Soon they'll be everywhere

While you might read Disgrasian, now you can hear them online talking about the blog, how they started it, some of the new things they're doing - and of course - Tila Tequila. Listen to it down at KPFA.org.

Film: No Regret

While it's received some exposure on the film festival circuit in '07 and '08, the indie movie No Regret, which was released in South Korea in late 2006 (and set a new SK box office record for an independent film) is getting its U.S. release in LA and New York starting July 25th.

The film directed by Leesong Hee-Il (starring Lee Young-Hoon and Lee Han), has garnered some great reviews and has even been compared to Wong Kar-Wai's Happy Together and Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain.

Here's the synopsis:

The plot revolves around Sumin, an orphan who comes to Seoul to study art design. While supporting himself by working a factory job by day and driving cars for the rich by night, he comes to the attention of Jaemin, a young man from a rich but conservative background. When Sumin learns that he is spared from a layoff at the factory by Jaemin, whose family owns the business, he volunteers to quit himself rather than be seen as favoured by the boss’s son. Now unable to support himself, he soon finds himself working as a prostitute in a gay bar. Jaemin, however, is determined to find Sumin once more and win his heart. He ultimately succeeds, but the lovers’ bliss is short-lived when Jaemin’s family starts to intervene. The film is then propelled toward a powerful and unexpected climax that will shock some, but also surprise and touch others.

View the trailer below:



For more go to IMDB or the official U.S. site.

I Kind Of Care: Big Brother, Angie Swindell, and Julie Chen

Angie Swindell

I was reading about Korean American Angie Swindell who is going to be on this season of Big Brother and it occurred to me that for some odd reason it really doesn't matter to me how long Julie Chen has actually been hosting the show, or that she's probably the only Asian American that I can think of right now that's actually hosted a reality T.V. show for this long, and I think it really has to do with the fact that it's because the show she's been hosting is Big Brother.

I mean it's not like she's hosting Survivor or The Amazing Race - it's not even Dancing With The Stars - it's Big Brother - and while I think in some ways I should care, I don't know if I really can even if she did have the nickname Chenbot and does CBS' The Early Show.

To be honest, I don't even care enough to post a picture of Julie Chen for this post when normally if it was anyone else for any other show I would.

And while I think in some way I should feel guilty for that, I just can't seem to muster up enough guilt to really care.

Anyway - here's some more info on Angie Swindell who'll be on that show starting July 13th:

Age: 29
Hometown: Orlando, FL via Virginia Beach, VA
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Marital Status: Single

Angie is a smart and sexy, Korean-American tomboy who can mix it up with the best of them. She is a recent divorcee who is happy to be single again.

Angie graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and is currently working in pharmaceutical sales. She has a good relationship with her parents who have been married for almost 30 years though she thinks her dad understands her better than her mother. She is a devoted sister to her mentally disabled brother. Angie is very protective of him and stands up against anyone who makes fun of her brother.

She describes herself as wild, entertaining and funny and loves to hang out with friends. Her favorite activities are working out, socializing, boating and traveling - basically anything that's fun to do. She is proud that she was the Guinness-chugging champion for women at Irish Kevin's bar in Key West. She enjoys watching college football and is a dyed in the wool Gators fan. She's also crazy about her miniature Dachshund whose name is Dixie.

Angie's ideal romantic partner is an alpha male, confident and muscular. She prefers dark hair, likes tattoos and has a few herself. She really wants to be with a guy's guy. That said, she's a romantic at heart and her favorite movie is "The Notebook."

Her birth date is July 2, 1979.

Dat Phan Goes To Rome

Screenshot from When In Rome from DatPhan.com

So I was thinking to myself "I wonder what Dat Phan has been up too" (because occasionally things like that pop into my head) so I checked out his site and apparently he's going to be in a new movie called When in Rome. Not quite sure how big his role is going to be - or what it actually entails - but it's good to see him getting some gigs.

I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

Easy Listening: Laugh Away, Summer Song

The video quality isn't great, but the vibe is pretty cool. Check out Laugh Away and Summer Song by YUI.



h/t kpopjpop

Kenny Eng On iTunes Soon

If anything can brighten your day a little it's music - and I just got some cool news from Kenny Eng that his CD will be up and running pretty soon on iTunes and Rhapsody - so make sure to check out his site down at http://www.myspace.com/kennyeng for more information on the release.

EEOC News

It's been a while since I checked in with the EEOC to see what companies have landed themselves in hot water - and have had to pay up for it as well - so here's a few stories from the last couple of months:

Tavern On The Green To Pay $2.2 Million For Harassment Of Females, Blacks, Hispanics

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced the settlement of a harassment and retaliation lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act against Tavern on the Green, a landmark restaurant located in Central Park in New York City, for $2.2 million and significant remedial relief.

The EEOC charged in the case that Tavern on the Green engaged in severe and pervasive sexual, racial, and national origin harassment of female, black, and Hispanic employees. The sexual harassment included graphic comments and demands for various sex acts, as well as groping of women’s buttocks and breasts. The racial and national origin harassment included epithets toward black and Hispanic employees and ridiculing Hispanics for their accents. The restaurant also retaliated against employees for refusing to consent to and/or objecting to the harassment, according to the EEOC.

EEOC Settles Sex Bias Case With State Corrections Department For Almost $1 Million

The New York State Department of Correctional Services will pay nearly $1 million to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the two offices announced today. The EEOC and the United States had charged the Corrections Department with violating federal law by providing inferior benefits to female employees on maternity leave.

EEOC Settles Case Involving Discharge Of Seven Middle Eastern Crew Members From The Cruise Ship Pride Of Aloha

In its lawsuit, filed in 2006 under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the EEOC alleged that NCL America discharged seven Middle Eastern crew members from various positions on the cruise ship “Pride of Aloha.” NCL America denied that it had acted improperly against these crew members in agreeing to resolve the lawsuit.

As part of the two year consent decree resolving the case, NCL America agrees to pay the crew members $485,000. With respect to the injunctive relief, NCL America further agrees, among other things, to revise its policies to ensure a workplace that promotes equal employment opportunity, to hire an EEO consultant, and to provide training to its managers and employees on the company’s equal employment policy and complaint procedure.

Yong Hui Zhang Dies At 24

As cynical as I can be at times, this story about Yong Hui Zhang who was carjacked, abducted, and killed on his way making deliveries still makes absolutely no sense to me, and I have to wonder how many people just think of an Asian American man who they see delivering food as just a throwaway piece of meat - that he doesn't matter - that he's nothing more than that. Even looking at the article that's linked up - they don't even use his real name in the headline - they just say "Chinese-food delivery driver murdered".

Here's what's happened:

A Chinese-food delivery driver missing since Thursday night following an apparent violent abduction in Fredericksburg, has been found murdered, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

Two abduction suspects, Jermaine Montgomery, 34, and his girlfriend Marcey White, 36, were arrested at a Wal-Mart in Franklin at about 5 p.m. on Saturday, according to police, who indicated that the investigation from there led to officers discovering the body of the delivery driver, Yong Hui Zhang, in nearby Sussex County [...]

Zhang, 24, left his parents’ China Express Restaurant at about 9:20 p.m. on Thursday night to make three deliveries. When Zhang had not returned to the restaurant, located at 1500 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Fredericksburg, by closing time, his family called the police.

When officers went to 202 Charles St. — one of the delivery sites — they discovered evidence that indicated a crime was committed, including a large amount of blood. They also found a shoe believed to belong to Zhang.

According to the police, Zhang was presumed to be "gravely injured or incapacitated."

If anything, at least they were caught - but I'm sure that's not really any sort of consolation to his family.

Film: That Asian Thing lands at the Independent Features Film Festival

In a recent post I was talking about Jonald Reyes' documentary That Asian Thing, which centers around a portion of Chicago Asian Americans and Asian American identity, and word has it that it's now got a slot at the Independent Features Film Festival -- so make sure to check it out if you're down there and support a new Asian American documentary and filmmaker.

Here are some links and info I received:

The Independent Features Film Festival: http://www.independentfeatures.com/

Tribeca Cinemas (for info on the theater): http://www.tribecacinemas.com/

To buy tickets ("That Asian Thing" - July 27th @ 12:30 pm): https://tickets.tribecafilm.com/online/default.asp?brand=cinemas

Our main website with future info to be posted regarding an after screening get together: http://www.thatasianthing.com/

Updated 9:00PM: That Asian Thing Is Showing At the Independent Features Film Festival at the Tribeca Cinema (not the Tribeca Film Festival)

Carly Fiorina, John McCain, and Twittering

Transcripts from a recent conversation between Carly Fiorina and John McCain lost somewhere in this recent article Carly Fiorina touts McCain's tech credentials:

McCain: Thanks for continuing to back me for President Carly. I really appreciate it. Even though I don't know anything about technology except for what people tell me, I'm sure glad you're behind me touting me as technology literate.

Fiorina: No problem John boy. After I sunk HP into the ground it only makes sense that I back someone like you because it can only help my public persona. Just make sure to think of me when you're vetting possible VP candidates.

McCain: Sure Carly. Btw - what's HP?

Fiorina: It was the company I used to work for John - we made C-O-M-P-U-T-E-R-S - and misc. other things I didn't really have the time to check out.

McCain: Oh yeah - computers. I like those. I can download naked pictures from places like Facebook with a computer.

Fiorina: No you can't John. Facebook is a social networking site.

McCain: Are you sure Carly? I thought I could download hot naked pictures of women in their 50's - because you know I like 'em young....

Fiorina: Ummm....forget about Facebook John. Twittering is where it's at.

McCain: Twittering?

Fiorina: Yes. It's...

McCain: I LOVE TO TWITTER MYSELF!

Fiorina: No John, Twittering is...

McCain: Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!

Fiorina: John...please stop that.

McCain: What's wrong Carly? I'm just twittering myself like you told me too. Shouldn't I be doing this to show that I'm hip and down and technology oriented?

[Fiorina has a long disgusted pause but can't seem to turn away]

Fiorina: You know what John, let's just call it a day. I'll see you tomorrow...

McCain: O.K. Carly, suit yourself. I'm just going to finish up my twitter session....

Film: Half-Life

The movie Half-Life which I heard about via some MySpace bulletins - and not to be confused with the Web turned T.V. turned cancelled show Quarterlife - is a film by Jennifer Phang that's going to be playing down at Outfest during the LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival from July 9 - 21st - and it sounds pretty slick:

A recent American indie film gem, the wholly original and subtly humorous HALF-LIFE focuses on a Northern California community struggling to adapt as global chaos looms. Cynical 19-year-old Pam is fixated on her best friend - cute nerd Scott, a gay Korean adoptee who can’t resist throwing his sexuality in the faces of his fundamentalist parents. Pam’s brother Timothy keenly observes his surroundings, and with some special powers, might be able to alter everybody’s reality.

Check out here and here for more information.

Tatum Jones, David Choi, Kristine Sa, Thomas' Apartment, Kawehi, and Goh Nakamura

Some quick music notes on some upcoming shows and interviews:

The smooth R & B band Tatum Jones is going to be playing down at the Temple Bar on July 19th, and if you haven't checked out their music yet head on down to their MySpace page and take a listen.

Singer/songwriter/producer David Choi has a new interview down on OC Weekly which you can check out here.

Kristine SA along with Thomas' Apartment, VY, and The Shinobies will be playing down at Crash Mansion LA on July 29th (and on VHN-TV). For more info check out Kristine Sa's MySpace page.

Sweet Pop/Rock/Electronic artist Kawehi is getting ready for a NY 2008 tour. Check out her pages for more info on when her tour will begin (no date set yet).

Goh Nakamura is going to be playing on a double decker bus for a project called Audio Bus this July 19th, and is going to be providing the soundtrack for a 30-40 minute busride around San Francisco. Not sure if you can still get tickets to it - but I'm sure you'll be able to spot it. Check out his page for more info.

That's The Way To Respond To A Racist E-mail

Check more out at communitychannel.

Random Picture With Asian People

Flickr Photo Url:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-edge/2537177394/

Author: Edgie168

Creative Commons License:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en

You Need Transparency

I was reading the article Feds investigate Rochester teacher's allegedly racist actions, and I have to wonder how people get away without having the transparency needed in the educational system - especially in a case where the teacher was alleged to have called her black students "monkeys" and spray them with water:

The teacher, Wendy Kaiser, was removed from the school in January and quietly reassigned to the School of Imaging and Information Technology at Edison in a shuffle that enraged Wilson parents and caught school board members off guard when they learned of it months later.

"No one knows the outcome of that investigation," Johnson said. "Was it founded? Was it unfounded? What was the protocol of the investigation? The school district hasn't told anybody anything."

Teachers have rights - and they have what can sometimes be thankless jobs where they're subject to sometimes false accusations - but in cases like this, it just behooves everyone to know what's going on.

Updated 2:50 PM - Because I had a grammar malfunction...

Chin A Finalist For California Poet Laureate

Cool:

SDSU creative writing professor Marilyn Chin has been named one of four finalists for Poet Laureate of California.

"As an Asian-American woman poet, I feel honored to have been selected," Chin said. "There’s so much going on in California and the Poet Laureate has an opportunity to represent the diverse and vibrant community of poets in California."

The poetry written by Chin, who immigrated to the United States in the 1960s, often deals with East-to-West assimilation and its inherent challenges.

Read more here.

Random Miss Universe 2008 Thoughts

You might have gotten robbed

Some random thoughts and news on the Miss Universe 2008 competition (which I'll actually probably watch if only because it's in Vietnam):

• While the Miss Universe crown is valued at 120K - and it's great that it was designed by Rosalina Tran Lydster of Jewelry by Rosalina and Ms. Dang Thi Kim Lien of CAO Fine Jewelry of Vietnam - I just find it odd that the first runner up only receives $3,000 in cash and a crystal trophy, while the winner of Best in Swimwear mini competition gets $2000 cash (and was won by Miss Mexico).
• Three Vietnamese judges join the jury - Nguyen Cong Khe (Editor-in-chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper), Rosalina Tran Lydster (Vietnamese-American), the co-designer of the crown for Miss Universe 2008, and Thuy Tran, (Vietnamese-American fashion/art expert).
• I just can't believe that it's going to be hosted by Jerry Springer and Mel B.
• Sucks to be UK entrant Lisa Lazarus who had her luggage lost and has had to rely on her mom to send her some emergency outfits.
• I'm not saying other people can't rock the ao dai, and Miss Venezuela was kidnapped as a child...but they are in Nha Trang.
• While I'm glad that the contestants visited the SOS Nha Trang village for disadvantaged children, couldn't they have ponied up a little more than $6300 bucks? I know 100 million VND sounds like a lot, but they could have at least made it an even $10k.

That's it.

Word to the cute kids in Nam who led contestants out in the rain with their umbrellas.

Chocolate: An Autistic Hero Who Channels Her Inner Tony Jaa And Bruce Lee

All I have to say is that the Thai movie Chocolate brought to you by director Prachya Pinkaew and fight choreographer Panna Rittikrai (from Ong Bak and Tom Yum Goong) completely and utterly rocks.

Here's the synopsis:

Yakuza Masashi and his Thai lover Zin were forced to separate with Masashi being sent back to Japan and Zin to continue staying in Bangkok as a single mother. Brought up single-handedly by Zin, thier daughter Zen is autistic in nature. She is compensated with agility and picks up Muay Thai through watching television programs and from observing the trainings taking place at the Muay Thai academy next door. Zen becomes an obsessive fighter who excels at catching fast-flying objects. When Zin is diagnosed with cancer, Zen has to fight her way through to collect money from her mother's debtors to raise her medical funds.

Yanin Vismistananda plays the ass-kicking autistic Zen - without any stunt double - who during parts of the movie does a couple of great Bruce Lee imitations (there's even a fight scene homage in an ice factory) and does some flat out amazing stunts - and even though the plot is kind of thin (but who really needs it in this type of flick?) her acting in non-fight scenes is pretty good too, and I imagine we'll be seeing a lot more from her in the future.

If you get a chance, definitely check this out - and then watch it again, because it's just that damn good.

Heath Hyche: Last Yellow Face Comic Standing

Thanks to my trusty DVR I had a chance to check out some of the previous week's Last Comic Standing on NBC and I'm glad I did, because otherwise I wouldn't have seen how comedian Heath Hyche decided to go where pretty much no other comedian goes anymore - full blown Mickey Rooney Yellow Face.

Dumbass Hyche does a prop bit where he's a fighter pilot in WW II and starts out looking like this:



And then of course being the crack comedian he is, he makes sure to play the other part as well, complete with his wax on wax off me so horny aren't Japanese accents just so fucking funny voice:





Seriously - are you fucking kidding me?

Who in their right mind does this shit anymore?

Oh wait - WTF was I thinking - half the audience laughed (you dumbfucks), and to make it more insulting they decided to get a closeup of an Asian girl who decided to laugh once the camera was on her (and while I'll give her some benefit of the doubt because the camera panned to her and she probably just got nervous as shit - if you ever catch me on camera with that going on you'll get a big Asian middle finger along with a tirade of "I can't believe that fucking KKK racist bullshit").

Richard Belzer and Steve Schirripa's reaction to Hyche's bit?



Exactly.

I gotta give it up to them - seriously give it up to them - for telling Hyche that there's no place for ethnic stereotyping in 2008, and that if they had to watch 45 minutes of his bullshit that they'd kill themselves.

So would I.

Here's Hyche after getting his beatdown on national television (and not making the finals).



See ya.

Enjoy the 4th!

Hey Slanty Peeps: I'm out for the holiday for a couple of days so I'm posting this today - hope you all enjoy the 4th with your friends and family. See ya in a couple of days.

Slanty