Category Archives: los angeles

Extraordinary Chambers in Los Angeles

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Extraordinary Chambers in Los Angeles

As the Khmer Rouge once again attracts international attention, the world premiere play “Extraordinary Chambers” gets to the heart of the headlines. It’s a thrilling drama about the consequences of one couple’s seemingly innocuous business trip to Cambodia, will include Marin Hinkle (Two and a Half Men) and Mather Zickel (Rachel Getting Married) as Mara and Carter, the couple at the center of the story. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, the cast also features Greg Watanabe as Sopoan, the couple’s guide through the unfamiliar territory, as well as Francois Chau (LOST) and Kimiko Gelman, who play the roles of a high-powered Cambodian business man and his wife, respectively. As business deals unravel and personal negotiations brim with political consequences, the couple must decide if the salvation of one life is worth sacrificing the justice of many. Extraordinary Chambers will open in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles on June 1, 2011.

Preview Performances: Tuesday, May 24 – Tuesday, May 31
Opening Night: Wednesday, June 1
Closing Night: Sunday, July 3

For tickets and additional information, go here.

Extraordinary Chambers Trailer

Greg Watanabe on what drew him to the play

Francois Chau talks about getting into acting and his particular role

California Considers Shark Fin Soup Ban

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California Considers Shark Fin Soup Ban

California lawmakers are considering a bill that would make the sale of shark fins in the state illegal. Assemblymembers Paul Fong and Jared Huffman co-wrote AB 376, which who essentially put a ban on sale, possession and trade in shark fins in California. Shark fins are used in an expensive, traditional Chinese soup and usually served at special occasions in the Chinese-American community. It has been an esteemed delicacy for thousands of year. The proposed ban on shark fins chips away at this Chinese tradition.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is throwing his weight behind the ban. He has joined with the organization Wild Aid, promising he will never eat it again and he is urging others to do the same. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, a lead sponsor of AB 376, released a poll last week stating a survey of 600 registered voters found that 76 percent of all voters and 70 percent of Chinese-Americans support AB 376. (The margin of error for the sample of 600 California voters is +/- 4.0 percent; the margin of error for the sample of 218 Chinese-American voters is +/- 6.8 percent.) Note: A good percentage of Chinese immigrants are not registered voters.

However, not everyone in the community agrees with the ban. Restaurant owners like Andrew Poon, Chinese Historical Society expert Charlie Chin, and San Francisco mayor Ed Lee oppose the ban. “That sort of thing is one of the dozens of little things people use to erode someone’s cultural identity,” Charlie Chin said.

Oregon and Hawaii have already passed similar bans. Will California be next?

California Considers Shark Fin Soup Ban

San Francisco talks about Shark Fin Soup Ban

Yao Ming PSA for the ban of shark fin soup

2011 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Winners

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2011 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Winners

The 2011 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival celebrated the closing night of their 27th Anniversary edition last night with the screening of the Taiwanese romantic comedy “LOVE IN DISGUISE” by Leehom Wang and the announcement of this year’s jury prizes.

Filmmaker Ian Gamazon took home both the Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction Film and Outstanding Director award for his film “LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES,” while actors Eric Mabius, Fernando Noriega, Will Yun Lee and Luke Brandon Field were singled out with a Best Ensemble Acting Award for their performances in “WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN” directed by Mun Chee Yong. Other narrative film awards given out included Outstanding Screenplay to writer/director Stephane Gauger for “SAIGON ELECTRIC;” Outstanding Cinematography to Gavin Kelly for “WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN;” and a Special Jury Award for Breakout Performance by a New Actor to Ryan Greene for his role in “ONE KINE DAY.” First time filmmaker Byron Q received the Best First Film Award for his dramatic “BANG BANG.” The winning audience favorite awards went to “RAKENROL” from Quark Henares for fave fiction film and to “AMONG B-BOYS” from Christopher Woon for favorite documentary.

In the documentary jury competition, “THE HOUSE OF SUH” from Iris K. Shim received both the Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding Non-Fiction Film and the Outstanding Director Award.

“ONE BIG HAPA FAMILY” directed by Jeff Chiba Stearns also took home two awards for Outstanding Cinematography to Jason Woodford and for Outstanding Editing to Chiba Stearns. The jury awarded a Special Jury Prize for Human Rights to “FINDING FACE” directed by Skye Fitzgerald and Patti Duncan which chronicles the details of the controversial case of rising star Tat Marina who was attacked with acid in Cambodia in 1999.

Short films this year were in abundance with 148 shorts being screened at the festival. The film “TEAMWORK” from Hong Seo Yun was the recipient of the Golden Reel Award, while Soham Mehta was honored with the Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions award for his film “FIRECRACKER.”

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS

2011 LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS

Documentary Feature:
Grand Jury Award, Documentary:
THE HOUSE OF SUH
Directed by IRIS K. SHIM and Produced by GERRY KIM

Special Jury Award, Documentary: Outstanding Director
IRIS K. SHIM
THE HOUSE OF SUH

Special Jury Award, Documentary: Outstanding Cinematography
JASON WOODFORD
ONE BIG HAPA FAMILY

Special Jury Award, Documentary: Outstanding Editing
JEFF CHIBA STEARNS
ONE BIG HAPA FAMILY

Special Jury Prize for Human Rights
FINDING FACE
Directed by Skye Fitzgerald and Patti Duncan

Narrative Feature:
Grand Jury Award, Narrative Feature
LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES
Directed by Ian Gamazon and Produced by Quynn Ton

Special Jury Award, Narrative: Outstanding Director
IAN GAMAZON
LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES

Special Jury Award, Narrative: Outstanding Screenplay
STEPHANE GAUGER
SAIGON ELECTRIC

Special Jury Award, Narrative: Outstanding Cinematography
GAVIN KELLY
WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN

Special Jury Award, Narrative: Best Ensemble Acting
ERIC MABIUS, FERNANDO NORIEGA, WILL YUN LEE and LUKE BRANDON FIELD
WHERE THE ROAD MEETS THE SUN

Special Jury Award, Narrative: Best First Feature
BANG BANG
Directed by BYRON Q

Special Jury Award – Breakout Performance for New Actor
RYAN GREENE
ONE KINE DAY – Directed by Chuck Mitsui

Short Film:
Festival Golden Reel Award
TEAMWORK
Directed by HONG SEO YUN

Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award
FIRECRACKER
Directed by SOHAM MEHTA

AUDIENCE AWARDS:

NARRATIVE FILM
RAKENROL
Directed by QUARK HENARES

DOCUMENTARY FILM
AMONG B-BOYS
Directed by Christopher Woon

The 2011 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival kicked off on April 28 with the Justin Lin action film “FAST FIVE” and has seen record-breaking attendance and multiple sold out shows throughout the past seven days. The Fest will conclude May 6 and May 7 with encore screenings of award winners along with the Los Angeles premiere of “BANGKOK KNOCKOUT” from Thailand and the Sundance/Berlin Film Festival favorite “BOY” from Taika Waititi at the CGV Cinemas in KoreaTown, Los Angeles. CGV Cinemas are located at 621 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005.

2011 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Trailer

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL
The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival presented by Visual Communications is the Southland’s premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific cinema. Since 1983, the Film Festival has presented over 3400 films and videos by Asian international and Asian American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards.

Lyrics2Go Japan Benefit Show

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Lyrics2Go Benefit Concert

Lyrics2Go is a free, all ages concert series held at Bell City Skate Park in Bell, CA. This third installment of Lyrics2Go on May 6th, 2011 is dedicated to Japan relief efforts. 12 Hip Hop artists from all over Los Angeles will be performing live to promote the awareness of the Japan crisis and to represent the unity of the human race. Donations will be collected from the audience throughout the evening, and all funds raised at this event will go directly to Red Cross Japan. Featured artists include VerBS, Foci, Sonny_B, Versis & Seven Day, Mark II, Trey Beama, Diji, Limit Break, 2NAI Los Angeles (Warren Aguilar, Wesley Aguilar, Sam Garong), Tarikh Mizan & CPT, Diverse & Kid Lou. Up and coming clothing company Cut&Pace Collection will be selling merchandise and giving away gifts during the event.

For more information about the event, check below and visit www.Back2Pluto.com to stay updated.

Date: May 6, 2011
Time: 7pm-11pm
Location: Bell City Skate Park, 4357 Gage Ave., Bell, CA 90201
Age: All Ages Admission: Free (donations will be collected from the audience for Red Cross Japan)

Lyrics To Go vol. 3 – Japan Benefit / FREE Hip Hop Show – ALL AGES – CM

Krunk Fu Battle Battle

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Krunk Fu Battle Battle

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s premier Asian American theatre, continues its 45th Anniversary season, themed Shake It Up, with the world premiere hip hop musical, KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE, with book by Qui Nguyen, Lyrics by Beau Sia, Vocal Music by Marc Macalintal, Dance Music provided by Rynan “Kid Rainen” Paguio and Jason Tyler Chong, Musical Direction by Marc Macalintal, and Choreography by Jason Tyler Chong. Here’s a synopsis for the musical :

Under the guidance of Sir Master Cert, young Norman Lee battles the baddest b-boy crew at Sunset Park High for respect, honor, and the heart of sweet Cindy Chang.

“East West Players is shaking it up with this world premiere hip hop musical KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE,” says EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. “This musical about first love, respect, and standing up for yourself is something that will resonate with audience members young and old. But its presentation will be like no other musical we’ve produced. Get ready for an amazing, foot-stomping good time.”

This production will be directed by EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. The cast of the production includes Joan Almedilla, Cesar Cipriano, Liza B. Domingo, Lawrence Kao, Evan Moua, Leng Phe, Megumi Tatsumikawa, Matt Tayao, and Troy Terashita.

All performances of KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE opens Wednesday, May 18, 2011 and closes on Sunday, June 26, 2011.

Opening night will be accompanied by a pre-performance cocktail reception and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Previews are Thursday – Saturday, May 12 – 14 at 8pm and Sunday, May 15 at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performance will be held Thursday, May 19 at 8 pm with a suggested $5 minimum. The post-show discussion will be held on Sunday, May 29.

General Tickets range from $40 – $50. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $70 for all seats. Tickets are currently on sale. For ticket purchases or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit here. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change.

Krunk Fu Battle Battle teaser

More about the cast and crew

Qui Nguyen (book) is the Co-Artistic Director of the Obie Award winning production company, Vampire Cowboys. He is a resident playwright of New Dramatists, a co-director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Beau Sia (lyrics) is a spoken word artist and has been featured in Def Poetry Jam and has earned two National Poetry Slam Championships.

Marc Macalintal (vocal music and musical direction) is the Artistic Director and one of the founding members of Asian American improv troupe Room to Improv. He was the musical director for MARRY ME A LITTLE and THE LAST FIVE YEARS at EWP and adapted the score for EWP’s box office hit production of PIPPIN.

Jason Tyler Chong (choreography and dance music) has choreographed and performed shows at the MGM Grand, concerts in Asia, Miss Universe Pageant, and the Grammy’s. He is currently an instructor at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood.

Rynan Paguio a.k.a. Kid Rainen (dance music) is a member of the JabbaWockeeZ Crew that performed and won Season 1 of America’s Best Dance Crews. He is also affiliated with two other dance groups, Footwork Fanatix and Kilafornia.

Tim Dang (director) is the Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. Recent directing credits at EWP include IMELDA: A NEW MUSICAL, PIPPIN, EQUUS, VOICES FROM OKINAWA, and MYSTERIOUS SKIN.

The design team consists of set and projection designer Adam Flemming, lighting designer Dan Weingarten, costumer designer Annalisa Adams, property master Ken Takemoto, fight choreographer Diana Lee Inosanto. The stage manager is Ondina Dominguez.

Asian Showcase at 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival

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Asian Showcase at 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival

From April 28 – May 5 , 2011, the 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival will showcase over 350 films from across the globe and host a wide array of multicultural events. Celebrated as Orange County’s premiere film event, the Newport Beach Film Festival attracts over 51,000 attendees from around the world who come together to experience the ultimate cinematic experience along the pristine coastline of Southern California.

Each year the Newport Beach Film Festival hosts nightly international spotlight events at Fashion Island. The Asian Showcase (May 2, 2011) will pay homage to the film industry and celebrate the extensive Asian history and culture whose influence has inspired many aspects of art across all mediums. The evening will feature three film screenings, followed by a gala celebration of Asian film, food and culture. In 2011, the Festival will spotlight three films from China, Korea, and Japan, which include Go Lola Go!, Harmony, and Redline. Here’s more about each film:

Go Lala Go – Buy tickets

Lala is a hardworking young woman who gets an entry level position at a Beijing company and slowly learns the ins and outs of the business world. As she starts moving up the corporate ladder she becomes involved in an illicit relationship with a co-worker. This soon becomes something that tests both of them and their resolve to either work or romance.

Harmony – Buy Tickets

At the time of her arrest, Jeong-hye was pregnant and ended up giving birth to her son in prison. Moon Ok was a collegiate musical professor but is now on death row for committing a crime caused by the abuse of her husband and mother-in-law. Jeon-hye makes a deal with the warden to form a choral group in order to spend one day outside with her son. Under the direction of Moon Ok, the women of the prison must put aside their differences and come together to form a successful choir.

Redline – Buy Tickets

Rev your engines, adrenaline junkies! Redline is a new feature from famed Madhouse studios that reunites animator Takeshi Koike (Ninja Scroll, Animatrix) with his long-time collaborator Katushito Ishii, who is the genius behind Funky Forest: The First Contact. This meeting of warped minds results in a mind-melting psychedelic assault that is easily the wildest animated Japanese film to surface in years.

Every five years, top drivers from across the universe participate in an underground racing competition to see who is the best of them all. The final stage in the competition is called Redline. The race isn’t just about driving skills ― it is about heavily modified cars with nitroglycerin boosters, crazy weapons, and robot appendages. This year, the competition is set to occur (illegally) on Roboworld, a bizarre militaristic planet whose leaders looks like they stepped out of a Jack Kirby comic book.