The National Japanese American Historical Society’s (NJAHS) mission statement has changed since it began in 1981. In celebrating its 30th anniversary, NJAHS honored both the people it says have transformed the Japanese American cultural landscape, as well as the transformations the organization itself has experienced during the last three decades. NJAHS originated with a mission […]
‘Kaboom’: A college sex comedy sci-fi thriller
March 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment
“Kaboom,” the new film from Gregg Araki, has been described as “sexy” and “silly.” It is certainly both of those things. However, it’s also suspenseful, thoughtful and surprisingly frightening. The film is a college sex comedy sci-fi thriller and Araki does a graceful balancing act, with the disparate genre element — until he takes the […]
Film sheds light on mother of Nikkei sculptor Noguchi
December 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment
TOKYO — A film about the younger days of Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi through the eyes of his mother has hit theaters across Japan. The film “Leonie,” directed by Japanese filmmaker Hisako Matsui, depicts the story of Noguchi and his American mother Leonie Gilmour, a journalist who fell in love with a Japanese poet […]
‘9500 Liberty’ Marks a New Direction for Eric Byler
June 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The new documentary “9500 Liberty,” directed and produced by Annabel Park, a celebrated playwright and grassroots organizer, and Eric Byler, director of indie hits, including “Charlotte Sometimes” and “Americanese,” is a departure from the filmmaker’s previous works. Throughout his career, Byler created narrative works that dealt with race and human relationships in subtle and complex […]
ENTERTAINMENT RE-ORIENTED Oscar Wrap: API Winners
March 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment
While there was nothing approaching last year’s “Slumdog” mania, the 2010 Academy Awards did have some wins of interest for APIs. The award for best-animated picture went to the CGI animated feature “Up,” starring Jordan Nagai. Since its release in the summer of ’09, the Pixar film has been a shoe-in for the award, so […]
What to Watch at the SF International Asian American Film Festival
March 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment
There is quite a lineup at this year’s San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and the Nichi Bei Weekly has been busy watching films to bring you an overview of the diverse works showcased this year. “Today’s Special” kicks off the festival on March 11 at Castro Theatre. Aasif Mandiv (“The Daily Show”) plays […]
Aoki, the Activist and Intellectual
February 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment
“Aoki,” the new documentary by Ben Wang and Mike Cheng, tells the little known story of Black Panther Party Field Marshal Richard Aoki. Filmed during the last five years of Aoki’s life, the filmmakers weave archival footage with interviews of key players including — Bobby Seale, Kathleen Neal Cleaver and Aoki himself — to create […]
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