SFIAAFF + The People I've Slept With

There's only so much film you can see - at least in a weekend - and you just have to pick and choose (and no film festival goer will ever tell you it's easy) but sometimes you just get a feeling for films you want to see and The People I've Slept With - well - I've been waiting to see this one for a long time.

Not only does it look fun, quirky, and just like something I know I'm going to love (because you just know those things don't you?) but it's also the SFIAAF centerpiece film - and while I've said it before - I think I have to say it again - if you don't get your tickets now don't come crying to me when you're waiting at the Rush line - because I don't care how hot you are, how much you beg me - or even if you have food - I'm still not giving you my tickets.

Check out what the SF Gate has to say

For the second year in a row, the centerpiece Sunday night Castro slot at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival has been the home of the festival's most rockin' film. Last year, it was H.P. Mendoza's musical "Fruit Fly." This time it's an edgy comedy about promiscuity, youth and responsibility, "The People I've Slept With," by writer-director Quentin Lee.

It's about a promiscuous party girl (Karin Anna Cheung, "Better Luck Tomorrow") who becomes pregnant and searches for the father, and her gay best friend (Wilson Cruz), who struggles to remain faithful to his man.

"I definitely identify with Karin, because even as a gay man, I understand what women have to go through," said Lee, a UC Berkeley alum. "I'm not a very promiscuous person (laughs). But I understand being promiscuous as a level of how people frown upon you. Going back to 'Shopping for Fangs,' I've always liked a strong female character."

Asian American Idol 3

That's right folks - you could be the next Asian American Idol - and really - why wouldn't you want to be? Fabulous prizes, cheering on your favorites, getting your song on - and most importantly - doing it for a damn good cause.

Check it out - and remember - contestant registration ends March 12th (and yes, I realize that's tomorrow).

Get all the details here.

Jeff Yang And His Avatar

Caught this great article down at Asian Pop where Jeff Yang talks race, Street Fighter, avatars, and the Hong Kong Triad Bureau:

Through the magic of Wii Virtual Console, I downloaded the game that defined my adult arcade-rat career -- Street Fighter II: The World Warriors -- and prepared to teach my offspring the first of what would be many lessons in Not Messing with the Old Man.

Unfortunately, the match ended before it even began. Faced with the game's array of character choices, Hudson refused to play any of them except Ryu, which was of course unacceptable, since intense, fireball-wielding karateka Ryu is my traditional Schooling Instrument of Choice. Ha-dou-ken!

Read it in full here.

SFIAAFF: God is D_ad

Definitely one of the films I'm looking forward to seeing down at SFIAAFF is God is D_ad and if you haven't gotten your tickets already I'd pick them up soon because not only did it win Best Picture down at KOFFLA and it just looks like a kick ass flick - but I don't care how much you beg me when you they get sold out...

I'm not giving you mine.

Kiss My Ass: Charlie Chan, The National Arts Club, And NY NATAS

I don't know much about this "lost film" but I will say this:

Warner Oland and Sidney Toler were bullshit and I don't give a Chinky MF if that movie has a map to the lost city of One Day Those Dumbass White People Will Finally Get A Fucking Clue - if this isn't being shown within the context of the still to this day discrimination against my people on the silver screen - I think this film should change it's status back to "lost".

FYI to the NY NATAS where this gem of a film was first screened last month

Quotes from Chinky Chan on your registration page don't really endear me to you or this mockumentary - and yes - if you think about, that's pretty apropos.

P.S.

Long journeys don't start with one short step, they start with a trip to the MF bathroom.

On The Clock - SFIAAFF '10 Filmmaker Interview: Barry Jenkins

Weekend of SFIAAFF you can't come soon enough - so I guess this will have to tide me over until then.

Jasmine + This Is Not A Game

Like the song, but not quite sure what I think about the video yet.

Shota Shimizu = Ken The 390 = Stay

倖田 來未: You're So Beautiful

Meg And Dia + Mr. Robot

I guess it's sold out now (and it sold out in about a day), but I still wanted to post up this picture of the Mr. Robot man created by Meg And Dia (actually just by the Meg and not the Dia from what I understand) - and yes - you did guess correct if you answered that Mr. Robot's favorite band was in fact - well - Meg And Dia.

White On Rice And Children Of Invention Filmmaker Discussion

You loved Children Of Invention? You loved White On Rice? And now you say you want to know more? Don't worry. I have you covered.

"White on Rice" and "Children of Invention" --
A conversation with filmmakers moderated by Jeff Yang

Tuesdsay, March 9, 2010
Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU
41-51 E. 11th Street, Fl.7
7th Floor Gallery
6:00PM-8:00PM

Free and open to the public. RSVP IMMEDIATELY!
RSVP: Website www.apa.nyu.edu; Email apa.rsvp@nyu.edu; or Call 212-992-9653

Please join us for a special conversation with filmmaker David Boyle of "White on Rice" and Producer Mynette Louie of "Children of Invention," moderated by Jeff Yang, editor of Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology and former aMagazine founding editor. We will get sneak previews of clips of the films, which are both opening in New York City on March 12th. The filmmakers will discuss Asian Americans in film, writing and representation, and the creation of their films.

"White on Rice"
40-year-old Jimmy is growing up, or at least he's getting older. While mooching the upper bunk of his ten-year-old nephew's bed, he enjoys the never-ending generosity of his sister Aiko, and dodges the wrath of his impatient brother-in-law Tak. He thinks that if only he could get married all his problems would be solved. But when he falls head over heels for Tak's niece things only go from bad to worse.

"White on Rice" won the 2009 San Diego Asian Film Festival Audience Award and the 2009 VC FilmFest - Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Jury Prize for both Acting - New Talent to Watch for Justin Kwong and for Best Screenplay for Dave Boyle and Joel Clark.

"Children of Invention"
After being evicted, hardworking single mom Elaine Cheng (Cindy Cheung, Lady in the Water) tries to maintain a normal life for her children, Raymond and Tina. Elaine juggles a number of jobs, including working for a questionable pyramid scheme. When Elaine doesn't return home one night, nobody knows the kids are home alone, and they are left to fend for themselves. As the days pass, Raymond, a budding inventor, realizes he needs to come up with a plan to take care of his little sister.

"Children of Invention" premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, screened at over 40 film festivals, and won 15 festival awards including: Grand Jury Prizes at the 2009 Newport International Film Festival, Independent Film Festival Boston, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival, and Ojai-Ventura Film Festival.

Yeah - I know - I might have you covered, but I don't always give you a lot of time.

Bao Phi And Final Fantasy XIII

Caught this post on the Bao Phi blog and wanted to post it on up as it's creating some interesting conversation:

Recently, Final Fantasy XIII has come out, and following the previews, reviews, screenshots, and looking at the concept art, it reminds me of a question that is provocative but seems to be ignored – why do Japanese game companies create so many games where the protagonists all look European or white? Sure, Final Fantasy XIII has one Black character, but then it makes it all the more compelling to ask, why aren’t there any Asian characters?

Read it in full here.

Your Name's Hugo Kugiya And You Like To Eat

Three things I love in this world are my Asian people, food, and good pictures - and I couldn't help but post this up from an article I was reading down at the Pacific NW on Hugo Kugiya who returned to Seattle and is re-discovering all it has to offer through food:

Eating is also often the way I measure my surroundings. If you gave me just one day to visit Cairo or Hong Kong or any other place I've never seen, I would be happy doing nothing more than eating. A meal tells a story about the people who eat it or make it, and the place it comes from. It can speak of deprivation, bounty, journey and conquest.

I'm thinking there's a cable channel that should be calling him about his own television show...

Your Mr. Fix It: Ken Takemoto

This is just a kick ass photo of Ken Takemoto who's the prop manager from East West Players. Check out more about the man who can make anything, from well, pretty much anything.

That's A Hot Video: Choz Belen, FM, And "I Party" f. IZ and DB Tonik

Thanks for the shout out...nice