Thirty-five years ago to this today marked the end of the Vietnam war, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese and American casualties and the insurrection of Communism in South Vietnam. During this chaotic war-torn period, several families were torn asunder and were forced to evacuate their homes. I can only stress that this landmark event has impacted several Vietnamese and American lives, including my own. That is why April 30 is commemorated as a public holiday in Vietnam, and it is known as Reunification Day or Liberation Day (Ngày Giải Phóng).
I feel compelled to share a short film that I shot with author Lac Su about a year ago which takes you through a journey of his past revisited after fifteen years. The inspiration for this short came from his memoir I Love Yous are for White People and how he had been affected during his transition from Vietnam to America. He also posted a great story on CNN iReport that’s worth taking a look at.
But April 30 shouldn’t be remembered as the day that a nation fell, but rather how the Vietnamese overcame one of the greatest struggles in modern history. Along with Lac, there are several other accounts of Vietnamese Americans who have struggled and endured obstacles and came out to lead very productive and successful lives. I believe that these experiences should be shared to enlighten and educate both younger generations of Vietnamese American and Americans. I cherish these stories as treasures. It also happens to be one of the main reasons that inspire me to capture these stories and share them with the world.
(NOTE: Diana from DISGRASIAN posted a great story as well. Read it here.)
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The legendary Bruce Lee, would have turned 70 years old this year. And while it may or may not be difficult to imagine him as a septuagenarian still beating down bad guys, what can’t be denied is decades after his passing, he remains as influential as ever.
In tribute to and in celebration of the martial arts, action film and cultural icon, the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (which opened last night at the DGA), in association with his widow, Linda Lee Cadwell and daughter Shannon Lee and their Bruce Lee Enterprises, are organizing a Special Bruce Lee Program at this year’s festival tonight (Friday, April 30) at sundown at the new Madang Center Courtyard in Los Angeles’ Koreatown with a free screening and other events throughout the weekend.
The Bruce Lee celebration kicks off with a free outdoor screening of THE CHINESE CONNECTION and after party tonight and continues the tomorrow at noon with a special screening of ENTER THE DRAGON followed immediately by a panel discussion entitled, “How Bruce Lee Influenced Pop Culture” featuring daughter Shannon Lee, directors Reginald Hudlin (HOUSE PARTY, THE BOONDOCKS) and Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR, X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND), ENTER THE DRAGON co-star Bob Wall and musician Joseph Hahn from the rock band LINKIN PARK.
For the celebration’s finale, a special panel discussion entitled, BRUCE LEE: THE FAMILY MAN featuring Linda Cadwell and Shannon Lee and Goddaughter Diana Lee Inosanto takes place 4 p.m. Sunday at The Directors Guild of America. This event is free.
THE BRUCE LEE 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION is part of the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, which also features 170 films from over 20 countries beginning April 29 and ending on May 8, 2010. For more information on the film festival go to: www.vconline.org/festival
Shopping With GASP!
The Asian American Students’ Association (AASA) Proudly Presents:
State of Asian Pacific America House Party 2010
Sunday, May 2nd 1:00-3:00pm
Asian American Activities Center (A3C) Couchroom (Old Union Clubhouse)
(520 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305)
Join us as we listen in on a conference call with some of the most prominent Asian American leaders enjoy FREE Vietnamese sandwiches. We’ll get getting updates from the White House, Congress, and grassroots activists on the progress we made this past year. The conference call will feature:
· Kalpen Modi, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement
· Mike Honda, Congressmember (CA-15), Chair of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
· Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
· Ami Bera, Candidate for U.S. Congress (CA-03)
· Marissa Graciosa, Director, Fair Immigration Reform Movement
(For more info about the speakers, please visit http://apap.pbworks.com/Speaker-Bios)
After the call, we’ll have the opportunity to write up a report about the issues that are important to us and post it on the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP) website with pictures! This will become a record of the issues that AAPI’s around the country are talking about. A compiled report will even be sent to the Obama administration!
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=121601617855456&ref=mf
This nationwide event is hosted by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP) and cosponsored by the United States Student Association – National Asian Pacific American Student Caucus and Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
For more information about the event or to find other house party locations, please visit http://www.apaforprogress.org/save-date-2010-aapi-house-party-may-2nd-updated
UPDATE: The winner is Dariane! Please enjoy Karin Anna Cheung’s portrayal of “Angela Yang” and Archie Kao as “Mystery Man.”Here is the winning entry: I really want to see this movie because I’d like to be able to finally see an Asian American female character who is open about her sexuality; she owns it unlike other images we see of the submissive or objectified exotic types. And I have to admit (ONLY for the sake of the contest) that I’ve been a fan of Archie Kao since he was on Lost Galaxy. It’ll be cool to see his acting chops in this film.
While most of the people who made this film are based in L.A., the first local public screening of ‘The People I’ve Slept With‘ is happening this Saturday night at Visual Communications’ Los Angeles Asian Pacfic Film Festival.
Aside from having a fun film to watch, you should go to this event because the afterparty (reception) is going to be off the hook! TPISW is presented as one of the Centerpiece films so most of the cast and filmmakers will be there, along with a contingent of folks from 8Asians as we cheer on one of our own. (We shouldn’t have to tell you again that Koji is the writer/producer, right?!)
I actually saw this movie last November when it was screened in Taipei for the Golden Horse Film Festival and I can’t wait to see it again! It is fun, funny, and features many, many crushworthy folks.
Enter our giveaway or you can still buy tickets if you don’t want to leave things up to chance.
What you could win from 8Asians:
A free pair of tickets for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival AMERICAN CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION of ‘The People I’ve Slept With’ on Saturday, May 1 at 7:00pm at the DGA, plus entry to the reception afterwards!How do you enter?
All you have to do is to leave a comment telling us why you want to see this and one lucky winner will be selected!Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Friday, April 30 at 5pm (Pacific Time)
ONE winner will be selected and contacted that evening.Rules for entering:
1) Please be serious about using the tickets– unused free tix suck!
2) Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.Prize courtesy of: 8Asians
UPDATE: Congrats to our giveaway winner, ginahagg!
After reading Jen’s review of ‘Dancing Across Borders,’ I wanted to know more about filmmaker Anne Bass, who is also a major patron of the U.S. dance community.
Even though Anne is the Director/Executive Producer/Producer of the film, she became a filmmaker by accident. Anne had a long history of involvement in the arts and Cambodia stemming from her background as a philanthropist and serving on the Boards of various prominent ballet schools and companies. But on a fateful day in 2000 in Angkor Wat, Anne was in Cambodia with the World Monuments Fund, and the dancer in the film, Sy (Sokvannara Sar), was performing with a traditional Cambodian dance troupe. His performance and charisma stayed with her and she eventually brought Sy to the US to train as a ballet dancer. With his family on the other side of the world, Anne began videotaping Sy’s dance training so that she could keep Sy’s parents informed on his progress. However, as she started showing people the footage, her friends encouraged her to turn it into a documentary… and here it is.
Both Sy and Anne Bass will be in person for the Bay Area Opening Weekend to audiences in San Francisco (Opera Plaza Cinema), on Saturday, May 1 for a Q&A after the 6:45 show and to introduce the 9:10pm show. They will also appear at the Shattuck Cinemas (Berkeley) on Sunday, May 2 for a Q&A after the 5:10pm show. Following the Q&A in Berkeley, there will be an informal “meet-and-greet” in Lot 68 Lounge, adjacent to the theatre lobby.
Want to check it out this weekend, Bay Area folks?
What you could win from Landmark Theatres and 8Asians:
A free pair of tickets for Opening Weekend (4/30/2010) in SF (Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema) or Berkeley (Landmark’s Shattuck Theatre)!How do you enter?
All you have to do is to leave a comment with your preferred location and one lucky winner will be selected to go!Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Friday, April 30 at 12noon (Pacific Time)
ONE lucky winner will be selected and contacted that afternoon.Rules for entering:
1) Please be serious about using the tickets– unused free tix suck!
2) Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.Prize courtesy of: Landmark Theatres and 8Asians.
Sy Sar & Anne Bass Photo credit: Brigitte Sire, W Magazine
Republished with permission from Projekt NewSpeak.
I recently attended a meeting for the city of LA’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Committee. I was very excited to get involved and see what great things were being planned. A heard that a group of dedicated community reps and city employees came together to organize a month-long celebration of Asian Americans. About twenty minutes into the meeting, my excitement turned into doubt, doubt then led into frustration and confusion.
What happened?
Come to The People I’ve Slept With screening at this year’s Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and will be playing on May 1 at 7 pm. There will be a Q&A after the film as well as a light reception!
The People I’ve Slept With is a sexy romantic story about a promiscuous young woman (Karin Anna Cheung of Better Luck Tomorrow) who unexpectedly gets pregnant and must find out the identity of the father… now! Together with her gay best friend and co-worker (Wilson Cruz of He’s Just Not That Into You, My So-called Life), the two go on the hunt through her past hook-ups and dates to find the baby’s daddy. The film co-stars Archie Kao (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Lynn Chen (Lakeview Terrace, Saving Face) and screen legend James Shigeta (Flower Drum Song, The Crimson Kimono).
For more information about the movie, go to www.thepeopleivesleptwith.com
To buy tickets, go to
http://asianfilmfestla.org/2010/program-guide/program-22/
‘Dancing Across Borders‘ is a documentary featuring Sokvannara (Sy) Sar, a beautiful Cambodian dancer who caught the eye of Anne Bass, a huge supporter of ballet in New York City. The documentary follows teenaged Sy as he transforms from a traditional Cambodian dancer into a Western ballet dancer in only a year. Incredible journey aside, this story had additional significance because it documents Sy as the first ever professional Cambodian (Western) ballet dancer. It’s a fantastic story, and I’m glad I saw it.
I couldn’t help thinking that underneath the nice, surface story of Sy’s unusual development as a dancer laid a deep sadness– by following this path, Sy is taken away from his family and everything he knows. On top of the grueling life of training as a dancer– the difficult private ballet lessons with Olga Kostrizsky, the beloved famous teacher of Baryshnikov and other ballet greats– it must have been a struggle to live in America while not knowing English. Interestingly, Sy doesn’t seem to express a great love for dance during the documentary, but has an air of someone who was given a great opportunity to make something of himself abroad, and he was simply doing what he needed to do to survive.
The movie ends triumphantly as Sy makes his way as a professional dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet, but the post-script rumor is that he’s moved on and not doing ballet anymore. I hope his next step is inspired by what he wants to do, and is not determined by his peers, his sponsors or mentors.
The film’s running time is 88 minutes; it is not rated. Primarily in English; partly in Khmer with English subtitles. It opens at Landmark Theatres Engagements on Friday, April 30, 2010, including Landmark Theatres in San Francisco and Berkeley, as well as other cities and dates nationwide.
Representative Mike Honda recently wrote an op-ed piece on the Huffington Post on why Arizona SB1070 — the country’s strictest anti-illegal immigration law in decades — is relevant to Asians and Asian Americans: “As a Japanese American who spent part of my childhood in an internment camp, I know all too well the effects of scapegoating and racial profiling. I suffered through what happens when governments pass policies based on fear and misguided attempts at law and order. [...] Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform, and we must do it now to avoid a patchwork of state measures that do not fundamentally fix our country’s broken immigration system, and that will lead to profiling and discrimination in our communities.”
- Japanese American heroes, bereft of bitterness. (WP, via NEAATO)
- House in Georgia, heart in Vietnam. (CNN)
- Asian Conan now has its own web series on comedy site FunnyOrDie. (h/t: Julie T.)
- 12 Filipinos stuck and discriminated against in Frankfurt when the volcano erupted in Iceland. (PDI)
- Olivia Munn strips for circus elephants. (Hollywood Life, via IIstix)
1, 2 or 3 starting from top of screen to bottom
Most people who follow my antics from POP 88 would know I LOVE watching Global Talk Show, an informal round table of “foreigners” living and working in Korea. Since my last post about this show, it has gone through a controversy which resulted in the entire production crew being fired resigning, added some male eye candy as a result (Poh, rowr!) and seems to have now gone through a format change involving questions relating to differences in perspective.
So here’s the question:
Which Tennis ball is in front?
For some, the question is easier than others, but personally I had to rethink after blurting out that the one at the bottom, no. 3, was in front.
Although the ‘expert’ tried to relate it to Eastern vs Western mentality, the differences in perspectives are quite interesting in their interpretations regardless of citizenship. Many times fellow colleagues are thought of as ‘incompetent’ because of the numerous questions they may ask that seem trivial to their fellow co-workers. Course, just by the example of the first question as to which tennis ball is in front – the differences in interpretation is fairly broad.
I thought it was very interesting around the 12min mark, Christina from Italy who is an International Law Professor, spoke about the difference in how families deal with arguments amongst their kids. They then related back to the Virgina Tech massacre and how Koreans were apologizing on his behalf and why the western world didn’t think the apology was necessary.
If you continue watching the second part the business card exchange amongst different cultures is quite hysterical.
While flipping the channels last week, I caught this video clip by TMZ cornering a very friendly actor Ken Jeong to ask him — for no apparent reason — if Chinese or Koreans are smarter. Proudly wearing his Duke baseball cap, Ken confirms that he is a medical doctor by training (from, of all places, UNC-Chapel Hill). TMZ then goes on a tangent asking if it was racist to think that Asians are empirically smarter, citing their presence at UC Berkeley and their admissions rate. Given past studies, it definitely looks like the televisino show is trying to stretch a brief 30 second clip into something bigger.
Searching for this clip led me to find another one featuring Ken waiting for his parents to arrive at the airport, humorously pointing out the paparazzi who follow him. Who knows if this was taped during the same time, or TMZ just happens to be stalking him.
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