AAIFF And The INTERPRETATIONS NY Panel

If you're down at AAIFF this weekend definitely get on out to the YOMYOMF Interpretations Panel where you'll be treated to some moderation Jennifer 8 Lee style along with panelists Elaine Chin, Evan Jackson Leong, and Ken Leung.

Join us as we screen our commissioned shorts on the big screen and engage in a lively discussion about INTERPRETATIONS and the general state of Asian American film with our distinguished panel (see below). We’ve also commissioned a brand-new INTERPRETATIONS short film from actor Ken Leung (Lost) specifically for our NY event so come out and be the first to see that. Ken will also be in attendance.

The event will be on Saturday, July 17, 5 PM at the Clearview Chelsea Cinema. Tickets are FREE and available now along with all the other info you need here. Reserve your seat now before we sell-out.

The panel will consist of:

Jennifer 8 Lee (Moderator)

Jennifer 8. Lee was a reporter at The New York Times for nine years. She harbors a deep obsession for Chinese food, the product of which is the best-selling book, The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, which explores how Chinese food is all-American. At the Times, she wrote about poverty, the environment, crime, politics, and technology. She has been called, by NPR, a “conceptual scoop artist.” One of her better known articles is on the Man Dates, and also on the fastest growing baby name in the history of America. Jennifer is a former member of the Poynter Institute National Advisory Board, a board member of the Asian American Writers Workshop, and has been featured in the Esquire Women We Love issue.

Elaine Chin

Elaine Chin is an independent producer based in L.A. and one of the founding bloggers at YOMYOMF which is launching INTERPRETATIONS. Currently, Elaine is based in Los Angeles, developing and consulting on film projects with writers and directors as Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, Fast & Furious), Stephen Chin (Gummo, Another Day in Paradise), and Eric Lahey (Century Plaza, Spoons – Sundance Lab 2007) and serves as an adjunct professor at UCLA Extension’s Entertainment Studies Certificate Program and National University’s M.F.A. Program at the School of Media and Communication. She was previously a Director of Development and Production at HBO and 20th Century Fox where she worked on such films as Angels in America, The Notorious Bettie Page and Mongol.

Evan Jackson Leong

Evan Jackson Leong is a 6th generation Chinese American native of San Francisco, California. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Asian American studies. As a short form filmmaker he has directed numerous music videos, commercials, shorts that have played on MTV in the domestic and international markets. As a long form documentary filmmaker, he has directed two half hour nationally broadcast projects: Him Mark Lai: The People’s Historian and Forging a Feature: The Journey of Better Luck Tomorrow. In his growth as a young filmmaker he has been mentored by Justin Lin with various credits in Better Luck Tomorrow, Fast And Furious 3 and as a co-producer on Finishing The Game. He recently completed a feature length documentary, 1040, which explores the happenings of Christianity in Asia. Evan also directed the boys from Far East Movement in the INTERPRETATIONS commissioned short, Far East Futura.

Ken Leung

Ken Leung is an actor. His film and television work include HBO’s Sopranos, ABC’s Lost, and Showtime’s Sucker Free City directed by Spike Lee. Rumble (Ken’s INTERPRETATIONS short) is his first film as director.

Cool.

4ME: Are They Really That Bad?

You know my shameless love for all things fluffy and poppy and while I'm technically not the target demographic for this band (who ranges in age from 13-20) I couldn't help but see if they were any good and how they might stack up against some of the K & J girl groups out there - and maybe it's just me - but I don't think they're that bad.

I'm not saying they can act ('cause I gotta draw the line somewhere), but give 'em a few years and who know's - Wonder Girls + 4ME Meets JYP?

Just Say No Illinois. Just Say No (And Nancy Reagan Was Kinda MILFY?)

Because who in their right mind wants to be the new Arizona? And yes, I felt bad actually just typing that...

Two weeks ago, the AP reported that lawmakers or candidates in 18 states say they plan to push for legislation modeled after Arizona's SB 1070 when they go back into legislative sessions next year. Thanks to two Republicans here, Illinois has joined those ranks.

Speaking at a Decatur press conference Thursday night, State Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) and Adam Brown, a Decatur city councilman and GOP candidate for the 101st Illinois House District, promised to push an enforcement-only immigration bill this winter.

Read more about the insanity.

Out On DVD Today: Tom Huang's Why Am I Doing This

I've already mentioned this film and DVD (pre-orders anyone?) and guess what? It comes out today. Like today today. Not tomorrow or some other today in a universe you wish you were in.

Today.

Lester (Anthony Montgomery) is trying to be the next Jerry Seinfeld, except everyone wants him to be Martin Lawrence. Tony (Tom Huang) is trying to be the next Tom Cruise, except everyone wants him to be the wacky sushi chef. Hot Amber (Emma Caulfield) thinks she should be the next Julia Roberts by now, but isn't. Against all odds, they chase the Hollywood dream, while courting beautiful wanna-bes and high-powered producers, as well as dealing with their crazy families in this hilarious, award-winning film that had audiences laughing in theaters coast to coast.

FEATURING:

Anthony Montgomery ("Star Trek: Enterprise")
Emma Caulfield ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer"; "Gigantic"; "Confined")
Tamyln Tomita ("Joy Luck Club"; "Tekken")
Joe Torry ("Sprung"; "Poetic Justice")
Sheethal Seth ("The World Unseen")
Valerie PEttiford ("House of Payne")
Keone Young (HBO's "Deadwood")
Clyde Kusatsu ("Harold & Kumar" films)
Gerry Bednob ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin")
James Kyson Lee (NBC's "Heroes")
Lynn Chen ("White On Rice")
Obba Babatundé ("Half & Half"; "Ms. Evers' Boys")

Yul Kwon, Mike Honda, And The Power Of Two

A documentary filmmaker, health advocates and federal officials are coming together this Thursday, July 15, 2010, to lead a discussion on health issues critical to Asian and Pacific Islander American communities and an inspirational upcoming feature documentary film, THE POWER OF TWO.

Yul Kwon, Survivor: Cook Islands champion and Deputy Chief of the Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission, twin global health advocates Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, and Academy Award nominated producer Marc Smolowitz (The Weather Underground, 2003) will present at a briefing produced in conjunction with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) on July 15 at 10:00 a.m. in the Capitol Visitor Center, room HVC-215.

Get it in full here and make sure to check out the trailer because it looks like a great story.

Racing Romance: Love, Power, And Desire Among Asian American/ White Couples

While I know nothing about this book whatsoever (and it's a little old) the title definitely peaked my interest and there are also some free PDF's available in the link above.

Racing Romance sheds light on the bonds between whites and Asian Americans, an important topic that has not garnered well-deserved attention until now. Using primary source narratives and interviews, Kumiko Nemoto addresses the contradictions and tensions-a result of race, class, and gender-that Asian Americans and whites experience. Racing Romance reveals how “progressive” interracial relationships remain shaped by the logic of patriarchy and gender inherent to the ideal of marriage, family, and nation in America, even as this ideal is juxtaposed with discourses of multiculturalism and color blindness.

Travis Wong + LXD

Meet The Cast: Travis Wong

The Khun Brothers + Canon Ti2

As I was checking out some videos for the Canon Ti2 I happened to catch this short by The Khun Brothers from a couple months ago on YouTube.

Enjoy.

JIN: Angels

It's Not Just Your World: The Cheonan

From Those WH To Me And Now On To You.

Statement by NSC Spokesman Mike Hammer on the UN Security Council Presidential Statement on the Cheonan

Today’s UN Security Council Presidential statement condemns the attack by North Korea on the Cheonan and warns North Korea that the international community will not tolerate such aggressive behavior against the Republic of Korea. The unanimous statement, reflecting the shared view of the 5 members of the Six-Party Talks, constitutes an endorsement of the findings of the Joint Investigative Group that established North Korea’s responsibility for the attack. We commend the Republic of Korea’s restraint in the face of North Korean belligerence and reiterate our unwavering commitment to the defense of South Korea. This statement increases North Korea's international isolation, which includes the strongest sanctions that it has ever faced through UNSC Resolution 1874, as the international community continues to make clear the cost that comes with North Korea's provocative behavior.

I Kinda Feel Like I'm Watching The Viet Male Version Of Lady Gaga

You be the judge.

Time To Submit: ID Film Fest, Japanese American National Museum, And MAPID

It's DIY people.

DIY.

JULY 8, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Call for Filmmaker Submissions

ID Film Fest, Japanese American National Museum, and MAPID announce a call for submissions to The Asian American Independent Feature Conference (AAIFC) scheduled for October 9, 2010.

AAIFC is a one-day think tank and networking conference for filmmakers on the state of creating Asian American independent feature content.

The conference’s goal is to provide an intimate environment for a select group of 30 filmmakers to meet with industry professionals such as experienced filmmakers, producers, distributors, executives and exhibitors to bring their feature projects toward realization.

Applications are open to Asian Pacific American filmmakers and filmmakers who are working on an Asian American themed project.

Interested applicants should send in a 1-paged synopsis for a feature project and a 1-paged bio.

There is no charge for filmmakers to apply and/or to attend.

Deadline for submissions is 11:59PM September 1, 2010.

Please send synopsis and bio pasted into the body of the email. Email submissions to: conference@mapid.us.

For more information, please contact conference@mapid.us

Holy Shit: Erik Spoelstra You Got Handed A Dream Team

Consider it OVER for the Lakers cause no way in MF hell are they going to beat the trio of James, Bosh and Wade - seriously - that's gonna be a MF team that will be hard for anyone to beat - even my Celtics - and I'm just gonna say this now - who knows - maybe the gods of basketball will give KG and Co. another ring - but honestly - all I got to say - is WTF.

Crazy like a MF.

Retro Thursday Hoang Thuy Linh

Random White Noise: Kết Thúc + Là Con Gái Thật Tuyệt

Kết Thúc



Là Con Gái Thật Tuyệt

Imma Be The Best: Thai Viet G feat. Michelle Martinez

Because You Wanted To Know: Zhang Ziyi Set To Play Lin Huiyin

Zhang Ziyi's next character will be Lin Huiyin, the first female architect in modern China, the Qilu Evening News reports. The newspaper quoted Dong Zhaohui, whose company, Joy Media, is investing in the film "Lin Huiyin", as saying that Zhang has been cast as Lin and filming is scheduled to begin later this year. Lin Huiyin (1904-1955), has been widely adored in China for her beauty and achievements in architecture and literature. She ranked first in a survey last year on modern China's most beautiful women. (Zhang Ziyi is the 12th.) Lin and her husband Liang Sicheng were involved in the design of China's national emblem, as well as the Monument to the People's Heroes that now stands in the heart of Beijing's Tian'anmen Square. Award-winning Chinese-American architect Maya Lin is Huiyin's niece.

I know - it's random. Kind of.

From Twitter To Michelle Wie

I was checking out Twitter and seeing what people were conjuring up about Michelle Wie, and you know - I think we have to give her a break and in a way - because women's golf will never have the audience that men's golf will (at least in the near future - and I'm not stating my opinion on either, but an observation like the NBA versus the WNBA) - I think she's been doing enough.

And she makes 10 mil a year (and is also a 1/2 time student).

I think that's pretty damn good.

This One's For You Brewtown: Michelle Her

Because you just can't have enough French Hops in your day (yeah, I know....sad isn't it?)

Boungning and her brother, both under 6 at the time, were adopted by a French family, while their parents moved to Paris to find work and settle down. Boungning was given her French name, Michelle, and she lived with her adopted family for 15 years, visiting with her parents on weekends and holidays before moving back in with them outside Paris. She moved to Milwaukee 17 years ago after she got married [...]

On sustaining their Asian culinary traditions in France: In Paris we had the thing called the Chinatown. It was a huge place where Asians could go and buy their ingredients. They had a huge grocery store. The French have an abundance of spices and exotic products. It wasn't hard at all. When we didn't go (to Chinatown), (Mom) would go to the French supermarket. Each village, each town has its own butchery, spice store - it's all separate.

My mom cooks a lot - because of the Lao culture that she has - she cooks a lot with lemon grass, with galangal, lemon leaves. Those are the main spices for her dish. But with that she also combined the French stew, the beef stew the French make - boeuf bourguignon - my mom would use that (recipe) but she would add lemongrass and hot pepper.

District 19 And The Asian American Legal Defense And Education Fund

I'm not saying there actually was intimidation and fraud in this election - because I don't really know - but even if there's a hint of it - you gotta check it out....and it's not like the AALDEF goes barking up trees just because they can.

Because that would be a waste of everyone's time.

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is asking the Justice Department to investigate last year's City Council election in District 19 and to appoint observers "to deter future discriminatory conduct and intimidation." That was the race where Republican Dan Halloran beat Democrat Kevin Kim, and which we wrote about during our limited-time-only election blog, Brawl For The Hall. At the time, AALDEF told us their observers saw Asian-American voters and volunteers for Kim's campaign harrassed and even assaulted by whites.

Read it in full here.