Got some e-mails via the AAA listserv about some possible movies to be shown next year (Note: David and I are off the board and only getting e-mails for the sake of writing entries; this lets us return to our full time jobs as creepy internet stalkers). A pretty interesting discussion was taking off, with some pretty cool movie names being dropped. Thought y'all would like to know about them.
So here are two films that have been discussed so far (I'm bolding everything that sounds interesting and cutting everything that's yawn-worthy from the original websites' synopses):
via the official YoTF website:Cinderella in a Chinatown massage parlour
YEAR OF THE FISH is an animated independent feature film written and directed by David Kaplan, shot entirely on location in New York City’s Chinatown. A modern-day adaptation of Cinderella based on an old Chinese version of the story, it was shot on inexpensive live-action video that was used as a guide for digital painting in post-production.
A young hopeful girl named Ye Xian (An Nguyen) travels alone to New York City to try to make some money for her ailing father back home in China. She falls into the clutches of Mrs. Su (Tsai Chin), who runs a massage parlor in the heart of Chinatown. But Ye Xian refuses to do the requisite sex work for the clients, so she is made into a menial servant who must do all the laundry, cleaning, shopping and cooking – a Cinderella. However, she finds solace in a magical fish given to her by the strange hunchback Auntie Yaga (Randall Duk Kim) and in her fleeting, tender encounters with Johnny (Ken Leung), a local jazz musician.
Kaplan’s screenplay is based on a 9th Century Chinese variant of the folk-tale, the oldest known version of the story, recorded some 800 years before our better-known European versions.
The animation was created with an advanced algorithmic digital painting technology to achieve a living, fluctuating painterly look. The aesthetic effect is totally unique, less like a graphic novel and more like a painting brought to life.
Why I'd watch this film: I've read this story as a kid; magical fishes are weird; the hunchback woman is played by a man; Ken Leung pretty much dominates independent American cinema, oh and he's in Lost; animated versions of live-shot films are cool (example: Waking Life). Oh yeah, and it was the centerpiece of the AAIFF 2007.
via Vincent Chin official website:
VINCENT WHO? (48 minutes) - In 1982, Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments. For the first time, Asian Americans around the country galvanized to form a real community and movement. This documentary, inspired by a series of town halls organized by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress on the 25th anniversary of the case, features interviews with the key players at the time, as well as a whole new generation of activists. "Vincent Who?" asks how far Asian Americans have come since then and how far we have yet to go. Featured interviews include: Helen Zia (lead activist during the Chin trial), Renee Tajima Pena (director, "Who Killed Vincent Chin?"), Stewart Kwoh (Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Legal Center), Lisa Ling (journalist), Sumi Pendakur (Univ. of Southern California), Dale Minami (civic rights attorney), Doua Thor (Executive Director, Southeast Asian Resource Action Center) and a group of five diverse young APA activists whose lives were impacted by Vincent Chin.
Producer and co-director Curtis Chin (featured in the documentary) is an award-winning writer and producer who has worked for ABC, NBC, Disney Channel and more. As a community activist, he co-founded the Asian American Writers Workshop and Asian Pacific Americans for Progress. Co-director Tony Lam is a writer, producer, and director based in Los Angeles. A former Fulbright scholar, he currently produces "Our Role Models" on LA18, where he has interviewed over 100 outstanding leaders and talents in the Asian American community.
So there you go. Why I would watch this: Vincent Chin is just too damn important for people not to know who he is. In case you get impatient and want to watch something about the man before this comes out, watch the original documentary that made Vincent Chin famous, Who Killed Vincent Chin?
If forced to make a choice at gun point for which film to watch, I'd go with Vincent Who? It brings me back to a recent event, where poet Elijah Kuang Wong recited this crazy poem at a hate crimes art exhibit that I attended in Brooklyn. It was about Vincent Chin, and Elijah went all Lily Chin on the audience and started screaming "WHERE IS MY SON? WHERE IS MY SON? WHEREISMYSONWHEREISMYSONWHEREISMYSONWHEREISMYSONWHEREISMYSON!!!!!!!!"
Elijah, if you're reading this - please know that I've seen you about seven times now at various APA events and we (you, me, the Blaaagers, and so on) should meet. We saw you critique Ryan Takemiya's ECAASU workshop in a fur jacket, the one that you always wear. That was pretty damn cool of you. We also saw you at NYCAASC '08, which was also damn cool because half of The Blaaag staff was on the planning board.
So y'all know how much we love Sulu Series / Taiyo Na, but it's not too often that we promote its monthly shows. This month's however, is something special. Why? Take a look:
Um, HELLO. Vivica Kai Zhang = Barnard student and former AAA OCM. Alice Hu = Columbia student and recent performer at Culture Shock. Need I say more?
Is this your way of shouting out to your Chinese hosts?With "funny" gestures of eye slanting?
Read more at Shanghaiist.
While I don't think we Blaaagers can seriously call ourselves Trekkies, here's an exciting promotional poster of John Cho's portrayal of Sulu in the 2009 Star Trek (... directed by JJ Abrams!) Four were released yesterday at the Star Trek convention in Vegas... yadda yadda... here it is!
It's perhaps commendable that Star Trek, having been (I think?) a statement upon racial and social egalitarianism, did not recast Sulu as another "normative" chump the way other franchises might have. Anyhow, enjoy these until the movie comes out! And because I wouldn't feel right without mentioning the original Sulu, here's the guy who paved this road - George Takei.
Sob.
(screen shot capture)The Asian American conferences are always happening, no matter what time of year it is! NAASCon just notified members of its Facebook group that the conference (Oct 17-19) is now accepting registrants on its newly sleek looking website. Get on that.
Be sure your farewell wishes, gratitude, and praises can be transmitted electronically - see it here.
In the spring of 2007, I was toiling away to bring a certain Seattle hip-hop group to campus when a fellow AAAPC-er suggested I visit a certain staff member who could help me out. The suggestion was accompanied by much raving over his ability to connect with students in a way that most of the university administration simply can't.
This staff member was Ajay Nair, Associate Dean of Student Affairs (CC/SEAS), nestled away in his office (at the time) in the Intercultural Resource Center. The positive affirmations were true: I found in Dean Nair a rare specimen at Columbia--someone who could see students' points of view, who would help build the bridges between students and the guardians of Columbia's bureaucratic nightmare, and who knew the perils of advocating for a progressive anything on campus. He also has a background in Asian American Studies--an undeniable plus. At that first meeting, we ended up talking for the better part of an hour about Asian Americans in hip-hop, mutual acquaintances (he knows a lot of people), and various goings-on at Columbia.
This past year, when a bunch of students launched the November hunger strike, we sat across from Dean Nair in tense negotiations, lamenting that we had to put him in that compromised position of representing the Other Side, but grateful nevertheless that he was still trying to help us out in whatever limited ways he could. While other admin brushed off our demands and scuttled away from demonstrations in underground tunnels, he took our concerns seriously and demonstrated genuine empathy for the seven hunger strikers. This past semester, he taught his first (and now, only) class in the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race, titled "South Asians in the U.S." Nothing short of engrossing, the course seamlessly wove together academia, art, and activism, and I doubt DJ Rekha will set foot in Hamilton Hall again for quite some time.
This morning, I received an email from Chris Colombo:
While I can only imagine, I'm sure a lot of people cringed on reading these words. Dean Nair meant a lot to a lot of people, and he'll surely be missed at Columbia. I, for one, am now kicking myself for missing out on the opportunity to play basketball with him in Riverside Park (damn those Thursday afternoon naps that spin out of control). Many others will miss seeing his incredibly adorable kids, Rani and Krishna. And all will miss his warmth, passion, and dedication.Dear Student,
I am writing to inform you that Dr. Ajay Nair, Associate Dean of Student Affairs/Office of Multicultural Affairs will be returning to the University of Pennsylvania to assume the role of Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs later in July.
[...]
While Dr. Nair will be greatly missed, I know that he is excited to return to his home and serve in this valuable position for the University of Pennsylvania. In his new role, Dr. Nair will provide leadership for all aspects of student affairs and activities while also serving as a Faculty Fellow in the College Houses and Academic Services at the University of Pennsylvania.
Please join me in wishing Dr Nair and his family all the best as they pursue this exciting opportunity for his career.
Best of luck to you, Dean Nair. (And congrats to Melinda Aquino, who will be taking over his position in the fall!)
Name, School
Yitian Li, GS 2011
Greatest personal feat of genius, AAA-wise?
See above.
Fondest memory?
Culture shock sophomore year. It was the first time we named the show Culture Shock, the first time we tried a lion dance/hoheup collaboration, the first time we tried a fashion show, and the first and only time Calvin, Tian and I ran the show. The week of rehearsals was a disaster. Groups didn't show up, movies didn't work, and we even blew out a projector bulb. By the day of the show everyone was nervous as hell. The show started and the opening video played without a glitch. Then the groups performed well. And all the lighting worked. And nobody screwed up. And before you knew the show was over. We absolutely nailed it.
Favorite weekend hangout?
EXCELSIOR!!!
Pick your poison, in five words or less.
Gin and tonic.
Name the Asian American activist you think would be best in bed.
All the sexy ladies of AAA PC!
Favorite Asian American political cause and why?
Awareness. Making people realize that there are Asian American issues
in immigration, voting rights, media representation and that we can do
something about it is like teaching people how to fish.
Favorite AAA yearly/semesterly tradition?
OCM interviews.
What would you sooner eat: seasoned cow penis or blended hot peppers?
Blended cow peppers. I'm not gonna even touch the other one.
What you'll miss most about AAA, post-graduation
The people, duh.
Where can we expect to see you in ten years?
Planting avocados in Argentina.
What are three things you would tell the AAA board of 2012-2013?
1. Enjoy what you're doing.
Don't forget that the main goal of AAA is to hold events that you enjoy with people whose company you enjoy. The moment that's not true anymore, you gotta change something.
2. It's ok to make mistakes.
This is one of the only times you'll get to use thousands of dollars and work with great creative people to pursue whatever events you want with almost no consequences for screwing up. Take advantage of it. The real world is not as forgiving.
3. There are no stories involving dolphins, bats, or people ridin' dirty. If anyone tells you differently, they're trying to sell you something.
Have a great year AAA!