Broker + Return To Seoul + Adoption Narratives In Film

Sunday, April 30, 2023

https://mashable.com/article/broker-return-to-seoul-adoption

It's a good article on these two films and we at least get a glimpse into what these filmmakers--Cambodian-French and Japanese--were thinking, some of the groundwork for the films. It doesn't sound like there was a lot of consultation on either film--versus research (which is needed for sure)--and that's just to be exepected sometimes as the normal--but can't say for sure--so that portion is what it is, regardless of the outcome--because one thing doesn't make a system, and media and film still live in a system.

Haven't seen Broker. But did see Return To Seoul--did wonder about that file from the picture, but stranger things have happened--and I guess you need to find someone to have a story, even though there's a ton that never search and never find anything--but it was a slow burn and in the middle--non-descript from a feeling standpoint and I liked that piece of it.

Get Your LAAPFF On May 4-13, 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

 

Visual Communications Presents

39th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

May 4-13, 2023 

LAAPFF 2023 Lineup Celebrates Native Hawaiian, Pasifika, Indigenous Voices, and Artists Across the Asian American and Asian Diaspora Communities

Commemorating 20th Year Since Passing of Founding Executive Director Linda Mabalot With Filmmaker Wellness Programming

April 6, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – Visual Communications (VC) announced today the lineup for their 39th edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. The annual showcase for Asian American, Native Hawaian, Pacific Islander, diasporic and Asian international cinema returns May 4 to May 13 with in-person programming slated to take place in Little Tokyo, Gardena Cinemas, and Regal L.A. Live, along with online programming.

On May 4, the Festival will kick off with a community celebration party at the Japanese American National Museum, followed by Opening Night programming on May 5th with the World Premiere of ARMED WITH A CAMERA VOL. 2023 (AWC). This year, AWC will feature six short films produced by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander artists, in reflection of VC’s renewed commitment to uplifting Native Hawaiian and Pasifika stories. 

“As an organization, we recognize deeply that in order for us to build collective power we must in tandem confront issues that divide us; that privilege some parts of our own community over others and render our Indigenous relations invisible. In our growing practice to challenge definitions and boundaries, we’re always examining what we can do better,” shares Visual Communications Executive Director, Francis Cullado. “We’re honored to center Native Hawaiian and Pasifika artists in the 2023 edition of AWC as well as our Pacific Cinewaves program. This is a continuation of our intentions from early works like OMAI FAʻATASI: SAMOA MO SAMOA and NA PUA O LAKA, and a renewed commitment to uplift and amplify Indigenous storytellers in spaces where Asian-American artists may historically hold privilege. We have to amplify artists who utilize media to preserve cultural traditions and present diasporic stories if we are being earnest in our efforts to truly build community and collective power.”

In addition to AWC VOL. 2023, the Festival will feature several programs reflecting Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous perspectives to amplify the contemporary storytelling of Indigenous Peoples that universally connects all of us.

https://festival.vcmedia.org/2023/2023/04/06/laapff2023/

Shoong! Is Tasty. We Love Taeyang. But Damn If LA LISA Doesn't Steal The Show

Friday, April 28, 2023

 

This a good song. Great dancing. It's good as hell. But when I was watching it I couldn't help but think that damn if Lisa doesn't steal the show.
Her dancing is just so sharp--it's crazy--it's like everyone else has to keep up with her--and Taeyang and everyone else is great--and that almost sideways moonwalk--nice.
But you did see this right?
I mean--what? 
And her vocals--clean. 
It's almost like she had to be contained. 
We all see where this is headed--
True global superstar as an individual artist.

Hyori's Still The Queen

Friday, April 28, 2023

The world is abuzz with The Queen's return to IG. Buzz noted.

Warrior Season 3 | Official Teaser (AKA We Need This)

Friday, April 28, 2023

You know - sometimes you just need some ass kicking.

Twitter Clip: Tibetans in Minnesota peacefully march in Minneapolis in support of His Holiness the #DalaiLama

Friday, April 28, 2023

We Can Finally Agree Fox News We Can Finally Agree

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Weed + Tara Davis-Woodhall + Huh?

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

I don't know - but I didn't think weed gives you a performance edge in things like long jumping? 

For real? Stripped of her title? 
I think these people need to revisit their rules.
For sure, maybe focus, and Sativa or Hybrids, get some energy, but it's still a weedy energy. 
Idk.
Feels a little draconian...at the expense of BIPOC.
Maybe just a little colonialistic...
Cause again - does weed give you that edge on the long jump or in sprinting?
Not to be stereotypical and undermine the medical goodness of THC--but I still feel like the edge might be a little more Netflix and Chill...

FYI: Awkwafina is Nora from Queens Season 3 Tonight

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Reviewishy: Netflix, A Tourist's Guide To Love, Fxxxxrs, Now Everyone's Coming To Vietnam

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

I know I'm not easy to please and my tastes go in wayward directions and sometimes I don't know until I know. It's not a mystery. This is the way I work and while every fish out of the water story has something universal to it, in all its different incarnations, it can also be a cardboard cutout, a seemingly innocuous story that also says something different about the reality and society to which it is playing to when juxtaposed with timing and history and the fact that nothing lives in an ivory tower. 

That's why when I see this type of film--which isn't quite the same as the journey film, I am a little cautious about it and rightly so (and I'm not taking anything away from the journey--just the objectification of culture and country when juxtaposed to the realities of its people and descendents).

At the same time, there are some great people attached to it, it does want to create this other narrative about what Vietnam is--versus just the war here and I think in some ways you could say Vietnam too--and there is something to be said for that.

And it's a romcom/drama and we all love those (except when they aren't actually that good).

So it's not like I was like "MF's..." completely out of the gate...

Some random thoughts after watching.

They Got The Music Right

Honestly, one of the first things I noticed was Suboi when they got into Vietnam. I was like okay--fine. Point to you MFs. And then they kept on adding points with Bích Phương and other Viet musical goodness.

Liked The Food And City/Landscape Shots

The shots were really nice--I'll admit I thought to myself that they are showcasing this beauty and energy of the places they were. 

I Felt Like The Vietnamese Characters Weren't Necessarily Just This Back Drop. They Had Lines. Their Own Scenes With Just Them
Sinh and Anh, when you think about the space of the film's time and the rest of the characters, they actually get a lot of screen time. They kind of have their own little subplot going on. And this is a Rachael Leigh Cook, She's All That, movie. That's the header, and it is for sure. And there are some great shots of her, and Scott Ly, in Vietnam. So to have their characters also get some more attention overall--that felt good to me.

They Did Have A Diverse Set Of Characters

BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Young, Old. Vietnamese. You don't always get that.

She Didn't Leave For The White Guy. It Was Honest

I liked that part. I thought they had a lot of chemistry in breaking up. And she made the right decision. Sinh was obiously what she needed. And he would have asked her to go to Ohio.

On The Love Portion 

I mean, that's where I feel like, maybe some of that portion needed a little more time. It was good. The kisses were nice. And they had some nice scenes. Idk. I'm gonna think on that one.

I'm Giving It A Solid Mostly Unwaverring 6.9

In part, it's because of what it was and what I think it wanted to be. And I think at least from an American perspective, I did give it some points for not having any Ken Burns' material in it.

This Week In APIA History: Chinese American Astronaut Taylor Wang Went To Space

Monday, April 24, 2023

"SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: Dr. Wang flew on STS-51B Challenger (April 29-May 6, 1985). STS-51B/Spacelab-3 was launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. It was the first operational Spacelab mission. The seven-man crew aboard Challenger conducted investigations in crystal growth, drop dynamics leading to containerless material processing, atmospheric trace gas spectroscopy, solar and planetary atmospheric simulation, cosmic rays, laboratory animals and human medical monitoring. At mission conclusion, Dr. Wang had traveled over 2.9 million miles in 110 Earth orbits, and had logged over 168 hours in space."

--NASA


I Really Need To Watch Season 1: Quantum Leap 2022

Monday, April 24, 2023

 

I officially don't have any excuses for not having seen this show yet.

Please don't beat me.

I mean, you can, just not so much that I can't watch this show...

Sometime soon...

Blackpink Broke Coachella (Now It's Called Pinkchella) And Jennie's Side Boob?

Monday, April 24, 2023

Honestly, I feel like even if you don't follow many things, I mean it could be next to nothing actually, you'd have known Black Pink headlined Coachella and that they were the first Korean Band/K-Pop to do so.

And apparently--everyone has loved them.

And then there's also this "side boob" thing--which tbh--it's just childish really. 

You will eventually see some side boob. And in case of a wardrobe malfunction--that would just break the internet all together.

That is all.

 

Oh Hell Now--It's On--#2 Movies In The U.S. Today--Tourists Guide To Love (AKA--Dear Lord... AKA Gotta Watch It Tonight)

Monday, April 24, 2023

Oh Dang...Dear Lord...Let us pray...

P.S. I need to catch that Whitney flick too.


4X Utada (AKA All Hail Utada--Still)

Monday, April 24, 2023

When you think about how long Utada has been making music--how long she's endured--it's pretty amazing for this type of run she's had to keep on putting out amazing music--that people still like (and of course who wouldn't, but you know...). Some vids then.

Hikaru Utada | Somewhere Near Marseilles - LIVE at Sea Paradise


宇多田ヒカル『君に夢中』


宇多田ヒカル『PINK BLOOD』


宇多田ヒカル『One Last Kiss』

Dan Lam: Vietnamese American Artist To Know

Sunday, April 16, 2023


A good write-up in the SCMP on Vietnamese American Dan Lam whose sculptures can sell for 40K.

40k.

But she's doing drops for $150 too. 

Man--if that's not MF Viet goodness I don't know what is.

Here's a link so you can subscribe to the newsletter.

Viet Food + Tik Tok = Goodness (aka Tik Tok Do Your Thing)

Sunday, April 16, 2023

In case you missed it, like I did, there's this great story about a Vietnamese daughter who went to Tik Tok to see if should could help get some people into the restaurant which was having some problems getting people in the door for a variety of reasons.

Shows the power of new social media and what could happen if you put yourself out there and take a chance.

The Lives Of Claire And Chad Traveling The World

Sunday, April 16, 2023

 


Apparently Claire and Chad have been growing on me.
They may not be making millions on Wall Street, and Chad's not a doctor, but good for them seeing the world and sharing it with YouTube.
I'm sure all their friends love them...
That is all.

Wait: It's Called "Keanaissance"? And IL Mare

Sunday, April 09, 2023

If that's what they're calling it--I'm on board with it, but at the same time--did he ever go out of style?

Okay--fine....no one really should have re-made IL Mare because you know...

It's IL Mare...


Fine...Keanaissance it is.


Jam On Young One. Jam On: Polyphia - Ego Death feat. Steve Vai

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

 



Curated: Lỡ Say Bye Là Bye, Em Không Hiểu, Yêu Là Khi, ... / Fillinus's Hot Playlist YouTube, TikTok, Spotify

Wednesday, April 05, 2023


Lỡ Say Bye Là Bye, Em Không Hiểu, Yêu Là Khi, ... / Fillinus's Hot Playlist YouTube, TikTok, Spotify Top list: 0:00 Lỡ Say Bye là Bye - Changg x Lemese 3:32 Em Không Hiểu - Changg 7:30 Yêu Là Khi - Lemese 11:33 Hướng Dương - Changg 15:10 Anh Đâu Có Hay - Lemese x AUGUST 18:55 Vì Em Cô Đơn - Lemese 22:18 Có Người Đang X Tôi - August x Vũ Phụng Tiên 25:13 Sunday Morning - AUGUSTx Lemese x D empty 29:15 Ai Nói Trước Đây - AUGUSTx The Sheep 32:45 Tình Yêu Hàng Real - Lemese x Ruby V 35:50 Thư Giãn Đi Em - AUGUST x Badbz 39:35 Sài Gòn Đâu Có Lạnh - Changg x Lewiuy 42:20 Siêu Năng Lực - AUGUST 46:20 Thật Thà Với Nhau - AUGUST 49:57 Chạy Về Phía Nhau - AUGUST x Minchu 

Đăng ký để nghe nhạc tụi mình nhiều hơn tại: http://metub.net/Fillinus 

 ▶ More information about Artist's Fillinus:
 

 ▶ More information about Fillinus:
 
Official Fanpage Fillinus: https://www.facebook.com/fillinus 

thuy - girls like me don't cry (remix) ft. MIN x the lyric video (cause you needed that too)

Wednesday, April 05, 2023



I mean, that's just, I mean, so cute!



The lyric video.

Theater Mu + AGAIN + HMONG AWESOME

Wednesday, April 05, 2023













(Photo by Rich Ryan)
So I got a chance to interview some of the cast of Theater Mu's AGAIN for another article I was doing (at a place with editors unlike this hackjob here I call home), and if you are so inclined, I'd get a ticket and see it if you can (cause apparently they are getting low).
All the people were really cool. It sounds amazing. I learned that maybe I'm not so bad of a dad after all. And, let's be honest--who doesn't love pop, ballands, and cancer rolled into one big smokeable joint of Hmong goodness?
Right? 
You didn't even have to see it yet to say yes to that.
But you should.
Check out more about the show here and get your tickets on up here
Word to the Hmong American Artistry.

DO IT NOW: LAST CALL FOR #AAIFF46 SUBMISSIONS

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

 









You still have time! From the mailers:

Whether you have a feature, short film, or web series, send in your project for programming consideration. We would love to amplify your creativity and share your excellence with the API community. The extended deadline for submissions is Monday, April 10.

Submit on down at https://filmfreeway.com/aaiff

BELLINGHAM, Washington: Watch Your Back South Asian Americans

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

From the article Bellingham police warn of thieves targeting Asian American business owners at their homes:

The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) has issued a community alert about a regional burglary group targeting residents in Bellingham. BPD Detectives said the group had been focusing on business owners of South Asian descent.

“It is very sad in the fact this is a specific group of people who are being targeted and we don’t know why," Bellingham Police PIO Claudia Murphy said. “That is terrifying for folks whose house is their sanctuary. You are supposed to be safest in your own home.”

Police said the group was hitting homes near greenbelts and trails which served as an easy way to keep eyes on when the home is alone and the ideal escape route.

Joy Ride + Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Wu + The Red Band Tailer + Were There Adoption Consultants On This Film (Will Some Proceeds Of The Film Go To Adult Adoptee Groups)?

Wednesday, April 05, 2023



Note: This one is completely just written with little to no editing at this point (just writing it out because that's what happens here sometimes). I'll look to edit later if needed, or like I hope to--add in some more information/do another post or set of posts.
I'm going to have a lot more to say on this after 1) I actually see this movie, and 2) When and if I can get some information on what happened behind the scenes in regard to adoption.

But I do have to say, that I'm very very very torn on some aspects of this in regard to not knowing or the film putting out information on the adoption aspect of it, but also incredibly excited from a purely non-adoption related Asian American perspective.

And I love Ashley Park.

And I love this MF trailer from a Red Band standpoint.

And it's totally a movie I would want to see from a pure APIA perspective and especially from an APIA casting perspective, as well as from a behind the scenes perspective. In that way I can't deny what this film can help bring, but I also don't want it at the expense of people who have been through the adoption system as well.

Right?

Like it's a really nice thought to have your best friend right away be someone who's Asian American and have them defend you, but in all reality, that doesn't always happen. And that's not to say a movie should be reality in that way, but at the same time, I do hope there was thought put it into it. I hope there were consultants on it from the Adoption Community of Adults who were adopted and specifically Asian Americans who were adopted into White families.

You see what I'm saying?

I get it. I get those people who are asking questions about it. I get not everyone feels like "Joy Ride" and searching for your Fill In The Blank parents/family should go into the same sentence, especially when the sentiment is around the commodification of babies, and in this case Asian Brown Babies Who Get Stereotyped Even While They're Babies (because that's a part of the reason Asian Babies get put int White families).

Like I completely get the fuck out of that and taking into account the history of Adoptee Voices and having to fight for recognition and to make our voices heard and how this can completely turn people off to it.

I get it.

And the typical searching for your Fill In The Blank parents/family is kind of tired and old in so many ways from that standpoint. Like OMG, can I please get a new story around Adoption just like we lament that we should be able to do more stories outside of immigration and blending on in or talking only about Race.

That resonates with me.

I also think to myself though--if it's done good, if it's done correctly, sometimes eyes outside of the direct sphere of the community, like seeing your country through the eyes of someone else--it can sometimes work. And I have to say that while not all searches are "funny" events--I don't know or hear about a ton of people who've done it with friends--it doesn't mean that at times we don't try and find levity here and there. And from a sheer story standpoint--I mean, it can work.

I haven't heard anything in any news reports or articles about consultants who were Asian American and adopted, or who went through the system, and I'd like to think if people were paying attenting from BB they would have seen the need for it, but I can't say for sure what did or did not happen--so I'm still hopeful that people like the filmmakers have done that, just like they would want for APIA related pieces of a story--that same representation and insight right?

But I don't know and there are some other pieces in the trailer where I wonder--like the going back to the motherland line scene--for a film as irrevrant as this, a line about abducting her would be funny (and again maybe they do treat it like that in the film itself).

At the same time, it's a comedy so we can't expect everything, and there are a couple scenes in there were I see the anger come out--so that's good (because that's real), so IDK.

In many ways I like the idea of this, especially because life happens and this is something we all have to deal with--can't stop it in that sense.

I know I'm probably gonna love it from a raunchy/friendship/bonding movie--like I feel that portion.

But I don't know if the adoption pieces, if they aren't done well, if they are the same tropes, if that will override that feeling and turn me off.

Hopefully I'll get some more information, or it will come out more on consultants, or Adoptees being close to the film (I don't know if anyone who wrote it/directed it, etc. was adopted). But we'll have to wait and see.

Honestly I don't know. And I'm just writing this as I go. I heard on TikTok there was a showing and someone just cried after they saw it cause they were a Chinese Adoptee and it totally hit them/triggered them, etc. so I hope there's some good words at the end of the movie. Maybe some proceeds to Adult Adoption Groups (which the more I think about it--again giving the history of Asian adoption to US White Families and voices being quashed, and the corruption surrounding adoptions--commodifying brown babies for $$$)--I do hope they give some proceeds of the film to Adult Adoption Groups.

I mean MF MF MF.

And just to answer the question--no I don't want this to fail from an Asian American perspective--like if you ask that question you just haven't even read one post here. Because are you kidding me? I want this to succeed in a totally different way then something like CRA. I could only hope this succeeds in so many ways because of the way it will help advance more in the APIA community from a film/media/representation standpoint, as well as from behind the camera. I mean fuck. Can you imagine if this breaks a shit ton of MF records? That would be amazing on that level.

But--and that's the thing--I don't want it being done at the expense of other Asian Americans, like myself as well, who can be othered. Who can not be seen as Asian American because we're still infantalized because people have their own stereotypes about us--like who we are, what we feel, what we know, what we don't know, how Asian we feel, or do not feel, or even if we care about finding X. And none of what I just typed should infer anything about me and who I am or what I'm thinking--you see what I mean?

If it's done at the expense of us as a group--that's not great either...

IDK. I just don't know.

Xo, Kitty + Netflix = Foundational Gold

Wednesday, April 05, 2023



All I'm saying is that when you have younger generations of actors who are diverse, they grow up, they have a base, and it's good for everyone.

Because if that doesn't happen, you just get the same old same old, generation after generation.

It's just basic math (or if you like compounded interest).

Little steps.

And yes--I'm totally the demographic they had in mind for this.

From Ted Lieu With Love (AKA Trump Should Go Back To Selling Steaks, Or NFTs or Steaks)

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

And no, he didn't actually say anything about steaks or NFTs, but you get it, right? Yeah.

Mateus Asato: That Really Is So Sweet

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

Mmmmmm...

Bao Phi On Everything Everywhere All At Once

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

I'm just going to give a little bit of this and then post the link. 

And yes.

You should read the hell out of this.

My own Vietnamese refugee parents were struggling, like many others, to figure out a way to live their lives after their neighborhood was forever changed in the aftermath of the unrest after the murder of George Floyd by a racist white police officer. A few months prior, my gender nonconforming Asian American child had moved over 1,000 miles away from me. Every day, when I could find a quiet moment to myself, I was literally in tears about it. I tell you all of this because I went to this movie, like I had gone to so many movies in decades of being a fan of film, with zero expectations that it would heal me. I was just hoping it would be a decent film, a fun and sorely needed distraction.

Read it in full down at the Nerds Of Color.

Fine: I'm Gonna Break My Silence On The Sham Marriage Of Son Ye Jin And What's His Name...

Wednesday, April 05, 2023

Listen. I get it. I'm not supposed to like What's His Name, even if I like him as an actor.

I get it.

And yes. I'm biased. I've loved SYJ forever.

Like forever forever.

But that doesn't matter.

TAKE OFF THE BLINDERS.

Do you really believe for one minute that marriage is real?

Convenient maybe.

But not real.

And I'll say it...

Is that baby even his?!!!

I didn't see a DNA TEST. Did you? Honestly, I think Son Ye Jin went Immaculate Conception Korean Style, because she's just so awesome she DIDN'T NEED A MAN TO MAKE A BABY. She's so awesome, she can do it herself. I mean she probably could do twins if she put her mind to it.

I feel like What's His Name probably did some Korean Shaman Shizzle to brain wash her. And I don't know how he did it because SYJ is so damn powerful and amazing (although I'm guessing it was just PURE EVIL and What's His Name had to sell his soul).

But the evidence is there.

Look at her Instagram over the past few weeks.

She's not posting pictures holding What's His Name.

She's holding some drinks.


She's not smiling because of His Name We Should Not Say Out Loud.

She's smiling because of the Valentino hand bag.


And lastly...I mean COME ON!

Does this look like brunch for two?


No, it does not.

Oh I'm sorry. What did you say?

The other glass? The other fork? It looks like a lot of food?

That's an extra drink cause she needs one now because of You Know Who. The extra fork? C'mon. Do you really expect someone like SYJ to just use one fork? Do you think she's a Neanderthal?!!!!

And the food? Please.

Not only does she need to rejuvenate her body FROM MAKING A BABY HERSELF, but she needs to keep up her strength to WARD OFF THE EVIL.

I can only hope that these subtle cries for help won't go unnoticed and she breaks free...