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December 27th 2004: Issue 23
Congratulations to SooJi Park, Renee Won, Jenny Song, and Phillip Wang for each winning a pair of screening passes to A Tale of Two Sisters during its opening week. Go check it out. The film has even caught the attention of Hollywood executives—according to Subway Cinema, A Tale of Two Sisters, which Koreanxchange also reviewed last issue, is being remade by Dreamworks and rumor has it that the two sisters will be played by the Olsen Twins! But you know how it is, take one step forward, and then one back—if you have been following the TV show Lost, starring Koreans Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjin Kim, the portrayal of Korean's don't get such a flattering representation.
Still don't have New Year's Eve plans? Thats the Korean spirit—wait till the last minute! If you aren't interested in the druken messes that usually end up of what starts as a party, there are a million things going on. Some more interesting alternatives are the Two Boots Pioneer Theater's Bruce Lee and Beyond and The New York Road Runners Midnight Run. If you still prefer to start the New Year under the influence, I'll be hosting a very low key (because older people are boring) no cover party.
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SCREENING
North Korea: The Parade (dir. Andrzej Fidyk, 1989, 60 min)
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December 27th, 28th, 29th, 9:00pm
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The Two Boots Pioneer Theater
155 East 3rd Street (at Avenue A)
New York City
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www.twoboots.com/pioneer | 212) 591-0434
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A fascinating movie made inside North Korea screens this week at the Two Boots Pioneer Theater, North Korea: The Parade.An extremely rare and incredibly revelatory look inside North Korea, as seen by a visiting Polish film crew. Witness the gigantic public ceremonies supporting the cult of personality around the country's leaders, as well
as the tense stand-off at the border with the South. The filmmakers let the events speak for themselves; what voiceover there is comes from North Koreans themselves, none of whom takes issue with his glorious country and its
leaders. The movie will be screened with Quasar Hernandez (dir. David and Nathan Zellner, 2003, 9 mins)
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MOVIE OPENING
In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)
This innovative documentary is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Korean-American Jessica Yu, who was named by Filmmaker Magazine as one of the "25 Hot New Faces in Indie Films."
In the Realms of the Unreal explores the parallel lives of legendary outsider artist Henry Darger. Reclusive janitor by day, visionary artist by night, Darger’s 15,000 page novel details the exploits of the Vivian Girls, seven angelic sisters who lead a rebellion against godless, child-enslaving men. In the Realms of the Unreal explores outsider art from the inside. Eschewing expert opinion, it reflects the uniqueness of its subject, employing vivid animation and experimental elements to immerse us in Darger’s world and all its strange beauty. Brought to life on film, the works reverberate with universal themes: the search for meaning, control, connection, moral direction. Through Darger’s eyes, film reveals this odd man to be Everyman.
Darger lived a virtually friendless existence, but his imaginary life was as exciting and colorful as his real life was tedious. By day, he scrubbed floors, attended Mass, rummaged through garbage cans. By night, he ruled a world in which the forces of innocence and good fought a bloody battle against the forces of treachery and eveil. By juxtaposing Henry Darger’s parallel but opposite universes, the film shows how he forged magic out of the bleakest of lives, leaving a legacy that has inspired other artists around the world. Darger moved through the world virtually unnoticed, and the ultimate meaning of his work remains an enigma. The film begins as a mystery, but ends as a celebration of the power of individual creativity. In the Realms of the Unreal captures the haunting imprint of an extraordinary, ordinary man.
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GALA BENEFIT DINNER
Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Celebrates the 100th Birthday of Anna May Wong
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Pan Asian Repertory Theatre
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Monday, January 24th, 2005
6:30pm: Cocktails
7:30pm: Dinner
9:00pm: Anna May Look-Alike Contest
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Manhattan Penthouse
14th Street and Fifth Avenue
New York City
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Tickets $200, Patrons $500
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www.panasianrep.org | 212) 868-4030
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Join Pan Asian Repertory Theatre to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Asian-America Sta, with a dinner to benefit the world premiere of China Doll, a re-imagining of the life of the actress, by Elizabeth Wong, directed by Tisa Chang.
The Benefit Dinner evening will begin at 6:30 with cocktails & hors d’oeuvres to piano music played by John Fitzgibbon followed by a full course dinner. The evening’s program will be hosted by comedienne Esther Goodhart and will include presentation of the first Lilah Kan Red Socks Award in memory of actress/writer Lilah Kan who had a long history with Pan Asian Rep. Anna May Look-alike Contest judges include the Broadway costume designer Willa Kim, and the extraordinary night club performer and legend, Jadin Wong, Chinese director/ choreographer, Lu Yu, and actor, Francis Jue, currently in the cast of "Pacific Overtures".
China Doll is the re-imagined life of Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Asian American international film star. Beginning in the 20’s until her death in 1961, China Doll interweaves Anna May’s relationships with legendary icons such as Marlene Dietrich, Douglas Fairbanks, Irving Thalberg and others to triumph in a casting system of limited access for Asian actors against a backdrop of her most popular films: Daughter of the Dragon, Shanghai Express, Thief of Baghdad.
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EXHIBITION
"Still Present Pasts"
This exhibition will be hosted in Boston in January, but there are plans to bring the exhibit to New York, in case you don't have a chance to make it to Boston.
"Still Present Pasts" is a unique art and multi-media exhibit that explores the legacies of the Korean War
and encourages reflection about the devastation of war for all Americans. The exhibit places video, installation and performance art created by Korean American artists in conversation with oral history voices of Korean American War survivors and their families expressed through written text, audio, and video. Interactive installations draw audiences into this dialogue inviting visitors to contribute their own memories and understanding of the Korean War,
thereby creating living artwork that evolves over the course of the exhibit.
The exhibit opens with the performance art piece, "6.25; History Beneath the Skin", by Hyun Lee, Grace M. Cho and Hosu Kim. In a striking collage of personal testimony, audio recording, body movement, installation and slide and video projection, each woman breaks the silence surrounding her own Korean War legacy and shares insights into the on-going impact of this tragedy. The stories of the three performers are woven together by a thread of oral history voices that speak of bombings, deaths, evacuations, struggle, survival and eventual emigration to the U.S. The voices articulate memories of a war we have been told to forget, and transcend time and space to engage in dialogue with present-day reality in which the performers and their audience live.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Asian American Big Brothers Big Sisters Needed
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide mentors to children who need a caring, adult role model in their lives--a special friend who can help to expand their horizons and enrich their futures. Our New American Partnership program works with Asian American children who are from immigrant families and demonstrate a need for a positive role model. This initiative was developed to help immigrant children
overcome feelings of loneliness, lack of self-confidence, and the challenges of adjusting to the culture in which they are growing up and that of their family.
We are currently looking for enthusiastic, dedicated, Asian-American individuals, age 21 and over, who can commit to 8 hours a month for one year to serve as Big Brother/Big Sister mentors to these children. For more information, please contact: Jennifer Chang at 212) 686-2042 ext 270 or jchang@bigsnyc.org.
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JOB OPPORTUNITY / CASTING CALL
Research / Writer and Co-host
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Asian CineVision
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WooArt International
133 West 19th Street, 3rd floor
New York, NY 10011
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info@wooart.com
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Job Opportunity
Asian CineVision is co-producing a new television program focusing on Asian and Asian American movies this winter. Please forward to any interested and qualified parties. English language cable TV magazine-style program on Asian and Asian American movies. Must be knowledgeable of Asian and Asian American film, filmmakers, stars and industry. Television writing experience preferred. Starts in January. Salary negotiable depending on experience. Please send resume, 1 page writing sample with cover letter to Cinema Asia – Research at the address above.
Casting Call
English-language cable TV magazine-style program on Asian and Asian American movies seeks energetic co-host. Must be knowledgeable of Asian and Asian American film, filmmakers, stars and industry. On air experience preferred. English speaking 19-35 years old men or women of Asian descent. Episodes to be shot on location and in New York City studio set in February / March. Union or non-union. Pay negotiable. Please send headshot/resume and/or reels to Cinema Asia Casting at the address above.
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CASTING CALL
Korean / Korean Americans Actors Needed for Sammy's Hope
Sammy's Hope is an independent non-union docu-drama film based on a true story of two Korean immigrants and their dramatic experiences. It is a story of faith and hope. Independent casting director, Faith Hibbs-Clark will be auditioning actors for two leading roles, and various other supporting and extra roles at her office in Scottsdale starting next week. All roles are paid.
Asian Actors are encouraged to email her a photograph and a note of introduction to her email at faith@faithhibbsclark.com as soon as possible. Filming begins January 10th 2005 in various locations in Arizona. Ms. Hibbs-Clark also casts for other productions here in Arizona and Los Angeles and
welcomes those who are interested to send a picture, resume, and contact information to her Scottsdale office at 10575 N. 114th St. Ste. 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85259. If you have questions you may call her office at 480-344-7705.
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