UPDATE: I'm giving away five pairs of tickets to see Tre this weekend in West Hollywood or Pasadena. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for details.
If you're in Southern California, here's a very intriguing film you might want to check out... tomorrow's the theatrical premiere of Eric Byler's drama Tre, the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2003 film Charlotte Sometimes. It opens Friday, February 1 at Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood and Laemmle's One Colorado in Pasadena. If ths one's anything like Charlotte, you know Tre is going to be a very intriguing, challenging film about complex human emotions, relationships, and sex. View the trailer here. Here are some more details:
Eric Byler's new film " T R E " opens Friday Feb. 1st at Laemmle's Sunset 5 and Laemmle's One Colorado
SYNOPSIS Tre arrives unannounced at a secluded mountain home where his friends Gabe and Kakela allow him to crash on their couch. But Kakela becomes increasingly annoyed with Tre when he begins a revenge-fueled sexual affair with her best friend, Nina. As Kakela watches Nina's marriage unravel, she begins to question her devotion to Gabe. Unsure of her motives, she accepts a dare devised by Tre -- a simple 10-second experiment that changes her life forever.
Sexual competition and moral ambiguity are the only constants in Eric Byler's searing follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2003 Independent Spirit Award nominated film, "Charlotte Sometimes," the sexy anti-romance celebrated by film critic Roger Ebert as a "breakthrough for Asian American cinema."
"Tre" was co-written by Byler and lead actress Kimberly-Rose Wolter (Charlotte Sometimes) and stars Daniel Cariaga, Alix Koromzay and Erik McDowell. Winner of the Special Jury Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival, scored by Michael Brook (Charlotte Sometimes, Inconvenient Truth, Americanese), shot by Rob Humphreys (Charlotte Sometimes, Americanese, Dopamine).
Laemmle's Sunset 5 8000 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.848.3500 SHOWTIMES: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30 & 9:55 DIRECTOR and CAST Q/A's at Sunset 5: - Friday, February 1st after 7:30pm show - Saturday, February 2nd after 5:10pm & 7:30pm shows Buy Tickets Online
Laemmle's One Colorado 42 Miller Alley, Old Pasadena, CA 91103 626.744.1224 SHOWTIMES: 12:45, 3:00, 5:25, 7:40 & 10:00 CAST AND CREW Q/A AT LAEMMLE ONE COLORADO - Saturday following the 7:40 pm (cinematographer Rob Humphreys and writer/actor Kimberly-Rose Wolter) - Sunday, February 3rd after 3:00pm & 5:25pm shows (Director Eric Byler and writer/actor Kimberly-Rose Wolter)
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT: "'TRE' is painted on a more poetic, less political canvas for me. In life as with art, my aim is to give voice to those who find their self-identity challenged by a narrowing definition of what it means to be American. For the Asian American community (as well as the Latino community), there is a strong interconnection between the representation we seek in mainstream media and the representation we seek from our government. If you don't like the representation afforded you, you must seize the reigns yourself. In this way, my artistic and political endeavors are two sides of the same coin: one side has more political discourse, the other side has more sex scenes." — Eric Byler Jan. 2008
BYLER COMMUNITY STATEMENT: "The all-Asian cast I chose for "Charlotte Sometimes" confused some viewers because they had come to expect an overt political commentary when confronted with ethnic faces in American films. My follow-up "Tre" feature mixed Asian ("hapa") romantic leads and also ignores ethnicity, favoring humanity as its focus and theme. At its core, "Tre" is an exploration of how the idea of love, and our near religious faith in it, can lead us to make promises we don't intend to keep, to covet what is not ours, and to submit to impulses and compulsions we may spend the rest of our lives regretting. This can be true for an Asian American, a half Asian, or any person for that matter. In a sense, "Tre" reasserts the right of ethnic artists to tell stories about our communities without focusing on the issue of race…without political agenda. You might say that claiming this right is an artistic agenda with political implications." — Eric Byler Jan. 2008
So if you're interested in taking your date to the very very opposite of a romantic comedy, go check out Tre. And be ready to have a really challenging discussion afterwards. To learn more about the movie, visit the official website here. For those of you in other cities, the movie is scheduled to open at Facets Cinematheque in Chicago on February 8, and at the 4-Star Theatre in San Francisco on February 15.
UPDATE: Win free tickets to see Tre this weekend! With much thanks to the good people at Cinema Libre, I'm giving away 5 pair of tickets to see the movie, at any showing from Friday, February 1 through Thursday, February 7 (except for the Friday, February 1, 7:30pm screening). Just email me with your name, the theater location (Laemmle Sunset 5 in West Hollywood or Laemmle One Colorado in Pasadena), and the date and showtime (if possible), with TRE TICKETS clearly written in the subject line. I'll give the tickets to the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th persons who email me. Here's the theater/showtime information:
Laemmle Sunset 5 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90046 (323) 848-3500 Showtimes: 12:30, 2:45, 5:10, 9:55
Laemmle One Colorado 42 Miller Alley, Old Pasadena 91103 (626) 744-1244 Showtimes: 12:45, 3:00, 5:25, 7:40, 10:00
Here is a bunch of DISCLAIMER stuff provided by the distributor, so please read carefully: Winner is entitled to bring one guest to attend a showing of the film, TRE, at the theatres listed in this promotion. This film is not rated. Offer valid from Friday, February 1, 2008 through Thursday, February 7, 2008 only. NOTE: This offer is NOT VALID for the 7:30pm showing on Friday, February 1, 2008.
This promotion is not redeemable for cash, nor can it be exchanged for a ticket to any other Motion Picture. Some theatres may require payments of sales and/or admission taxes. No other promotion or offer will be accepted. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed. Please check local newspapers or call the theatre for showtimes.
We've been following along with this saga in Los Angeles for a little while now... three years ago, workers in Boyle Heights digging a subway tunnel for the Gold Line extension uncovered a large century-old collection of bones and artifacts, believed to be the final resting place of dozens of Chinese workers too poor to have been buried back in China and too little known to merit headstones. For Chinese American historians, it was like finding buried treasure. Basically, the discovery offered a rare look at a largely ignored facet of Los Angeles' history, the earliest generations of Chinese immigrants who came to California to help build the railroads and perform other menial tasks.
There is now a dispute, however, on what to do with the remains: An emotional custody dispute over history. Historians and some local elected officials say the items should be preserved and studied in order to build a better narrative of how early Chinese immigrants lived in America. But a local citizens' committee established to advise the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on the discovery believes the most respectful thing to do is rebury the 128 sets of remains as soon as possible.
Personally, I think studying the remains and highlighting the stories of how these people lived would be a great way of honoring them. These early Asian Americans died in poverty and anonymity, lacking basic rights. They couldn't vote, marry, own property or be buried at local cemetaries. Putting them back in the ground without any attempt to further identify them would be disrespecting them all over again. Tell their stories! I want to know more. The MTA's board of directors will have the final say in the coming months.
eight years later... does mccain still hate "the gooks"?
For some reason my mailbox has been flooded this morning with this San Francisco Chronicle story from eight years ago (dated February 18, 2000) about Senator John McCain's use of the racial slur "gook": McCain Criticized for Slur. He was using it to describe the prison guards who tortured and held him captive during the Vietnam War: "I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live." Yeah. That's racist!
McCain subsequently apologized, but that doesn't sound to me like the kind of thing you say you're sorry for and then you're just done with. Sure, he apologized for using the slur, but does that mean he just suddenly stopped hating "the gooks"? I mean, the man vowed hate them as long as he lived. Is this really the kind of man you want as President? I'm just saying.
But anyway, what I'm really wondering is what prompted this flash flood of emails pointing me to the article. Did SFGate.com link it from the top page? Did somebody link this article on a message board or something? It's currently the Most Read story on SFGate. Not that I don't think people should know about this. It just seems a little odd to dig up an 8-year-old story.
UPDATE: The story is currently linked at the Drudge Report and Digg.com. That explains everything. (Thanks Jian.)
If you're in the Bay Area, this Friday the good people at Hyphen are throwing a party to celebrate their 13th issue out on stands. It's the Hybrid issue! Have some fun, meet some friends, and enjoy the music of Cast of Thousands, Goh Nakamura and Aesthetics Crew. Here are the details:
Better Than Ghost Riding Your Prius
Come toast with a mixed drink at the Hyphen Hybrid issue release party. Throw down your krumpin' moves before your friend upstages you with her Bhangra skills as our DJs spin mashed up beats late into the night. Enjoy some mixed musical messages by Cast of Thousands, Goh Nakamura and Aesthetics Crew.
But most of all, simply just join us as we celebrate our latest release, the Hybrid issue. Be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine to check out our stories on feminist porn, South Asian hip hop, rising Asian American fashion designers and much more of the art, literature and cultural reviews you can't live without!
friday, February 1st, 9-2a @111 minna gallery, san francisco 21+ w/ID 9-2a / $10 ($20 with subscription @ 50% off price list!)
performing LIVE Cast of Thousands Aesthetics Crew Goh Nakamura
eclectic beats by Malicious Lee, DJ Psani, DJ Franchise, Modest Mark
***raffle and win a Nintendo Wii and other prizes!***
Sounds like it's going to be a good time. (Dude, is that Centaur Kip Fulbeck on the cover?) For more information on the event, as well as the latest issue, go here.
dudes in the news: stephen chao, michael chang, yul kwon, jin, hok konishi
Controversial former News Corporation executive Stephen Chao has announced plans to launch a quirky new educational how-to video site, WonderHowTo.com, to serve as an educational alternative for YouTube: TV Showman, Once Exiled, Returns With Video Site. From the guy that helped create Cops for Fox.
Michael Chang, who at age 17 became youngest man to win a Grand Slam title, was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame last week: Chang Elected to International Tennis Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be July 12 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum in Newport, Rhode Island.
Some more details on Yul Kwon's unsuccessful attempt to open a Red Mango yogurt store with some friends in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood: North Beach ties up 'Survivor' winner. Now he's stuck with an expensive 10-year lease, an empty storefront, and not much else to show for it.
Here's a short interview with Jin, rapper, outspoken Asian American, and supporter of Barack Obama for President: Jin the Emcee, Not the Politician. He insists he's not trying to be an activist. He's simply aware and speaking out. His forthcoming album is titled From This Day On, and I can't wait to hear it.
And here's a recent interview with Hokuto Konishi, aka "Hok," the talented b-boy contestant from the third season of Fox's So You Think You Can Dance: Interview with: HOK KONISHI. The guy is one hell of a dancer, with a really interesting background. Check out this clip of his audition for the show.
This article is a few weeks old, but it's worth mentioning... Ching Chong Song is back. It never really went away, I guess. Yes, the band with the obnoxious racist slur of a name recently got profiled in Time Out New York: The Chong show. They're alive and kicking and rocking the same name, and annoyingly unapologetic about it:
Of course, the most daunting obstruction blocking Ching Chong Song may be its name, a slightly anachronistic Chinese racial slur lovingly revived in recent times by Rosie O'Donnell. The musicians claim to have chosen the moniker simply for its onomatopoeic silliness—which was all well and good until they ventured onto a college campus. Last year, a show scheduled at Bryn Mawr was canceled following protests by a group of Asian-American students, while an NYU concert was picketed. "I really wish they had come inside and listened to our music," Gower, 28, says. "They would have understood where we were coming from. We’re full of love! We're totally not offensive." Oh, heaven's no! "I wrote an open letter to Bryn Mawr,” LaMendola says. "I told them, 'I would never call you a ching chong. I would call you retarded twats!'"
Yeah, that's mature. If you recall, last year they had a show at Bryn Mawr that got canceled following protests from Asian American students. Later, after another protested show at NYU, they claimed they were changing their name to "Church of Lurch." I guess that didn't stick, and they're sticking with the Ching Chong nonsense. That's racist!
A group of 10 nurses from the Philippines are under indictment in New York on charges of endangering the welfare of five chronically ill children and one terminally ill man. They are accused of walking off their jobs at the Avalon Gardens Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Smithtown in April 2006 without providing sufficient notice for the nursing home to replace them on coming shifts: Filipino Nurses, Healers in Trouble.
Okay, that sucks. But that's not the whole story. The nurses were brought to the United States in 2005 after being recruited by an agency closely associated with SenosaCare, a large chain of nursing homes in New York. This, of course, is not uncommon, as there are currently thousands of trained nurses working in the United States from the Philippines. These nurses walked off the job over shabby working conditions and several broken promises made by the recruiters and employers:
The nurses say that numerous promises made by the recruiters were broken. They signed individual employment contracts with particular nursing homes, but were sent to other facilities. They had been promised they could start working as registered nurses immediately, but found when they arrived that permit applications had not been processed. Some agreed to work as clerks in the interim, and were paid between $12 and $14 an hour, far less than the hourly wage for registered nurses. When they began working as nurses, their paid workweek was unilaterally reduced from 37.5 to 35 hours, and some received $24 an hour, not the $34 hourly rate they had been told to expect. Some nurses were not paid night shift differentials or holiday pay.
Complaints about these and other matters were ignored by the nursing homes. As one of the nurses explained, "We were treated like dirt." When the nurses complained to the Philippine Consulate General, they were referred to a lawyer, Felix Vinluan, who said that he would file discrimination charges against the nursing homes, and also that they would be within their rights to resign their positions. Twenty-six nurses and one physical therapist did so on April 6 and 7, 2006. These workers have been dubbed the "Sentosa 27" by their fellow workers and supporters.
Is this fair? Whether from the Philippines or home-grown, no nurse should be treated like a second-class laborer. The district attorney's office conceded that the patients suffered no harm, and acknowledged that it couldn't recall a similar prosecution against nurses in the state. But it said the nurses' crime was serious: four of the children they left behind were on ventilators that demand round-the-clock monitoring. If found guilty, the 10 defendants could each be sentenced to a year in jail and lose their nursing licenses. Their trial was scheduled to start Monday, but it appears that it will be put off until March.
Cool event happening in Los Angeles this Saturday, the AAPI GOTV Barack Obama Pre-Lunar New Year Party: For more information, visit www.AAPI.BarackObama.com.
Late last week, Comcast announced that it would be pulling the plug on AZN Television, "The Network for Asian America." The news broke relatively quietly, without too much publicity or outcry. It's not like the the network had legions of fans at this point. It never did, which was probably a large part of reason why it was so hard to attract advertisers in the first place. Still, the Asian American Journalists Association issued this press release expressing its disappointment with this development: Decision to Shut Down AZN Television a Huge Loss to Asian American Community
Jeff Yang's latest "Asian Pop" column delves into the behind-the-scenes details of AZN's demise: The AZend. In the end, it's pretty unfortunate news all around. While I can't say I was ever a huge fan of AZN's programming (or its hideous name), I was always glad it was around providing an additional broadcast voice for Asian Americans. Or at least trying to, for better or for worse. Now, after this and last year's demise of the MTV World channels, it appears that ImagiAsian remains the last network standing.
Interestingly enough, in its story about AZN's shutdown, the Hollywood Reporter mentions that although the network is getting cut, the Asian Excellence Awards show will still be happening this year as planned. Comcast will be moving the show to the E! Entertainment channel, which means a lot of people will be able to see it... if they still care.
On Monday, James Jackson, a former top Hollywood studio lawyer, and his wife Elizabeth were sentenced by a Los Angeles judge after admitting to mistreating their Filipino maid in a case of "modern-day slavery": Hollywood couple sentenced in maid 'slave' case.
The victim, former schoolteacher Nena Ruiz, was forced to eat three-day old food and to sleep on a dog basket after working 18 hours a day. And over the course of several months' employment between 2001 and 2002 she was paid only 300 dollars. Ruiz also said that Elizabeth Jackson regularly slapped her and pulled her hair. In passing sentence, U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer said that Jackson had treated Ruiz "worse than her dog." Disgusting.
It really sounds like the couple believed they had themselves a slave. And unfortunately, it's the kind of domestic slavery case we've been hearing about more and more lately. How does one find it in themselves to treat another human being like this? James Jackson was orderd to perform 200 hours of community service for admitting a charge of alien harboring. Elizabeth Jackson was given a three-year jail term after pleading guilty to a charge of forced labor. I hope she enjoys every minute she spends behind bars.
I'm voting for Barack Obama. I've been meaning to write this post for a while. Call it my official endorsement. I'm not Oprah, nor am I Caroline Kennedy, but I realize that I do have this little website. As long as I have an audience, and what I hope is a modest degree of influence, I want to share with everyone that I'm supporting Barack Obama for President of the United States, and urge others to do the same.
I'll admit it. I'm attracted to Obama's fundamental message of inclusion, hope and progressive change. He's built a campaign on cross-cultural, multi-generational grassroots movements and community building, and I believe he reflects what this nation needs—a radical change in direction of this country. It's a wayward ship, a broken record, a busted machine. I can no longer stand by idly and let the old political guard make the same old wack decisions for me. This election will be about how we will bring change, and for the first time in a long time (ever?), we're seeing the possibility that this race could be about something other than political dynasties and old white dudes.
Yes, I've been swept up by the positive energy of the movement and the true enthusiasm my fellow Asian Americans have dedicated to this campaign. Lately I've been hearing a lot of detractors refer to this message of "hope" and "change" as negative buzzwords, like we've all been suckered into believing in Obama's positive jive. If that's the case, so be it. Call me a sucker. I can't see what's the problem in having the audacity to believe that things could be different for a change. This is a time to come together, leave behind the things that divide us, and work towards the true change we wish to see.
For more information on Asian Americans and Obama, go here, here and here. I'll be revisiting this in the days and weeks to come, but I just thought I'd get it out there and let you know. Barack Obama for President.
I rarely watch MTV anymore, but the other day I happened to catch the live casting audition for Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew. I was glad I watched it, because I got to see one truly asskicking audition from Kaba Modern, an all-Asian American crew out of Southern California. They were easily the strongest group representing the West Coast, and completely blew the judges away with their spot-on routine. I loved it. Check out their performance here, through the magic of YouTube. I'll definitely be rooting for them when the show premieres Thursday, February 7 on MTV. That's when you'll get a chance to vote.
I don't know him myself, but Mike Song (the guy with the green-ish jacket) is the brother of a friend of mine. I didn't know this, but according to his Mike's profile on the MTV site, he's apparently the guy who got destroyed in this Kollaboration freestyle dance battle video clip that made David Elsewhere famous—now one of the most watched video clips of all time. Served! That's Mike in the beginning, at age 14. Looks like he's moved on from that defeat to bigger and better things.
UPDATE: I should add that Fysh N Chicks and Jabbawockeez also have Asian members in their crews. But I'll be honest, I'm mainly rooting for Kaba Modern.
This is outrageous. Last week in Seattle, Dimitri Sidorchuk faced charges of muder for the deaths of 23-year-old Sovintha Nhem and 20-year-old Sophea Sun, manslaughter for the accidental death of his friend William Shane Belk, and assualt for injuring three other young men in a confrontation in July 2006. For his crimes, he faced more than 80 years in prison. Instead, he'll serve 26 months—a year and a half, figuring in time already served: Man gets 1 1/2 years for 3 slayings. According to the story:
The shooting stemmed from a confrontation that began when Nhem, who had been asked to leave a Skyway bowling alley and casino with his friends, wandered into the yard of Sidorchuk's nearby rental home. The two exchanged increasingly heated words -- with Sidorchuk and Belk hurling racial slurs and Nhem's group shouting threats in return -- until Nhem and his four friends backed a car into Sidorchuk's driveway.
At that, Sidorchuk and Belk opened fire with semiautomatic weapons, shooting more than 20 rounds into the car. None of the young men inside were armed.
Deputies who later rushed to the scene discovered a marijuana-growing operation inside Sidorchuk's home, but no testimony about that was allowed at trial. This omission, as well as the double hung juries and the final agreement that Sidorchuk would be given little more than a two-year sentence, infuriated supporters of the victims.
Okay, so there was definitely a heated altercation here, and things got out of hand on both sides before the shooting started. But self-defense? Seriously? It says Sidorchuk and Belk unloaded more than 20 rounds into the car. Surely, his actions deserved more than just two years in jail. Can you really blame Nhem's cousin for expressing this sentiment: "If you're a dark-skinned person trying to live in a white-skinned world, justice is not on your side. I have learned that from this trial." Indeed.
Check this out... my man Tad Nakamura, live and direct from the Sundance Film Festival, got profiled in this CNN segment on "Young People Who Rock," for his award-winning short documentary Pilgrimage: Young filmmakers at Sundance. It's funny, after a very successful run on the humble AsianAmerican festival circuit, the film makes its way on to Sundance's prestigious schedule. Hell yes. I know I've talked about this film a lot here, but I can't praise it enough. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend seeking it out—it's an important, moving film about uncovering and reclaiming the past. Learn more about Pilgimagehere.
This weekend, the nation watched with great awe and admiration as Kirsten Hanglund was crowed Miss America 2008. Ooooh. Okay, not a whole lot of awe and admiration, as I imagine most of you probably don't give a crap. Understandable. However, it's worth noting that the one the pageant's runner-ups was Miss Washington, 23-year-old Elyse Umemoto: Wapato's Elyse Umemoto is runner-up in Miss America competition.
According to the story, she's got a pretty interesting ethnic background—one-quarter American Indian (Yakama), as well as German, Hispanic and Japanese. If she had won, she would have been the first Miss Washington to become Miss America. She would also have been the first Native American to wear the crown. And the first Hispanic American. As well as the second Asian American (the first was Angela Perez Baraquio in 2001). Alas, she was just a runner-up. More here (with video): Miss Washington comes close
aaldef's asian american election protection project
AALDEF, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, recently announced the details for its Asian American Election Protection Project for the 2008 Presidential Primary Elections. Attorneys, law students, and community volunteers will cover a hundred poll sites in four states where Asian language voter assistance is provided and where Asian Americans reported voting barriers or intimidation in recent elections.
They'll be monitoring elections in New York and New Jersey on Super Tuesday, February 5, and in Virginia and Maryland on February 12 for language assistance (ballots, interpreters, signs and voting materials) and non-discriminatory implementation of voter identification requirements.
Volunteers speaking Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese will be at poll sites to take complaints from voters about election irregularities and other obstacles. Voters can also report Election Day problems to AALDEF's toll-free hotline at 800.966.5946, or by e-mail to votingcomplaints@aaldef.org. One-hour training sessions for volunteers will take place at the following locations:
NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY - Monday, Jan. 28 12 Noon - Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Avenue, at 59th St.,Midtown Manhattan
NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY - Tuesday, Jan. 29 12 Noon - Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington Avenue at 53rd St., Midtown Manhattan 6:30 PM - White & Case, 1155 Avenue of the Americas, bet. 44th / 45th Sts., Midtown Manhattan
NEW JERSEY - Saturday, Feb. 2 3:00 PM - KAVC, 1562 Lemoine Ave, Fort Lee , NJ
WASHINGTON, DC / VIRGINIA - Monday, Feb. 11 12 Noon - Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, 1152 15th Street, bet. L and M Sts., N.W., Washington, DC 6:00 PM - APALRC, 1600 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC
For more information on AALDEF and the work their doing on Election Day, go here. Also be sure to read their recent report on discrimination faced by Asian American voters. Poll monitoring will help ensure that all eligible Asian American voters can participate in the electoral process and have their votes counted.
The Eye, starring Jessica Alba, hits theaters on Friday. It's Hollywood's latest effort (in a long string of many) to remake an Asian horror movie. Hell, this will already be the second Asian horror remake this year—One Missed Call opened in theaters the first week of January. Here's a New York Times story on The Eye and where it falls in with Hollywood's current fascination with the Asian horor trend: Screams in Asia Echo in Hollywood
As I've said in a previous entry, if you must see this Jessica Alba movie, do yourself a favor and make sure you first see the original movie, directed by Danny and Oxide Pang. You'll thank me. It's a great, creepy little flick that deserves to be seen spook-out fans. Who knows? Maybe this new one will be good. But I wouldn't count on it.
mirai nagasu wins u.s. figure skating championships
On Saturday, 14-year-old Mirai Nagasu wowed the crowd and won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, becoming the second-youngest woman to win the U.S. title: Nagasu wins U.S. title, gives skating newest star. Though she won the junior title as a complete unknown last year, the 4-foot-11 skater definitely wasn't the favorite to win this weekend... but kicked some serious ass on the ice. And to think, the girl is just starting out. Looks like she's got a heck of a future ahead of her in this sport. She will not, however, be competing at the world championships in March because she's too young. Skaters now must be 15 by the previous July 1, and Mirai doesn’t turn 15 until April. Next year, it's all hers.
This truly disgusts me. A Brazilian model plans to have nylon wires implanted in her eyes to give them an "Asian slant." No joke: Brazil carnival star eyes surgery record. In preparation for next month's Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Angela Mismarchi is having her 42nd plastic surgery—just five shy of the Guiness World Record—in order to have an Asian look, in line with this year's carnival theme of her samba group, Porto da Pedra: the centennial of a Japanese immigration to Brazil.
Ah, I see. This mutilation of your face is some kind of twisted homage to Japanese Brazilians? Ridiculous. Asians getting eyelid surgery to look "more white" is bad enough... but messing with your face to get the surgical "slant" as a costume device is downright disgusting. It's not flattering—it's just bizarre, you weird crazy lady. This woman's got some serious problems.
Okay, this is possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. He might be several years away from being eligible to fill out a ballot, but this kid is ready to rock the vote for Obama. Read all about it here: AAPI Babies for Obama!!! (Thanks, Oi-yan.)
Today and tomorrow are your last chance to vote for Kina Grannis, who is currently engaged in an online battle among three finalists to win a record deal with Interscope and have her video aired during the Super Bowl. To learn more about Kina and the contest, go here. Follow along with her video musings here. Watch the Super Bowl video here. And most importantly, vote for Kina here.
Remember all that hoopla last year when it was announced that actor Kal Penn would be teaching a class at the Unviersity of Pennsylvania? Well, class is in session, and Kumar's got your syllabus right here. For this semester only, Kal Penn is an adjunct professor in the Asian American Studies Department, teaching ASAM 109: Asian Americans in the Media: Prof. Kumar calls class into session
How cool is that? In addition to all the usual assigned reading, I imagine he'll be teaching a great deal from his own experience as an actor of color in Hollywood. He'll also be bringing in guest speakers like Margaret Cho, studio executives, and writer/director Jon Hurwitz, one of the guys behind Harold and Kumar. My only question is, will John Cho be invited too? You know those kids want to see a White Castle reunion.
Here's a little something fun and different... As I've mentioned, the Sundance Film Festival started last week and is now winding down. As an end-of-the-week treat, since people seem to like pictures, I thought I'd post some of the photos taken of actors and filmmakers at the portrait studio they have set up in Park City. Don't ask me where I got them. Most of the people in these photos will not be gracing the pages of People and Entertainment Weekly, so I figured it would be nice to highlight them here:
EDIT: I've been asked by the casting agent to take down this post. It was apparently "not supposed to get the word out into the community so well," whatever that means. Still, I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of this Rain Ninja Movie.
It seems to be the end of the line for AZN Television, going out with a whimper. After several years of limping along as a network programmed for Asian Americans, Comcast is shutting the channel down. The network will cease broadcasting on April 9: Comcast Pulling Plug on AZN Television
When it was launched a few years back, AZN was touted as a cable destination with the promise of original and imported program for Asian Americans. I remember going to a big fancy kickoff luncheon where they were saying it was the next big thing. It didn't take too long for the wheels to fall off though, with news of a major restructuring that laid off most of the network's staff, gutted original programming, and pretty much reduced the channel to recycled anime and dramas from Asia. Booooring.
It's been hanging in there for a while, even managing to put together a televised awards show—the sort-of-lame-but-what-else-have-we-got Asian Excellence Awards. But with all the trouble securing advertising, I guess it was time to pull the plug. I think most folks probably forgot that the network was around anyway. So be it. It was fun while it lasted, AZN.
Well, today's the day. Rambo opens in theaters nationwide. Sylvester Stallone returns to one of his most iconic roles, the Reagan-era one-man army we know and love, John Rambo. We've been following the progress of this movie for a while now, ever since an early script review hit the web, and then the first bit of really violent footage came out. Basically, it was Rambo in the jungles of Burma, killing lots of nameless, faceless Asian military men, in every manner possible. Yeah. Not very encouraging.
Well, I have seen the movie, and the rumors are true. Rambo kills a lot of Asian dudes in this movie. In fact, it is easily of the most violent movies I have ever seen. People get shot, stabbed, beaten dismembered, decaptitated, shredded, blown up, and violated in ways I have never seen on film. It appears that Stallone, who also wrote and directed the film, did not want to pull any punches when it came to depicting the stark violence of this area of the world. And that means a lot of dudes get killed.
It really isn't much of a movie. There's barely a story—more just a premise, really. Rambo is now living a solitary existence in the remote jungles of Thailand, catching snakes and stuff. A group of western human rights missionaries comes along, asking him to take them up the river to some refugee camps. Of course, the aid workers eventually get captured by the Burmese army, so Rambo has to go back in—armed with his trusty bow and arrows—and save them. Lots of killing ensues. The end.
At the very least, you have to respect Stallone for trying to shine a light on the brutal violence and mass murder of the Burmese-Karen conflict, a 60-year civil war most of the world has no idea is happening. I barely know much about it myself. But the thought of someone coming out of this movie feeling like they've learned a few things about world affairs... that's downright scary. The sad truth is, a lot of people will probably walk out of Rambo only remembering the marauding, raping, torturing, pedophiling, sadistic Asians who kidnap good white Americans and blow up people for fun. The evil Asians who eventually get what's coming to them... the Rambo way. Boo to that, I say.
It's worth nothing that there is actually one interesting Asian "good guy" character in the movie. Tim Kang plays En-Joo, one of the mercenaries who goes in with Rambo to rescue the missionaries. He doesn't say much, but he does come across as kind of a badass. I liked him. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that they deliberately wrote this Asian character into the story as a way of mitigating the image of the hordes of evil Asians that populate the movie. Perhaps to appease angry people like myself. "This movie can't be racist--there's an Asian good guy!" Whatever. Take it from me, unless you enjoy seeing lots of Asian people being blown to bits, Rambo is really not worth your time.
This week in downtown Los Angeles, a small group of North Korean refugees staged a rally to appeal for public support in their quest for political asylum: North Koreans sing for a chance at freedom. Accompanied by more than two dozen Korean American supporters, the group sang "We Shall Overcome" and "God Bless America" to bring attention to their plight. The refugees risked their lives to escape North Korea, but will have nowhere to go if the United States rejects their asylum appeal. God knows what will happen to them if they're not allowed to stay. North Korea is no joke.
This is an interesting story on New York's shrinking community of Cambodian Americans, who are moving elsewhere in the country for better opportunities and services: Little Cambodia, Growing Still Littler. Data from the 2000 census shows that the city's Cambodian population decreased by 31 percent from 1990 to 2000. According to a census analysis by the Hmong Studies Internet Resource Center, the decline occurred while nearly all the country's other Cambodian communities were expanding. They're moving to places like Long Beach, CA, Lowell, MA, and Minneapolis, where Cambodian cultural, religious and community centers are expanding and flourishing. And it's more than just donut shops.
Here's a brief profile on America's new generation of figure skaters, the young ladies who have the potential to be the next Michelle Kwans of the sport: Figure Skating's Next Ones Are Closing in on Their Moment. The new young challengers include 14-year-old Mirai Nagasu of Arcadia, CA, who made an impressive senior-level debut yesterday at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and gave defending champion Kimmie Meissner a run for her money: 'Wow' effort from Nagasu. There's also 14-year-old Caroline Zhang of Brea, CA, who has drawn the inevitable comparisons to Kwan, but did not do quite as well yesterday, landing at seventh. The road to the 2010 Winter Olympics has begun...
undoing and the air I breathe opening this weekend
Making plans for the weekend? Here are a couple of movies to check out... Chris Chan Lee's indie noir drama Undoing is making its final U.S. theatrical run at The ImaginAsian Center in Los Angeles, starting tomorrow, January 25. Cast and crew will be present at select screenings throughout the weekend for Q&A sessions, including Russell Wong, Leonardo Nam, Tom Bower, Julia Ling, Jose Zuniga, Mary Mara, Rain Chung and director Chris Chan Lee. Here's some information about this weekend's events:
FRIDAY and SATURDAY 7PM Q&A's following the screenings Cast members scheduled to appear: Russell Wong, Tom Bower, Jose Zuniga, Leonardo Nam, Julia Ling, Mary Mara, Rain Chung and Director Chris Chan Lee (Fri and Sat) & producers of the film. More to be announced soon!
Friday, January 25, 10pm - AFTER PARTY *Come celebrate with the cast & crew of Undoing and get $5 off admission with your ticket stub The Cabana Club 1439 Ivar Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028 This event is hosted by Go Productions and co-sponsored by KoreAM Journal.
Saturday, January 26, 4pm - PRE-SCREENING RECEPTION Come meet the cast & crew, then walk next door to see the 7pm screening with Q&A! Jalisco Inn Bar (NEXT TO THE THEATER) 245 S Main St Los Angeles, CA 90012 This event sponsored by CAPE, Drinks 'n Chatter, KoreAm Journal, Lodestone, Plan C Group, and Visual Communications.
Saturday, January 26, 10pm - AFTER PARTY CAFE BLEU 3470 W 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90020 (213) 383-0180 This event is sponsored by KoreAm Journal, Drinks 'n Chatter, Plan C Group, Cape and Visual Communications
For more information about the Undoing release festivities, check out the event updates over at Facebook. To learn more about Undoing, go the website here.
Also opening this weekend is Jieho Lee's debut feature film, The Air I Breathe, "a noir-driven romantic crime story that is half inspired by the Wizard of Oz, and half inspired by an Asian belief that we are all connected through 4 emotions: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love." That sounds like one crazy-ass movie. This will probably be the only time you'll ever see Sarah Michelle Gellar on this website.
Being an independent film, they were working with a relatively low budget, but managed to attract a pretty solid, high-profile cast that includes Forest Whitaker, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Emile Hirsch, Kevin Bacon, Julie Delpy, Kelly Hu, John Cho and Clark Gregg. The movie opens at select theaters in Southern California and New York, and expands to other cities on February 8. Here's a statement from director Jieho Lee that's currently being forwarded around:
Dear Friends,
I hope this email finds you all well and starting off 2008 on a great note. As most of you know, my first feature film "The Air I Breathe" will be hitting theaters soon and I just wanted to give you all a warm shout and ask you to please come out and support the cause -- and of course, to help spread the word!!
The film is a low budget indie--but we were able to wrangle a pretty talented cast that includes Forest Whitaker, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Emile Hirsch, Kevin Bacon, Julie Delpy, Kelly Hu, John Cho and Clark Gregg. In a nutshell, it's a noir-driven romantic crime story that is half inspired by the Wizard of Oz, and half inspired by an Asian belief that we are all connected through 4 emotions: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. For a synopsis and more info on the film--please check out our website at: www.theairibreathemovie.com, and also www.myspace.com/officialairibreathemovie. On our website you'll find blogs, photos, our trailer and my director's statement (under director's blog) that'll help frame the film for you.
I'm not promising you Shakespeare, but it's been playing to sold-out theaters on the festival circuit and the audience reactions have been extremely gratifying. Our film launches next week on Friday, Jan 25 in NYC & SoCAL (LA, Burbank, Pasadena, Irvine, Orange and Santa Monica) -- and then wider on Feb 8 in other select cities. The more butts we get into theaters on opening weekend will determine how wide they release the film--so I'm pulling all my get-out-of-jail-free cards and imploring each and everyone of you to come out on Jan 25 (and bring your friends)!!!! As an indie, we have very little money for marketing--and the Writer's Strike has thrown a wrench in allot of our affordable promotional outlets--which all means that this film will live and die by the viral sword! So anything you can do to help spread the word will be incredibly helpful to us (I'm encouraging you all to BE that annoying mass e-mailer for once in your life because every hit counts...think of this as a good-karma chain mail.
You can find a list of venues /screenings on our website (that will be continually updated) and I will follow up this email on wednesday with a final last blurb with exact times -- but for a quick snapshot I'm enclosing the info below:
CALIFORNIA - JAN 25 1) In LA: Laemmle Sunset 5 Theater (Director/Writer Q&A's on Friday & Saturday) 2) In Burbank: AMC Burbank 30 3) In Pasadena: Laemmle One Colorado 4) In Orange: AMC 30 at The Block 5) In Irvine: Regal/Edwards Westpark 6) In Santa Monica: TBD
NYC - JAN 25 1) AMC Empire 25 Theater (Midtown) 2) AMC Village 7 Theater (Downtown)
REST OF THE COUNTRY - FEB 8 1) PORTLAND: The Regal Fox Tower 2) SAN DIEGO: AMC Fashion Valley 20 3) SAN FRANCISCO: Sundance Kabuki Theater 4) SEATTLE: Regal Meridan 16 5) CHICAGO: AMC Piper's Alley 4 6) AUSTIN TBD 7) Other Cities/States pending (AZ, FL, TX)
INTERNATIONAL: Unfortunately, I have not been informed about international venues yet--although I know for certain that it will be playing in Italy, England, Germany, France, Korea and India. I'm sure there are more countries (last I checked was months ago) so please look out for it!
Thank you all so much for your support--and apologies for the mass email. You are all the bedrock that keeps things real for me so remember that and tell a friend!!
Hope to see you all very soon, and much Love, Light and Laughter to everyone in the new year~*
Jieho
Hopefully, Jieho's plea will intrigue you enough to get you into that theater seat. I'm certainly interested in checking it out. To learn more about the movie, check out the website here, and visit the movie's MySpace page here.
What in the world... can this really be? Lucy Liu's character on Cashmere Mafia, Mia, romantically involved with an Asian man? A real, flesh-and-blood Asian American man? That's Lucy Liu and Jack Yang as Jason Chun, who appeared on Wednesday night's episode.
Before you get all excited, here's a little story background. Their parents on the show apparently set them up on a blind date. Jason says he's not really into Chinese girls, and Mia admits she's only dated two Chinese guys before—back in junior high. But Mia decides to use him to make her ex (white guy) jealous. Somehow, the two end up actually digging each other. And kiss.
Kiss! Can this be television history before our eyes? Several people have written in claiming that is the first time two Asian American characters have been shown kissing on prime time network television. Can this be right? I've been wracking my brain for the last half hour and haven't been able to come up with anything. If anyone can think of a reasonable example that proves otherwise, let me know. I'm curious. Anyway, Jack Yang is slated to appear for another two episodes... which probably means the relationship won't last very long. (Thanks, James.)
UPDATE: A bunch of people have written in to point out Sun and Jin from Lost, who have done their fair amount of kissing during their three seasons on the island. In this context, they don't quite count, as both characters are actually from Korea, and are not technically Asian American. The same goes for Hiro and Yaeko on Heroes. Still haven't thought of anyone else....
UPDATE: I checked with my resident Gilmore Girls expert, and Lane Kim (Keiko Agena) and Henry Cho's (Eddie Shin) second season relationship doesn't count. It was sort of a secret relationship, and they apparently never actually kissed! How ridiculous is that?
However, a resourceful reader named Max has uncovered an episode of the now-defunct WB sitcom Off Centre, in which John Cho's character Chau kissed a girl named Allison. It's a flashback scene where Chau recounts his first sexual encounter. You can actually watch it here (it happens at around 18 minutes in). It's a really dumb episode, but it's there. A kiss.
I was pretty sure the Cashmere Mafia kiss wasn't the first Asian American kiss in the history of television. The Off Centre kiss probably isn't the first either. But the fact that we have to wrack our brains so hard, and reach into the obscure depths of our collective memory to think one... that says a lot. And it's pretty pathetic.
Just wanted to remind everyone again about this awesome opportunity to attend the 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. SFIAAFF presents the Southwest Airline I LUV FILM Contest. You could win a flight out and hotel stay in San Francisco, and an All-Access Pass to all the festival's films, events, performances and parties. It's a pretty awesome prize, and a hell of a way to experience the festival. But first you have to submit a 26-second video to enter for you chance to win... Here are the details:
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival presents the Southwest Airlines I LUV FILM Contest
Calling all film lovers! Win a trip to San Francisco, the 26th SF International Asian American Film Festival and more! Experience the excitement of the largest Festival of its kind with an All-Access Pass - over 120 Asian and Asian American Films, Live Music, Performances, Parties, and Celebrities.
We're looking for our next Festival Blogger. Do you have what it takes to be a Festival Blogger?!?! Tell us why you're the one! Submit a 26-second video message online and enter a chance to win a trip to SF in March 2008! As the Festival Blogger, the winner will write one blog about their whole experience at the Festival at the conclusion of their trip.
Grand Prize includes: - Roundtrip tickets for two (2) on Southwest Airlines - Four-nights stay at J-pop themed Best Western Hotel Tomo - $500 Shopping Spree at Macy's - All-Access passes for two (2) to the 26th SFIAAFF
Hurry!!! Submission deadline is January 25, 2008! Visit www.asianamericanmedia.org for more details and to submit your video online.
Good luck and see you at the Festival!
I'm telling you, this is one kickass contest. SFIAAFF is one of the best Asian American film festivals in the country, so winning this would be a serious treat. But you have to submit a video, and the deadline is this Friday, January 25. No big deal—it just has to be a brief 26-second video message, not a full-fledged epic production. The top six most original, creative and festive videos will be chosen from the entries, and then will be voted for online. Oh yeah, I'm one of the judges. For details and guidelines on the contest, go here.
This is a great story on the very first hockey player of Asian descent in the NHL, a Canadian guy named Larry Kwong who played for about a minute in a game for the New York Rangers in 1948: First NHL player of Asian descent beat long odds.
Unfortunately, after that one minute of play, he never got another chance at a professional game, not even to sit on the bench. Today, sixty years later, both his legs are amputated below the knee, and he's had to teach himself to walk again. It's pretty sad. But he deserves some respect as the first Asian player in the NHL, even if just for a minute.
Last week, Willie O'Ree was honored on the 50th anniversary of this becoming the first black player in the NHL. For Kwong, March marks the 60th anniversary of his debut... and yet no one from Rangers or the NHL has contacted him. Where's the respect? (Thanks, Chris)
ASPIRE is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Asian American high school and college girls with career development and leadership skills through shared experience and mentoring. They recently announced the first annual ASPIRE Outstanding Woman of the Year Award, celebrating outstanding Asian American women making a difference in their communities. The winner will be recognized at the 2008 Asian American Women in Leadership Conference on April 26 in Boston.
The grand prize winner will receive a trip to Boston to attend the conference, an engagement with a mentor from the ASPIRE professional network, a profile in an upcoming issue of Audrey Magazine, as well as a chance to meet the conference keynote speaker, Suchin Pak of MTV News.
This is about acknowledging, encouraging, and empowering young women. Do you know an outstanding Asian American woman who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them. For more information about the contest, including rules and guidelines, go here.
According to a new agreement reached this week between the United States and Vietnam, Vietnamese who entered the U.S. illegally after 1995 could now be forced to return to Vietnam: Illegal Vietnamese Face US Deportation. The deal has apparently been under negotiation for ten years. Vietnam had previously been reluctant to accept citizens back, and many immigrants in the U.S. have been living with deportation orders for years.
Now, this new repatriation agreement has sparked quite a bit of worry among Vietnamese immmigrant communities. For many, the United States has been home for a very long time—they've laid down roots, and have little connection now to their country of birth. This could end up being a sticky situation for a lot of families... Here's a story on reaction from the Vietnamese American community: A jolt in new Vietnam pact
Check it out. Funny man Steve Byrne is competing in Comedy Central's Stand-Up Showdown 2008. You can vote for him once a day this week until Saturday. Then Comedy Central will air the top 20 comedians' Comedy Central Presents special in the order you voted most popular, all day this Sunday, January 27th, starting at noon. Let's make my man Steve number one! Vote for him here. Just don't let Chelsea Handler win.
Looking ahead, Steve's got his very own one-hour special, Steve Byrne's Happy Hour, airing on Comedy Central in late March. It will be funny. Learn more about Steve Byrne at his official website, and visit his MySpace page. Lots of funny clips and stuff there.
This is for folks in the Bay Area... I recently heard from Christen Lee, Vice President of Political Affairs at the Korean American Coalition of San Francisco (KACSF), an all-volunteer organization committed to incrasing civic and political participation among the Bay Area Korean American Community. On Febrary 5 (Election Day), KACSF will conduct a poll-monitoring project in Santa Clara County. The purpose of the project is to monitor and ensure polling stations' complicance with the Voting Rights Act. And they need some of you, good readers, to volunteer as poll monitors. Here's the info:
Are you interested in the electoral process and want to learn more about it? Do you want to help ensure accessibility for voters from API communities? Volunteer to be a poll monitor in Santa Clara County during the California primary on February 5th!
The 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act guarantee that no person shall be denied the right to vote on account of race or color. The Voting Rights Act also guarantees protections to language minority groups, people with physical disabilities, and those unable to read or write. Poll monitors observe polling stations and interview workers to help ensure that polling stations follow the law. As a poll monitor, you will have the opportunity to serve your community and advocate for the rights of all voters.
Poll monitors will serve in teams of two for two-hour shifts. Orientation and training will be provided. All people with an interest in volunteering, democracy, or civil rights are welcome!
Sponsored by the Korean American Coalition of San Francisco in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
For more information, please contact Christen Lee. christenlee at gmail dot com
Sounds like a really important project, and a great way to get involved with the process, as well as doing your part to ensure that nothing shady happens at these polling stations, during a very important election.
Forget America's Next Top Model. Now in its 28th year, the Ford Supermodel of the World competition recently gathered fifty finalists in New York from around the world to compete for a $250,000 contract with Ford Models. After a big runway show with fancy walking and all that, the judges named Korea's Seung-hyun Kang the grand winner: Ford Names New Supermodel of the W. Well, all right. Take that, Tyra.
Last week, a majority on the executive board of the United States Chess Federation formally asked a member to resign amid allegations that he posted fake messages under other people's names on internet bulletin boards to get elected to the board: Member of U.S. Chess Federation’s Board Is Asked to Resign in Dispute Over an Election. Four of the board's seven members called for Paul Truong's resignation, prompted by a lawsuit filed last year by a former board member, Samuel H. Sloan. The suit claims that Truong and his wife, Susan Polgar, another board member, posted comments about candidates in the name of Sloan and others. Many of the comments were sexual in nature. That's right. Chess geeks play dirty. (Thanks, Brendan)
people stories: obama's sister, yul kwon, norm chow, yellowman clothing, american gladiator, joaquin lim
He's got her vote for sure. The New York Times has a few questions for Maya Soetoro-Ng, half-sister of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama: All in the Family. She and Obama share the same mother, but her father is from Indonesia. Yes, my friends. She is one of us.
Survivor winner Yul Kwon might be millionaire, but he won't be getting into the yogurt business anytime soon: 'Survivor' champ may not make it in S.F. Yul and a couple of friends apparently tried to open a Red Mango store, but the neighborhood ain't down with the chains. Well, there's always Congress.
It looks like Norm Chow, former offensive coordinator for USC, is returning to Los Angeles to join the coaching staff of crosstown rival UCLA: Chow joins Neuheisel's staff at UCLA as offensive coordinator. Interestinly enough, he had previously been under consideration for the head coaching position.
Meet Peter Mui, creator of the YellowMan clothing brand: Wearing pride on sleeve. The high-end brand's Asian-inspired designs are sort of "wearable tattoos," form-fitting shirts filled with all sorts of symbols of ethnic pride, by real tattoo artists. Sounds like cool, wearable art, but damn, they're expensive.
Here's a profile from the Orange County Register on Garden Grove firefighter Son Nguyen, a recent contestant on NBC's new version of American Gladiators: O.C.'s American Gladiator competes. At 36-years-old, he was one of the oldest contenders on the show, amongst much younger challengers
The Los Angeles Times has a story on Walnut, CA Councilman Joaquin Lim, who teaches about how local government should work to visiting Chinese officials at Cal Poly Pomona: City Hall is a class struggle. It seems that the city of Dalian has a few things to learn from the way things are done in the city of Walnut.
Nominations for the 80th annual Academy Awards were announced this morning. View the complete list of nominees here. Not much to get excited about. In fact, one very big thing to get angry about. So, no work by Asian Americans nominated. No big deal, that happens almost every year. Left out again. But to add insult to injury, we get Norbit scoring a nomination. For Best Makeup! If you recall, Norbit was last year's big stinkfest starring Eddie Murphy in various roles, most notably as an enormous Black woman and a stereotypical old Chinese man. Yes, Eddie was rockin' the Yellowface. For laughs, you know. It's maddening to consider that this kind of racist caricature is being honored as one of the year's best achievements in makeup, by Hollywood's most prestigious organization. It's a load of crap.
As it happens, this week Norbit was also nominated for multiple Razzies, the annual awards "honoring" the worst films of the year: Lohan, Murphy Lead Razzie Worst-Of Noms. Eight nominations—five for Murphy alone—including worst actor in the title role, supporting actress as Norbit's wife, supporting actor (as the "Asian" man) and worst screen couple for Norbit opposite either of Murphy's other characters. Murphy also shared a screenplay nomination for the damn. All this equals one of the worst movies of the year... and yet it scores an Oscar nomination? I don't think I'd be so mad if the nod was for, I don't know, sound editing or something. But makeup? Kick me while I down. Argh.
But anyway. If you're keeping score, the only marginally Asian nomination went to Mongol, Kazakhstan's entry for Best Foreign Language Film. Interesting. You may remember this film from several years back, when it first announced that very very white actor Channing Tatum would star as Genghis Khan... which of course, was ridiculous. Somewhere along the way, Tatum was dropped from the project, and Tadanobu Asano stepped in as good ol' Genghis. I just took a look at the trailer, and I gotta admit, it looks kind of cool. The movie is set to open here in the States on June 6.
This is not to be confused with Kazakhstan's other Mongol warrior picture, last year's Nomad, which was sort of meant to be counterprogramming to the not-so-flattering image Borat painted of his home country. I think that movie was in theaters for a minute or two, then landed on DVD shelves with some very 300-esque artwork.
What does this incident just seem all too familiar? Last week in Jamaica, New York, Baljeet Singh, a 63-year-old Sikh man suffered serious injuries during an unprovoked attack: Sikh Seriously Injured after Unprovoked Assault Outside NY Gurdwara. David C. Wood, a next-door neighbor to the gurdwara (Sikh place of worship), attacked Singh after he parked his car on the opposite side of the street. Wood began screaming at Singh incomprehensibly, swearing at him and calling him an "Arab," then punched him to the ground. Singh suffered a broken nose and a fractured jaw. All this happened very quickly and without provocation. That's racist! Wood was subsequently arrested and charged with four counts of assault, two of which are classified as hate crimes, and an additional charge of aggravated harassment.
Awwww yeah. It's that time of year again. For all you hip hop fans in Los Angeles this weekend, it's the 6th Annual Asian Hip Hop Summit, a two-day event featuring some of the most exciting up-and-coming hip hop acts from the community. Friday and Saturday, January 25-26. Six years strong and growing, with festivals expanded to numerous cities nationwide. This one's the original.
The first night, Friday, January 25, happens at the Airliner Club in Chinatown, and features the likes of Typical Cats, Swim Team, The Oddibles, Oddsequence, Rhythm Natives, and a crapload of others. Night two, Saturday, January 26, it's going down at the Summit Theatre in Koreatown, with performances from Souleaf, Red Blood Cell, Million $ Babies, 3 Strykes, and a crazy mess of dance crews. I've never even heard of half the acts in the lineup, but it sounds like it's going to be pretty awesome—you're bound to hear some true talent on the rise.
Good times. At the very least, go to see Typical Cats. I've been a fan of Denizen Kane, aka Dennis Kim, since his time with spoken word pioneers I Was Born with Two Tongues. Much respect. For information on all the performers, and a full schedule of the weekend's events, go here.
Yet another edition of Asians Behaving Badly... prison break edition. In Illinois, McHenry County jail authorities caught an inmate, 46-year-old Inhak Cho, trying to chip his way through the 18-inch concrete wall in his cell with a pair of self-made metal chisels: Cops: Algonguin man tried to chisel way out of McHenry County jail.
Not quite Andy Dufresne, Cho had been working on his little escape plan for one or two weeks, and had managed to make a hole about an inch deep and 18 inches wide, while concealing his work with toothpaste. Authorities discovered the hole thanks to a tip from a confidential informant.
Cho has been serving a six-year sentence for aggravated domestic battery and firearms offenses, and is also awaiting trial on kidnapping charges, which could get him 30 years. This stunt just earned him a new set of felony charges, including possession of a weapon in a penal institution and criminal damage of state supported property. That's another 15 years! More than enough time to devise a new escape plan.
ronald and christina in the the amazing race finale
I forgot to mention that father-and-daughter team Ronald & Christina made it to the finale of CBS' The Amazing Race, which aired tonight: Tacoma duo reaches "Amazing Race" finals. Though I never got a chance to watch the show, I'm told the pair were a couple of go-getters who scrapped their way to the very end, despite a rocky start. Unfortunately, they did not win, losing to a couple named Rachel and T.K. Oh, so close. Another two people enter the pantheon of Asian American reality TV stars...
So I've been hearing a lot about this new "Korean-themed" restaurant opening up in Times Square. Unfortunately, the restaurant's name is.... wait for it.... Chop Suey. No joke. After the fakest "Chinese" dish to hit American shores. Who's stupid idea was this? You can blame Zak Pelaccio: Is Chop Suey the Worst Name Ever for a Korean Restaurant? Okay, so Chop Suey's reps claim that the name is supposed to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to blended Asian cuisines. But come on. It's just about the most uncreative name for a new restaurant you could think of. What does that say about the food? I don't think I'd eat at this place just on principle alone.
Crazy news out of Hawaii.... Last week, a man was arrested in connection with the death of a toddler tossed on to the H-1 Freeway. According to witnesses, 23-year-old Matthew Higa threw the child of a pedestrian overpass to his death, then calmly walked away and smoked a cigarette: Suspect babysat toddler thrown onto H-1.
Police took Higa, who has four outstanding misdemeanor warrants, into custody after finding him hiding in some bushes on a nearby street. He was charged with the second-degree murder of 23-month-old Cyrus Belt, who he lived in the same apartment building with: Grief drapes over Hawaii highway
There are, of course, questions of what would drive someone to such a gruesome act, and whether or not Higa has a history of violence or mental problems. Though, here's some video of Higa yelling at a news crew that leads me to believe the guy definitely has some issues.
Been busy as hell lately. Did you know there's a presidential race happening? Yesterday, Senator Hillary Clinton won the vote in the Nevada Demcratic caucuses, giving her a second consecutive victory in what looks like will be a lengthy, drawn-out race for the Presidency: Vote of Women Propels Clinton in Nevada Caucus
I bring this up because for weeks now, I've been getting invitations from a bunch of Asian American folks who headed out to Nevada in support of Obama. "Vegas, baby!" they urged me. I couldn't make it out, but I was really interested to see what's going on with this movement...
According to a press release I received last week, over 30 Asian American artists, filmmakers and activists, including Yul Kwon, Kelly Hu, Mora Mi-Ok Stephens, Amyn Kaderali, Eric Byler and Annabel Park, and others converged in Las Vegas to promote Asian Pacific American participation in the Nevada Caucus. Pretty interesting, because this community of activists mobilized itself primarily through networks like YouTube and Facebook. According to the press release I got received last week:
Primarily connected through networks like YouTube and Facebook, this newly formed online community will see members from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, WashingtDC, and the San Francisco Bay Area meet in person for the first time. "We created a Facebook event page called 'Vegas and Obama, Baby!' and within hours people starting signing up to join us," said Byler. "W
shelves with some very 300-esque artwork.
