If you have problems reading this, go to www.koreanx.net/mailer/080205.html Koreanxchange Mailer


subscribe
unsubscribe



August 2nd 2005: Issue 39

South Korea just finshed wrapping up two art film festivals running during the same 10-day period last week, the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, also known as PiFan, and the Real Fantastic Film Festival, also known as RealFanta. The two festivals, which screened international films such as the Canadian film, The Dark Hours, and the Canadian and British co-production It's All Gone, Pete Tong, along with domestic films such as the hugely successful Marathon combined to draw in more than 70,000 people to the two 10-day festivals.

Speaking of Marathon, the Korean Culture Service is screening it on Thursday the 11th for free! So check it out! 5,122,300 Koreans couldn't be wrong.

And if you manage to miss that and still haven't gotten your region 3 DVD player yet but still want to want the next big Asian film, check out 2046 on Friday. Wong Kar-Wai's latest oddly exquisite labor of love, six years in the making, is scheduled to be released theatrically in New York and Los Angeles this Friday, August 5th. The widely anticipated movie draws in fragments from characters and situations from Wong's previous films, In the Mood for Love and Days of Being Wild. His next project, set to be released next year, The Lady from Shanghai , stars Nicole Kidman.

-ubn


PANEL DISCUSSION
The State of Black-Asian Relations: Interrogating Black-Asian Coalition Fifty Years After Bandung

Third World Coalition of the American Friends Service Committee
Tuesday, August 2nd, 6:30 - 9:30pm
AFSC Friends Center
Rufus Jones Room
1515 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA
Free and open to the public
www.nathanielturner.com/stateofblackasianrelations.htm

In April of 1955, 29 African and Asian nations came together in Bandung, Indonesia for the Asian-African Conference to promote economic and cultural cooperation and oppose colonialism. More popularly referred to as "Bandung," this gathering was historic because it brought together newly independent colored nations and posed a challenge to western and white dominance. It is believed that the notion of the "third world" emerged from Bandung to demonstrate a rejection of both the west and ideologies associated with it. Bandung has been celebrated and referenced by many activists and intellectuals including W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, Richard Wright, Malcolm X, Yuri Kochiyama, Vijay Prashad, Robin Kelley, and Makani Themba-Nixon.

Today, calls for coalition between Blacks and Asian American are common and therefore rarely interrogated. But since Bandung, the world has changed somewhat, with the Asian population in the US growing rapidly through immigration. Today, Asian Americans have more wealth and education than Blacks and are also less residentially segregated. Since the 1992 LA Riot, the call to "go beyond Black and white" has gained more political momentum among both the left and right. Blacks have been charged with anti-Asian racism, including the murders of Chinese food delivery workers, Shaq versus Yao and the Hot 97 "Tsunami Song." Today we also have Asian Americans opposing affirmative action, generating wealth from owning businesses in Black neighborhoods, creating the board game "Ghettopoly" and using Black cultural and political expressions to critique African Americans.

Thus, fifty years later, we seek to explore the possibilities and reality of Black-Asian relations in the US. Join us in Philly as Black and Asian American activists come together to discuss tensions between Blacks and Asians, what we see as the roots of conflicts, how this informs our activist projects, and whether coalition is viable between our communities. Panelists will draw from their activist experiences, which includes international solidarity work, educational justice, immigrant rights organizing, non-profit funding analysis, anti-gentrification projects, queer justice, and anti-police violence work. We hope you join us as we convene a panel and community dialogue that honestly explores the state of Black-Asian relations today and whether solidarity is really possible.

COMEDY
Eliot Chang Presents Comedy Slam

Thursday - Saturday, August 4th - 6th, 8:00pm
The ImaginAsian Theater
239 East 59th Street
between 2nd and 3rd Avenue
New York City
$35 Admission. No Drink Minimum, includes free afterparty
Special discount: $25 Go to www.echang.com and select "Koreanxchange" under "reservations through special promoters."
www.echang.com

For the first time ever controversial Stand Up Comic Eliot Chang will be performing his no-holds-barred one man stand up show "Comedy Slam" in New York City at the ImaginAsian Theater from August 4th - 6th, at 8:00pm (Thursday - Saturday). New York-based stand up comic Eliot Chang is infamous for his edgy and wild comedy tours all across the U.S. He is not what you expect. He does not rely on ethnic jokes or imitate his parents with an accent. He delivers fierce stand up comedy about real issues that tears apart your expectations. Forget what you think you know about comedy. Just when think you know the punchline, Eliot flips you around with his unexpected comic viewpoints. It's part comedy show, part rock show, all party. It's Chris Rock meets Kid Rock. Controversial to some. Eye opening to most. Hilarious to all.

Television appearances include: Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," Comedy Central's "Contest Searchlight," NBC's "Law & Order: SVU," Spike TV's "Crashtest," MetroChannel's "New Joke City," Galavision's "Que Loco," and national commercial spots for Lowe's Department Stores and TD Waterhouse.

Tickets are priced at $35 and are available at www.echang.com or The ImaginAsian box office. Special discounted tickets of $25 are available through advance reservation at www.echang.com and selecting "Koreanxchange" under "reservations through special promoters." There will be a 10-minute Q&A session with the audience after each performance, which will then be followed by an after-party. Ticket prices include a gift package of four VIP tickets to a premier New York City comedy club valued at over $75.

After Party:
Light
125 East 54th Street
Between Park and Lexington Avenues
New York City

Admission is free with ticket stub of "Comedy Slam" of that evening. $10 Without.

SCREENING
Marathon

Korean Cultural Service
Thursday, August 11th, 6:30pm
Korean Cultural Service New York
460 Park Avenue, 6th Floor
New York City
Free
www.koreanculture.org | www.run2005.co.kr

Marathon (2005)
South Korea, Korean with English subtitles, color, 117 min
Directed by Yun-cheol Jeong
Starring Cho Seung-woo, Kim Mi-suk, Lee Gi-yeong, Baek Seong-hyeon, and Ahn Nae-sang

Rain Man meets Chariots of Fire in Jeong Yun Cheol's directorial debut Marathon, the box office hit that critics have dubbed "the feel-good movie of the year"! This poignant human drama stars Cho Seung Woo (Chunhyang, The Classic, Raging Years) as Cho Won, a twenty year old autistic man with a passion for running track. Encouraged by his mom (television actress Kim Mi Sook in her first major film role), Cho Won begins to participate in small-scale races at the local level, all in preparation for the ultimate goal - competing in an actual marathon! To help him achieve his dreams, Cho Won's mother finds her son a track coach in the form of washed-up marathon champion Jeon Wook (The Quiet Family's Lee Ki Young). But can the bitter coach overcome his personal skepticism and give Cho Won the expert training he so desperately needs? The answer awaits you in Marathon, a heartwarming film that explores one boy's drive to succeed in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds! This movie was based on a true story.

Awards:

  • Best Film Winner (Dae Jong Award Festival 2005)
  • Best Script Winner (Dae Jong Award Festival 2005)
  • Best Actor Winner, Cho Seung Woo (Dae Jong Award Festival 2005)
  • Best New Director Winner (Dae Jong Award Festival 2005)
  • Best Music Winner (Dae Jong Award Festival 2005)
  • GETAWAY
    Summer Weekend Gateway

    Korean American Jaycees
    Friday, August 12th (evening departure) - Sunday, August 14th (early afternoon return)
    Lake Harmony
    Poconos, Pennsylvania
    KAJC Members $120, Prospective Members & Guests $150
    (Includes lodging, transportation from Manhattan, food, drinks and activities!)
    More Info | info@kajc.org

    No boss, no laptops and no worries. Leave It All Behind (LIAB) and join KAJC's summer getaway. We have prepared a truly fun and memorable weekend at the premier resort area in the Poconos, 5 minute walk from Lake Harmony. Our accommodations are upscale, comfortable with all the amenities that will make you want to stay forever. Here's the perfect synergy of a great place, people and activities to make you realize again and again that being a KAJC is one of the best perks out there. Only 9 spots left! Reserve your spot today!

    Our LIAB venue - 2500 sq. ft. house with 4 bedroom (sleeps 15) + loft + den + 2.5 baths + jacuzzi and hot tub. Amenities include: stone fireplace, phone, cable tv with built-in dvd player in each room, stereo with cd player, full kitchen, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee maker, blender, toaster, cooking utensils, washer, dryer, jetted jacuzzi room, private eight-person hot tub, garage, BBQ gas grill, loft with wet bar and deck, rear deck for entertaining, pool table, games, and more!

    Activities (on site or nearby) - Hiking, rock climbing, biking, golf, tennis, racquetball, basketball, fitness center, gym, shuffleboard, horseshoes, miniature golf, amusement parks, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, shopping, restaurants, cinemas, museums, sightseeing, swimming, boating, sailing, waterskiing, jet skiing, rafting, paintball, and more!

    SPORTING EVENT
    1st Annual Korean American Tri-State Softball Tournament

    Saturday, August 13th, 8:00am - 7:00pm
    Cunningham Park
    Fields #1 - 4
    193 Street and Union Turnpike
    Flushing
    Registration fee: $200 before August 1st, $225 after (first 20 teams to register)
    info@fastbreaknyc.com | 201) 543 - 7219

    Churches, friends, organizations, company teams, Korean Student Asssociations, or anybody in the Korean Community are invited to participate in the 1st Annual Korean American Tri-State Softball Tournament. The registration fee is $200 before August 1st and $225 after (or the first 20 teams to register). There is a minimum of 1 girl on the field at all times. Click here to view the online flyer.

    CONFERENCE
    Cities in Transition: Asian Pacific Islander Americans...An Asset for America's Future

    Partners for Livable Communities and The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies
    Wednesday, September 21st - Friday, September 23rd
    Hilton Americas
    1600 Lamar
    Houston, Texas
    www.citiesintransition.org | www.livable.com | www.apaics.org

    How can cities across America use their civic assets and diversity to provide leadership for a better tomorrow? How can the dynamic and growing Asian Pacific Islander American community collaborate to make this possible? Partners for Livable Communities, The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, and the City of Houston will provide the answers at a groundbreaking national forum in Houston, Texas on September 21-23, 2005. "Cities in Transition: Asian Pacific Islander Americans...An Asset for America's Future" will examine the changing needs of the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) population and highlight the tremendous potential that this unique group brings to our nation.

    The forum has three goals: 1) to build national unity amongst the myriad APIA groups; 2) to explore the role of APIAs in the context of the multicultural city and in the melting pot of America; 3) to develop tangible strategies to help local leaders better understand the issues facing their APIA populations while also providing a feasible plan for utilizing the resources offered by the APIA community and increasing their participation in mainstream civic affairs.

    For the first time ever, APIA and non-APIA decision makers at all levels of government will gather with stakeholders representing community based organizations, philanthropy, business, non profit and the media to discuss the opportunities and barriers for the full participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in building better communities for everyone.


    JOB OPPORTUNITY
    Anheuser Busch Distributor

    John.Ha@anheuser-busch.com | 718) 404 - 7818

    Northern Eagle Beverages is looking for an Anheuser Busch Distributor who is energetic, interested in running sales promotions, interacting with people on a daily basis, and tackling new challenges every day. The ideal candidate would be over 21 years of age, be fluent in both Korean and English, enjoy going out at night, socialable, and lives in New Jersey. The starting salary is S30,000 with benefits and opportunities for future promotions. Interested candidates and / or any questions can be directed to John Ha, Geographic Marketing Manager at 718) 404 - 7818 or John.Ha@anheuser-busch.com.

    Job responsibilities

  • Setting up and running sales promotions in liquor stores, bars / lounges, restaurants, and clubs
  • Supporting sales force with Asian accounts and contacts.
  • INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
    Research Intern, P.O.V./American Documentary

    www.pov.org | castillo@pov.org

    P.O.V. ("point-of-view") is television's longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction film, premiering 14-16 high-impact documentaries every year on PBS. Hailed by critics as among the most important and relevant programming on television, P.O.V. films have won every coveted television and film award, including 18 Emmys, ten George Foster Peabody Awards, eight Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Broadcast Journalism Awards, three Academy Awards, and the Prix Italia.

    We are currently seeking interns for fall placement. Responsibilities include: content research, assistance with reporting, and some administrative support. Position reports to the Manager of Research and Development. Qualifications include: strong research and writing skills, organization and attention to detail. The research internship requires a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week. This is an unpaid internship; school credit can be arranged. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the P.O.V. Web site www.pbs.org/pov learn about the series and our other activities.