Daily Archives: October 3, 2011

Somewhere Between documentary

Somewhere Between documentary

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN examines what it is like to come-of-age as a trans-racial adoptee in today’s America, as seen through the eyes of four of the 79,562 adopted girls from China. Follow the experiences of 15 year old Fang “Jenni” from Berkeley, CA; 13 year old Haley from NAshville, TN; 14 year old Ann from Lansdale, PA; and 15 year old Jenna from Newburyport, PA. Through the voices of these young women, we will see not just their lives, but our own, reflected back to us – whether we are adoptive families or not. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN will start a dialogue about what we see, who we are, and the changing face of the American family.

Here’s more from the director:

The primary themes of Somewhere Between are identity formation, family, adoption and race. And really, the film focuses on the intersection of all of these through the coming-of-age of four girls. As they discover who they are, so do we. Through their specific stories, we, as viewers, will come to understand on a deeper level, the meaning of family, and our still prevalent cultural disconnects around stereotyping and race—whether we are adoptive families or not.

I hope the film will create an emotional experience for the audience, and in the process, educate and help create a language around being “other” in the U.S. I also hope the film will reveal how we all form our identities, and our growing global and personal interconnections (especially around the networks of women and girls that have been formed due to this large wave of adoptions.)

While all adoptees face similar feelings and challenges, I believe this wave of Chinese girls is in a category all its own – due to the sheer number of children involved, and because the adoptions (and abandonments) are based solely on gender. The personal, societal and cultural ramifications are significant.

Also see these other adoption documentaries: Wo Ai Ni Mommy, In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee, andResilience.

Somewhere Between documentary trailer

KNOTS trailer

KNOTS trailer

Director Michael Kang (The Motel, West 32nd) is about to release his latest film “KNOTS,” an UN-romantic comedy feature. Here’s more about about the film:

Lily Kim returns to Hawaii in order to escape an engagement trigger-happy boyfriend in LA. Once home, she reluctantly joins her dysfunctional family’s wedding planning business. Her mother and sisters have very different ideas about what marriage means and for Lily it means only one thing – divorce. Through this, Lily learns about love, life and floral arrangements.

KNOTS is an independent feature film (2011) written by Kimberly-Rose Wolter (Tre) and directed by Michael Kang (The Motel), and produced by Island Film Group (Princess Ka`iulani, Soul Surfer). The film stars Illeana Douglas (Stir of Echoes, Easy to Assemble), Sung Kang (Fast Furious 5), Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Mia Riverton (Red Doors, the Mentalist) and Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars).

One of the songs on the soundtrack is Happy Song by Emi Meyer, which Michael Kang also directed. The film makes its World Premiere 10.17.11 at Hawaii Int’l Film Fest followed by West Coast premiere 10.21.11 at San Diego Asian Film Fest.

KNOTS trailer

Mike Chang’s Dad : Glee Season 3 Episode 3 sneak peek

Mike Chang's Dad : Glee Season 3 Episode 3 sneak peek

Glee fans, don’t read this post or watch this video if you don’t want spoilers.

Previously, we posted the Glee Season 3 Episode 3 sneak peek : Asian F. Another video of Mike Chang played by Harry Shum Jr. and Keong Sim as Mike Chang Sr. has surfaced online. It’s a longer clip of Mike Chang after he gets an Asian F and is sent to the principal Figgin’s office. Mike Chang, Mike Chang Sr., and Principal Figgins discuss the causes of this education failure by Mike Chang. Mike Chang Sr. busts out the Tiger parent card trying to cut off Mike Chang from Glee club and the vampire-sucking Tina Cohen-Chang (played by Jenna Ushkowitz). According to Mike’s father, both Glee club and his girlfriend are distractions to his sons educational path. As we said before, many Asian American will be able to identify with this storyline.

If Mike Chang sticks with Glee, he could have Harry Shum Jr’s career with skills seen in Matched, LXD, Buffet, 3 Steps to Self Esteem, Best Date EVER!, and 3 Minutes.

Mike Chang’s Dad : Glee Season 3 Episode 3 sneak peek

SF City Retrospect by Rocky Rivera x Davinci

SF City Retrospect by Rocky Rivera x Davinci

Rappers Rocky Rivera x Davinci offer a jazzy rap ode to the City by the Bay in “SF City Retrospect” off her Pop Killer MXTP mixtape. It’s a tight video blending the past and the present into one. They lowride it through the city with rap along with piano and violin instrumentals. Musically, it reminds us of Jam Session 2.0.

Watch more Rocky Rivera: Girl Like Me, MRSHMLO, and Trick Habit.

SF City Retrospect by Rocky Rivera x Davinci (contains explicit lyrics)

When I’m Gone by Pmac

When I'm Gone by Pmac

Rapper Pmac dropped the visuals for his track “When I’m Gone” off his First Impression mixtape. The autobiographical track has Pmac talking about his rising as an independent artist. Pmac is doing it his own way to rise to the top. As the footage shows, he’s been doing show and even recently opened for Mike Posner.

He’s been on a tear with music videos recently. Check out invincible, Dreams Money Can Buy, and One. You can cop his mixtape First Impression for FREE here.

When I’m Gone by Pmac (contains explicit language)

Lyrics to When I’m Gone by Pmac

I got space on the wall that I’m reserving for a plaque
And Imma fill it up just as soon as I get back
Running circles on the beat, overlapping every track
Flying out to different cities all across on the map
Got me time zone shifting, they tell me skys the limit
But I’m chillen with the stars I probably woulda missed it
And I never listened to what they said I’m supposed to be
I’d rather fail then have somebody controlling me
So what I never had I learned to do my damn self
And got further than anybody who had help
They buy a mic and think that talent comes included
But working hard beats talent when talent doesn’t do it
Throwing V’s up when my crews around
And middle finger to the haters trynna shoot me down
I don’t know if what I’m doing is wrong
But for now I just gotta move on so

When I’m gone
You can hate me now but I’m sorry I gotta move on
I came from nothing and made it something
I wish that you could see where I’m coming from
But maybe you’ll believe when I’m number one
So Imma keep on grinding, grinding, grinding
I just hope you don’t forget me when I’m gone

Clearing out the runway
Had delayed flights but I’m finally on the plane
Looking at the TV saying that’ll be me one day
And just a year ago nobody even knew my name
We used to be local, now we turning major
Used to do free shows, now we making paper
And my team stays on point like a laser
Beaming through the city, give a fuck about a hater
I was tired of waiting, now buzz is accumulating
Young prince in the making, the throne is mine for the taking
Nothing less than amazing and frequently I am chasing
My dreams and seems they consistently try to wake me up But when I make it I bet they’ll be acting fake as fuck
Come from the bottom now the only other place is up
Without a day off I’m hoping that it pays off
And they don’t wanna see me take off
When I’m gone
You can hate me now but I’m sorry I gotta move on
I came from nothing and made it something
I wish that you could see where I’m coming from
But maybe you’ll believe when I’m number one
So Imma keep on grinding, grinding, grinding
I just hope you don’t forget me when I’m gone

2011 Kollaboration Seattle

2011 Kollaboration Seattle

Hey Seattle readers, Kollaboration Seattle returns with a new and more diverse lineup of fresh local talents and special guests for its second annual showcase on October 15, 2011. Here’s the lineup of the upcoming show:

COMPETITORS for the $1,000 Grand Prize:
* Lijie
* Iwillbot
* The Boom Katzz
* Lions Ambition
* Stuart Sakoda
* Clairbel Novelo

SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES:
* JAYESSLEE (Australia’s #2 Most-Subscribed YouTube Musicians: www.youtube.com/jayesslee)
* GOWE (Kollaboration Seattle Alum)
* MASSIVE MONKEES (America’s Best Dance Crew)
* JOEY GUILA (Comedian, Guest MC)
* ROY CHOI (MC and Kollaboration CEO/Executive Producer)

GUEST JUDGES:
* CHASE ‘CHA CHA’ MALONE (Art of Movement/Producer)
* TRAVIS GRAHAM (New Heights)
* KENNY CHOI (Daphne Loves Derby / Wolftron)
* ERIN KIM (Kollaboration Seattle 2010 Grand Prize Winner
* HOAN DO (Inspirational Speaker / Author)

$1,000 Grand Prize
$500 Audience Choice
$500 Value Most Creative Award

The event takes place from 7pm to 10pm at
The Auburn Performing Arts Center
700 E. Main St.
Auburn, WA 98002
Get tickets here.

2011 Kollaboration Seattle promo video