Samina Faheem Sundas is doing the damn thing.
Continue reading "Bay Area Pakistani American Wins Jefferson Award"
Posted by neela at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)
One the perks of the AAIFF was seeing the work of friends and colleagues on the big screen. Ling Liu, director of Officer Tsukamoto, had her New York premiere last week. Ling and I met as students at Cal's Asian Studies Program (I dropped out; she didn’t.) In 2004, we entered the journalism program, where she produced her debut film.
Officer Tsukamoto takes us back to August 20, 1970, when a 28-year-old Berkeley police officer was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop. Ron Tsukamoto was born in the Tule Lake Japanese American internment camp, and became one of the first Asian American police officers in the country. During the early investigation of his death, police named the Black Panther Party as a group that would have supported the murder. But after a string of dead-end leads, the case closed—only to re-open more than 30 years later. It remains the only unsolved murder of a Berkeley policeman.
Ling flew in for the festival from Hong Kong, where she is a reporter for Time Asia. If she looks familiar, it's because she was an anchor reporter for Stir TV on AZN and the CCTV English Channel in Beijing. Here, she talks to Hyphen about her first documentary short.
Continue reading "Officer Tsukamoto at AAIFF"
Posted by Kai at 8:19 PM | Comments (14)
Years ago, I was sitting in an airplane when I overheard an older gentleman behind me talking about a film. "I just saw a movie that made me jump from my seat in applause!" His exhilaration was palpable—as if his seatbelt was keeping him from jumping up again. "Seabiscuit!" he exclaimed. "Yes, the horse movie."
During the tail end of the Asian American International Film Festival, Lee Jun-ik's King and the Clown seemed to have the same effect. No, I didn’t jump, but I sensed others wanted to. People were laughing so hard that the chairs were rocking, and during moments of hilarious suspense, they were cringing behind their hands.
Continue reading "Drag Queen Wreaks Havoc (King and the Clown at AAIFF)"
Posted by Kai at 1:49 PM | Comments (0)
Tie a Yellow Ribbon director Joy Dietrich. Photo by Seng Chen.
Joy Dietrich's film Tie a Yellow Ribbon will screen at AAIFF tonight at 9:15pm, and from what I understand, it's very close to selling out the theater. Also, there will be an afterparty a short walk away from the Asia Society at Stir with Dietrich, the actors, crew and producers.
I had spoken with Dietrich just hours before it's premiere in San Francisco. (My earlier post, with a synopsis, here.)
Continue reading "Joy Dietrich and Tie a Yellow Ribbon at AAIFF in NYC"
Posted by rebecca at 4:30 PM | Comments (0)
When I was younger, I was a hardcore reader. I read in every place that it was socially acceptable to do so — and even a few where it was not (church) or was technically challenging (the bath). I even had one of those little pocket lights that attached to the tops of books so I could read at night riding in my parents' car on the drive home.
I wanted to read more about Asian American kids like myself, but at that time Asian American young adult fiction basically meant Lawrence Yep , who was a big favorite of mine. Hungry for anything else that might reflect my community, I also read the entirely age-inappropriate Amy Tan, as well as books set in Communist China (Anchee Min) and modern Japan (Banana Yoshimoto - highly recommended!).
But I really wanted to read a Babysitter's Club that was about Asian Americans; a Sweet Valley High about Asian Americans; and a Sleepover Club about Asian Americans. I wanted to read books about teens who happened to be Asian Americans, like me, but where their ethnicity didn't define them or preoccupy them 24/7, like me. In my dream teen book series, they were just normal teens, who sometimes ate Chinese food but sometimes ate meatloaf for dinner. Their parents spoke English and didn't put pressure on them to study hard, get into Harvard, and marry Asian. They had crushes on other Asian Americans, not white classmates. Their friends were all Asian American.
I realize only now how unrealistic this is - or is it?
I ask you, readers: do you know any books today that portray Asian American youth in realistic, nonstereotypical, non-cliche ways?
Has my dream series finally become a reality?
Should I get out my reading light again?
Posted by lisamac at 3:45 PM | Comments (4)
I should have known better than to think that I could blog while on vacation in New York City. For one, I enter a time warp (especially when it's hot out, unlike the presently chilly San Francisco). Secondly, becoming the pack mule to my laptop while trekking around Manhattan in search of free wireless led me to realize why there are so many neon signs for businesses that say "Back and Foot Rub for Men and Women." So you can see why I lagged in posting about the good times had at the Asian American International Film Festival.
Justin Lin's mockumentary Finishing the Game was AAIFF's opening film last Thursday (here's what Neela thought of it at SFIAAFF), and the gala reception was held at the top floor of the Asia Society. Keeping in line with Finishing the Game, the party had a 70s theme, with a costume contest and a plane ticket for the winner to Hong Kong.
In spite of the rollergirl and the disco kings and queens, this dude won the contest:
"You even have red wine!" I said.
"I'm glad you noticed," he said.
Continue reading "AAIFF Parties Hearty"
Posted by rebecca at 9:57 PM | Comments (1)
As part of its publicity blitz for The Simpsons Movie, several 7-Elevens around the country have been turned into Kwik-E-Marts, just like the ones run by Apu, the Indian American store owner from the animated TV show.
Continue reading "Simpsons 7-Eleven Apu promos criticized"
Posted by harry at 9:15 AM | Comments (4)
That there above is the first published image of the forthcoming Best of Slant DVD. What is Slant you ask? Slant: Bold Asian American Images is a film festival I started 7 years ago in Houston. At the time, there wasn't much going on in terms of contemporary Asian American art in Houston. So I approached this microcinema, Aurora Picture Show about showcasing Asian American film.
Continue reading "Get Your Free DVDs at the Slant Film Fest"
Posted by melissa at 2:54 PM | Comments (0)
Image from Korean Resource Center
In the recent debate over immigration reform there was a lot of talk about the need for humane legislation for immigrant workers and families, but not enough discussion about how immigration reform would benefit undocumented students.
Immigrant students who are undocumented face big time barriers to higher education. The LA Times reported that every year, 50,000-60,000 undocumented students graduate from high school after having lived in this country for at least five years. And that’s just the reported number! Forty percent of those undocumented students live in California.
There are a whole lot of Asian students that are undocumented too, but you wouldn’t know from how the media has focused most of its attention on Latino immigrants. According to the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium Asians make up over 1 million undocumented immigrants. One out of five Korean Americans are undocumented.
Continue reading "Many Dreams of Higher Education Deferred"
Posted by carmina at 12:21 PM | Comments (10)
...or 'day-boo' as my pops would say.
What's next - vegan pan de sal?
Posted by lisamac at 5:58 PM | Comments (2)
Fine Arts and Literature
• July 6-Sept. 23: Celebrate American artist Hiroshi Sugimoto at the de Young museum with this retrospective collection of more than 100 photographs from 1976 to the present. Sugimoto’s black and white photographs explore the themes of time, memory, dreams, and natural histories.
• July 29: Readings by Tao Lin and Stephanie Young, with music and film by Ri Crawford. Join American novelist, poet, and short story writer Tao Lin in his first west coast reading and Oakland poet Stephanie Young.
Brought to you by Pegasus Downtown and New Yipes! at 21 Grand (416 25th St.. Oakland, CA). The show starts at 7pm, $5 admission. For more information, click here.
Film and Theater
• July 19 & 21: The 7th Annual Slant Film Festival: Bold Asian American Images
4 Star Theater (Clement & 3rd, San Francisco) and Aurora Picture Show proudly present this eclectic mix of Asian American short films.
Celebrate the Best of Slant DVD Release Party on July 19th at Kearny Street Workshop (180 Capp St., SF). Showing at 4 Star Theater on July 21. For more information, click here.
• July 5-22: (Thurs-Sun) Cowboy vs. Samurai, by Michael Golamco
The Asian American Theater Company brings to you this romantic comedy, "Cowboy vs. Samurai," a re-imagination of the "Cyrano de Bergerac" story with an Asian twist. The lives of the only two Asian Americans in the tiny western hamlet of Breakneck, Wyoming are turned upside down when the beautiful Veronica Lee, a Korean American teacher from New York City moves to town. Through irony, humor, and social commentary, "Cowboy vs. Samurai" cleverly exposes the struggle of Asian Americans to find their place in the vast American landscape...and with each other.
Showing at Thick House (1696 18th St., San Francisco). For more information, click here.
• July 19: Kickoff the Asian American International Film Festival, New York with Justin Lin’s screening of Finishing the Game.
The AAIFF ends July 28, so get your tickets now!
Community and Activism
• July 19: “Wait, is that gravy with my katsu?”
Food fanatics, join Third Thursday’s panel discussion on the authenticity of Asian American dining. Find that great Asian restaurant you’ve been craving for! For more information, click here.
• Aug.3: Community Night with the A’s
Watch the Oakland A’s battle the Los Angeles Angels in this benefit game, co-sponsored by Hyphen and the Asian Community Mental Health Services. For more information, click here.
• Aug. 4: APA Activist Training and Midwest Summit
Activists, student leaders, community leaders, and volunteers are welcome to join this progressive Saturday training provided by the DNC’s Parag Mehta, Filmmaker Eric Byler and more. Learn the basic tools of organizing including volunteer recruitment, planning events, targeting, phone banking and other useful campaign skills. For more information, click here.
Posted by choncy at 1:54 PM | Comments (0)
Hyphen is giving away TWO tickets to AAIFF's In Focus: Justin Lin
Continue reading "AAIFF Ticket Giveaways!"
Posted by lisalee at 1:33 PM | Comments (0)
Al, Tipper and the happy couple.
Al Gore's daughter, Sarah, married businessman Bill Lee over the weekend in Los Angeles. She's the former VP's kid, and by celebrity news standards, this event was pretty unremarkable. But, the new hubby is, at least from the pictures, Asian American.
Continue reading "Sarah Gore marries Bill Lee, so what?"
Posted by harry at 11:02 AM | Comments (38)
I am a bit embarrassed to say I spent the entire weekend shopping. I didn't mean to. But I just moved, and there’s always stuff you need to buy when you move. Also, I am the daughter of one-time Hong Kongers. Also, I am from Houston, Texas. So basically, I’m programmed to shop. I can’t help it.
Saturday I took a friend out for birthday dim sum. Then we hit Daiso. Daiso is a magical place. It's a Japanese dollar store where most items (but not everything) is $1.50. It's huge: stationery, beauty products, home decor, gardening supplies, pet supplies, kitchen ware. They have shelving. And they have hooks to hang from that shelving. They have curtain rods, seat cushions, throw pillows, slippers galore and dishes. They even have spiky things to keep birds away and pumpkin-shaped dog beds. I regret I did not have my camera on me to bring you photos of the wonder that is Daiso.
Continue reading "Shopping at Daiso"
Posted by melissa at 12:01 PM | Comments (4)
Our friend in the Big Apple is celebrating an awesome birthday.
America’s first and longest-running film festival showcasing the works of Asian and Asian American artists is turning 30! Celebrations abound with over 100 films and videos screenings, art exhibitions, special guest appearances, panels, workshops, parties, and much, much more!
Continue reading "AAIFF Celebrates the Big 3-0!"
Posted by lisalee at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)
Researchers at the American Cancer Society find five distinct strains of cancer common among five separate Asian-decent ethnic groups. The study, published in the Cancer Journal for Clinicians, focused on Asian Americans of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese decent.
Continue reading "Five Cancers Among Asian Americans"
Posted by melanie at 9:28 PM | Comments (0)
I recently heard about Presidential Scholar Mari Oye. This article in the Boston Globe talks about Oye, who had the chance to meet the president.
Continue reading "Dear Mr. President"
Posted by momo at 7:44 PM | Comments (3)
The idea of marriage makes my hands sweat, not in a good way. I’m trying to figure it out though, really I am. Therapy has helped me realize that it’s one part rebellion to the South Asian obsession with weddings, one part my parent’s divorce ... and the rest is still murky. I mean, I’ve always been a bit of a cynic: the whole concept of “forever” that marriage is predicated on just doesn’t compute for me. The idea of celebrating that idea by spending thousands of dollars for a huge party just seems like asking for it … but at the same time, I love champagne.
Continue reading "Big, Fat Indian Weddings, and a Few Divorces"
Posted by neela at 12:52 AM | Comments (4)
Jake* is a delivery boy at a mom and pop pizza parlor in west L.A. He gets paid $5.50 an hour under the table and gets to keep his tips. In this part of the country, a wage that low is illegal, but Jake doesn't have a green card, so he'll take any job he can get.
Jake moved to Los Angeles with his family from his native Taiwan when he was only two-years old. He doesn't know much about the island. Ever since he can remember, he has lived with his parents in a run-down motel that they operate in a seedy part of Eagle Rock. "Special skill"-less, his parents came to the U.S. on a B1 visa in order to run the business for silent investors still living in Taiwan. During the last 20+ years, their resident status has remained unchanged, which is a major problem for Jake and his siblings: they are now legal adults no longer under their parents' visa.
Continue reading "How My College Degree Got Me a Job at Pizza Hut"
Posted by jason at 11:38 AM | Comments (2)
A press conference in New York City last month addressed an issue that often goes ignored but is already affecting many Asian Americans in the 21st century – Chronic Hepatitis B.
A study released by pharmaceutical giants Idenix and Novartis revealed some alarming figures. A survey of 301 CHB patients (55% of whom were Asian American) indicated that not enough CHB patients or the general population are properly informed about CHB and its causes, although the similarities to the HIV epidemic are obvious.
In the U.S. and estimated 1.25 million people are critically infected with HBV 2 -- Asian Americans make up more than half of this number.
* One in 10 Asian-Americans has CHB, compared with one in 1,000 for the general U.S. population:
* 1 in 10 Chinese Americans
* 1 in 12 Korean Americans
* 1 in 8 Vietnamese Americans
Continue reading "The Epidemic You Don’t Know About"
Posted by claire at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
Have you heard of MATCHA Thursdays? If you haven't, today will the day to find out! Our buddies over at the Asian Art Museum are hosting a Live Action Remix.
What does that mean? Good question. Think Astroy Boy, Manga, and DJ Nako!
Continue reading "MATCHA - Live Action Remix"
Posted by lisalee at 1:50 PM | Comments (0)
Oh no! Another indie magazine bites the dust. The indie press community has been abuzz for the past few weeks about the closing of Punk Planet. After 13 years, they’ve printed their last issue.
Continue reading "Punk Planet Prints Last Issue"
Posted by melissa at 1:15 PM | Comments (0)
In Stockton, California, a community group is fighting to restore and preserve Little Manila, one of the oldest Filipino immigrant communities in the US.
The Little Manila Foundation aims to raise $2 million to purchase several buildings that constitute historic Little Manila. The first on their list is the Mariposa Hotel, a former "residence hotel that also served as a headquarters to labor unions and other organizations when Stockton was home to the largest population of Filipinos outside of the Philippines," describes the Recordnet. They hope to convert Mariposa into a community space and museum, then preserve the only two other remaining buildings of historic Little Manila-- the Rizal Social Club and the Emerald restaurant.
Continue reading "Reviving Little Manila"
Posted by melanie at 12:42 PM | Comments (0)
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