Homecoming Screening of “Extremely Unique Dynamic” Brings Ivan Leung Back To His San Diego Roots
The highly anticipated homecoming screening of Extremely Unique Dynamic, a hilarious and heartfelt stoner-bromantic comedy, is set to take center stage at Pacific Arts Movement’s 25th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) on November 10 at Regal Edwards Mira Mesa. This milestone festival will bring local filmmaker and actor Ivan Leung back to where it all began, honoring his ties to San Diego, SDSU, and Mira Mesa High School.
The film follows best friends Ryan and Daniel, who have spent their lives making videos together. Now, facing Ryan’s upcoming move to Canada, the duo has one last weekend to make their greatest film yet. Fueled by their creativity, iPhones, and a bit of marijuana, they embark on an ambitious meta-movie project about two best friends making a movie. As the lines between fiction and reality blur, the film delves into deeper themes—particularly when Daniel suggests plotlines that mirror his own insecurities around coming out and the fear of losing his best friend.
Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung in Extremely Unique Dynamic | Photo Credits to Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
Through this lens, Extremely Unique Dynamic offers a poignant exploration of queerness and identity, as Daniel grapples with revealing his true self. His journey of coming out, set against the comedic chaos of filmmaking, highlights the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and personal growth within the Asian American and queer communities. The film balances laugh-out-loud moments with touching introspection, offering a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is entertaining.
For Ivan Leung, this homecoming screening is more than just a showcase of his work. It’s a return to the city that shaped his creativity and love for filmmaking. Growing up in the vibrant and diverse community of Mira Mesa, Leung found his passion for storytelling during his high school years, often filming small projects with friends and embracing San Diego's multicultural backdrop. Now, he's bringing that passion back to his hometown.
Actors alongside Ivan Leung and Harrison Xu in Extremely Unique Dynamic | Photo Credits to Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
“Leung’s connection to San Diego runs deep. “To be a part of SDAFF is such a special honor to me,” Leung shares. “It’s the festival I’ve known most of my life, the festival that represents my hometown, and the festival that celebrates what makes up me as a person. I can’t wait to come home!“”
In addition to the hilarious antics and self-reflexive narrative, the film also carries an important message about Asian American representation in media. With Leung and Xu playing exaggerated versions of themselves, Extremely Unique Dynamic dives into the nuances of friendship and explores themes of belonging, identity, and personal growth – all within a comedic, meta-filmmaking adventure that will leave audiences laughing, crying, and reflecting.
Adding to the film's layers of reality and fiction, Fresh Off the Boat star Hudson Yang makes a cameo appearance, further blending the line between on-screen and off-screen dynamics.
Ivan Leung and Harrison Xu in Extremely Unique Dynamic | Photo Credits to Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
This year’s San Diego Asian Film Festival promises to be the largest yet, celebrating 25 years of empowering Asian American voices and uplifting diverse stories from around the world. With over 130 films from 30 countries, including world premieres and homecoming screenings like Leung’s, SDAFF continues to be a vital cultural event for both the Asian American community and the broader film industry.
The homecoming screening of Extremely Unique Dynamic will undoubtedly be a festival highlight, celebrating Ivan Leung’s San Diego roots and the power of friendship, creativity, and the endless possibilities that come from embracing who you are.
The film Extremely Unique Dynamic will be viewable on Sunday, November 10th, at 12:30PM at the Regal Edwards Theater in Mira Mesa. Tickets are available at https://sdaff.org/2024/movies/eud/!
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL:
Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is the most comprehensive portrait of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. Located in San Diego, California, Pac Arts is the presenter of the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, the largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast, and the Spring Showcase of Asian Cinema. The 25th SDAFF is scheduled for November 7-16, 2024. For more information, visit sdaff.org.