plans collapse, they are confronted with realizations about how what they seek isn’t necessarily found elsewhere. A beautiful and gracefully shot film with striking notes of cyberpunk throughout, this cinematic experience is not to be missed.
Check out the entire SIFF film roster here, and don’t sleep on Seattle’s most extensive foreign film festival!
T R Y:
A Hawaiian/Japanese Gastropub in the International District
What used to be Kaname Izakaya in the International District is now Itsumono, a new gastropub fronted by chef Sean Arakaki. Chef Arakaki, a Hawaiin native, previously worked at Eden Hill before opening this delightful gastropub where he cooks up playfully indulgent and delicious pub fare. The menu features dishes like a teriyaki take on a traditional burger, steaming bowls of Saimin, curly fries dusted in nori, and a Karaage-Nashville hot chicken mash-up. Arakaki’s more gourmet background comes into focus via the ever-rotating line-up of daily specials that have more of a haute vibe (and are frequently highlighted on their instagram account).
Itsumono is Japanese for “regular,” and you will soon become one after trying this new International District gem. The restaurant is now open for take-out and some dine-in, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9:30pm.
L I S T E N:
To some poetry during National Poetry Month
April is national poetry month, which means it’s a great time to read, write, or listen to some poetry. All throughout the city, terrific poets will be hosting readings. We’re particularly excited about poets like Portland’s Kim Stafford who will read alongside Claudia Castro Luna, the Washington State Poet Laureate on April 21. Also on April 21, Tamiko Beyer will read from her book Last Days. A little later in the month you can catch award-winning poet Natalie Diaz, author of When My Brother Was an Aztec via the Seattle Arts & Lectures Series.
And if you’d like to let the springtime season inspire you to try your hand at some verse, check out Hugo House’s generative poetry workshop provided by resident Jeanine Walker, who will be sharing some poems and prompts on Wednesday April 14 at 6pm. RSVP for this free event here.