Daily Archives: October 9, 2008

Japanese monkeys waiters

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A pair of Japanese monkeys waiters – Yat-chan (12 years old)and Fuku-chan (4 years old) – serve customers in a restaurant in northern Tokyo. The monkeys
deliver bottles of sake and beer as well as hand towels to customers. Both monkeys were once household pets, but now they are certified restaurant employees. The monkey pair work in shifts of up to a maximum of two hours a day, due to animal rights regulations. And so their employer is now ready to train three new baby monkeys this year. Additionally, Yat-chan also trains for karate. (All kinds of crazy animals in Japan. Remember the Green Polar Bears.)

Japanese monkeys waiters

Yat-chan practicing karate

Yat-chan serving drinks

Petition to get Asian Americans on L Word

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There have been a small number of ethnicities represented on the L word from African American to Latin American, but there’s one segment that the producers of the show have not represented and that is the Asian American group. With the last season of The L Word, a petition is circulating urge the producers and the writers to include some Asian representation into the storyline. The petition wants to join the writers and producers of The L Word with Alice Wu (writer and director of Saving Face) to develop a short appearance or a storyline on The L Word. In Saving Face, Chinese-American lesbian doctor, Wilhelmina “Wil” Pang portrayed by Michelle Krusiec and Wil’s dancer-lover Vivian Shing “Viv,” played by Lynn Chen start a romatic relationship. The petition wants transport the characters of Wil and Viv into the world of the L Word.

For more about the petition, go here.

Saving Face Trailer

2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival

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9th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival

The San Diego Asian Film Festival is excited to announce its ninth season, taking place at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinema at Hazard Center, OCTOBER 9-16, 2008. As San Diego’s largest Pan Asian cultural event, more than 20,000 attendees will experience over 130 short and feature films from a record 17 countries including the Canada, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong , Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S.

Highlights include:

·Opening night film on Thursday, October 9 with the theatrical premiere of Academy Award Winning director Jessica Yu’s first narrative feature, PING PONG PLAYA, a hilarious comedy about a young man trying to fight for his family’s ping pong dynasty

·Closing night film on Thursday, October 16 – ALWAYS 2: SUNSET ON THIRD STREET, directed by Yamazaki Takashi, sequel to a heartwarming post-war Japanese film that swept Japan’s version of the Academy Awards.

·West Coast premieres of Korean thriller hit PUBLIC ENEMY RETURNS directed by Woo-Suk Kang: and one of the most sought-after martial arts froms from Thailand, CHOCOLATE, directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who also directed “Ong Bak”

·Controversial documentary, DIRTY HANDS: THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE directed by Harry Kim

·Free Films at Four series, we are offering free films to public at 4PM October 13-16

·Twelve short film programs including our popular all-animation program ANIMATION: THE ILLUSION OF LIFE and REEL VOICES, a free short documentary showcase by local high school students

Film festival organizers will also encourage attendees to register to vote through a REEL IN THE VOTE campaign to address why Asian Pacific Islanders have the lowest voter turnout and lowest political participation. Along with screening PSAs encouraging voter participation, the festival will present a free REEL IN THE VOTE films program on Tuesday, October 14 at the Hazard Center UltraStar.

Patrons can also attend three panels including one with the directors and stars of Harold & Kumar 2: Escape From Guantanamo Bay, plus a panel with local comic book artist Jim Lee, discussing the trend of converting comics into movies. More than 100 filmmakers and actors are scheduled to attend including John Cho (Harold and Kumar, and the upcoming Star Trek prequel), Aaron Yoo (Disturbia, 21, The Wackness), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Smith Cho (Knight Rider, Ping Pong Playa), and James Kyson Lee (Heroes).

Buy 2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Tickets here.

2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Trailer

2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival

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The 2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival will be held on October 9-12th, 2008 at the Alamo Drafthouse. We are proud to screen over 40 films (all premiers) from all around the globe! Aside from screenings, we have a fantastic Opening Night Party at Arthouse Museum, a rowdy multimedia concert at Club de Ville, and a captivating discussion panel at the University of Texas. This year, with China being a huge force in world news, they are focusing on Chinese and Chinese American cinema. With over a dozen special guest appearances and lively events planned every night, this
year!s festival is going to be the best yet.



2008 Festival Highlights:

– Opening Night Film: Hollywood Chinese (Texas Premiere)

Hollywood Chinese, currently in New York theatres, traces and examines the last 100 years of Hollywood from a Chinese American point of view. Featuring interviews with over 25 Asian American cinematic icons, this film delves into hidden and overt racism in Hollywood but also celebrates the filmmakers and actors who have helped shape the industry. Acclaimed filmmaker, Arthur Dong will be in attendance!



– Closing Night Film: Still Life (Texas Premiere)

Winner of the prestigious Silver Lion!s award, Still Life, with legendary Chinese filmmaker, Jia Zhangke, is a masterpiece based on the famous incident of the destruction of the three gorge dam. As two strangers look for their lost loves in a mall village haunted by memories and happiness, the village prepares to be once again flooded. They are incredibly proud to bring this amazing film to Austin.



– Tribute to Vincent Chin

October 10th, 5:30pm

On June 19th, 1982, Vincent Chin, mistaken for being Japanese, was brutally murdered by two white auto-workers (who blamed Asians for stealing their jobs). This defining moment opened the eyes of the Asian American community to the injustice of racist attitudes and the importance of standing up for equal rights. Two films will be screened exploring the Vincent Chin incident and why it is imperative to keep the story alive. They are excited to bring the two filmmakers to Austin: Academy Award nominated Christine Choy (Who Killed Vincent
Chin?) and Curtis Chin (Vincent Who?)!


Buy ticket to the 2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival here.

2008 Austin Asian American Film Festival Trailer

1st Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

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The 1st Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will take place Thursday, October 9th to Sunday, October 12th. The Opening Night Film (Thursday, Oct. 9th 7-9pm) “Far North” starring Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Michelle Krusiec (Saving Face) & Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings) will premiere at the Bridge: Cinema de Lux (40th & Walnut St). A free reception will immediately follow for ticket holders at the Carriage House (3907 Spruce Street) on University of Pennsylvania campus, a short 2 block walk from the theater.



The Asian Arts Initiative (AAI) will be hosting all the remaining screenings and events from Friday, October 10th to Sunday, October 12th at their new building on 1219 Vine Street, just outside Chinatown.

Other Feature Films include:

Planet B-Boy (Centerpiece Film. Director scheduled to attend)

Kissing Cousins (Closing Night Film w/free party afterwards. Lead Actor scheduled to attend)

Half Life

Pretty To Think So

Santa Mesa

The Sensei

Shiro’s Head

Short Films include:
72 Hour Shootout Top Ten

Since You’ve Been Ong

along with many other shorts



Get your tickets to the 1st Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival here.

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Trailer



Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Supporters