Any kid whose parents encourage them to take an active interest in thinking and writing about movies -- as opposed to wasting away their extracurricular hours standing on a grassy field hitting a ball with a stick -- is tops in my book.

At the ripe old age of 11, Perry Chen's resume boasts work as a film critic, restaurant reviewer, blogger, and symposium speaker. At age 11, my mom was still wiping away my milk mustache and tying my shoelaces -- together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AENgDwv-F10

Normally reticent and reluctant to appear before a camera, I couldn't refuse P.C.'s request for an opening night interview at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. (Sorry it took so long to get this up, but the lady at the Photomat misplaced the order.) It's often odd when a friend publicly grills you with questions that have long since been answered in private, but Perry rolled with the velvet punches.

Those of you expecting a W.C. Fields vs. Baby Leroy confrontation will no doubt admire my restraint when the mention of Hugo, Martin Scorsese's upcoming Thanksgiving offering, doesn't seem to register with Perry. Admittedly, the Young Master is not aged enough to have been edified and transformed by His disciples, Jake and Travis. I gotta' get a copy of Kundun in this boy's hands. He's prime for a sequel!

Don't fret over the R rating, Perry. It's for His violent use of color.

Thanks for the interview, my prodigious young colleague. I'll be knocking on your door when you turn 17 with DVD copies of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull in tow.