The Audience Award for Best Documentary went to Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings.
Sadly, the 29th Edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be soon coming to a close (they finish out the festival this weekend in Long Beach), wrapping up with the Closing Night film Key of Life. Various awards were handed out before the closing night film in the narrative and documentary categories. Some big winners included Lee Issac Chung (for Abigail Harm), Kalyanee Mam (for A River Changes Course) and Tadashi Nakamura (for Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings). Click on for complete list of the winners!
LITTLE OSAKA
Story Kanara Ty
Illustration Inki Cho
Issue Spring 2013
From a cultural sanctuary for just-released internees, to a local college stomping ground, one street in Los Angeles, Sawtelle Boulevard, has transformed into one of the chicest and hippest Asian culinary neighborhoods.
One of LA’s true gems is the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival – every year, the festival never fails to curate an amazing lineup films – and trust me, there’s something for everyone every year. Check out some of the highlights (yes, Linsanity is coming to the festival!) below!
UCLA Asian Pacific American Law Journal invites you to attend the 2013 Asian Pacific American Law Journal Symposium, Only We Can Free Ourselves: Reflections on the Works of Mari Matsuda. Mari Matsuda is the first tenured female Asian American law professor in the United States, at UCLA School of Law in 1998, and a founder of Critical Race Theory.
The symposium will be held on Saturday, April 6th, 2013, from 9-5pm at UCLA School of Law. The day will consist of three panels, each of which will address a few of the larger themes in Mari Matsuda’s scholarship, including “looking to the bottom”, “multiple consciousness”, and social justice. Professor Matsuda will give a keynote address at the end of the symposium. A reception will follow with a performance by Filipino American emcee, Bambu.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP by April 2nd. The event is free and open to the public. (Please note that MCLE credit is pending, and there is a $25 fee only for attorneys seeking credit.)
If you would like to make a donation in support of the Symposium, click here.
Co-sponsored by: UCLA Asian American Studies Center, UCLA Campus Programs Committee of the Program Activities Board, Critical Race Studies Program, David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law & Policy, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, Japanese American Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association – Southern California
ISSUE: Winter 2012-13
DEPT: Pop-arazzi
STORY: Malissa Tem
Spray paint cans and unfinished canvases line the floor of Allison Torneros’ shared art studio. A self-described pop surrealist artist, Torneros uses acrylic, spray paint and other media to bring her vivid imagination to life on canvas. She begins the process by aimlessly splattering paint onto the canvas until a form begins to appear. At times, it is her own face that takes center stage in her paintings.
“When you step back and look at it together, it creates its own story,” says Torneros of her work. Her paintings often reflect her mood or her personal struggles growing up as a Filipina American in the San Francisco Bay Area. While attending Catholic high school, Torneros says she was characterized as the promiscuous bad girl, and later, the innocent schoolgirl, something that Torneros believes arose out of pop culture rather than actual traits that she possessed at that time. One of her showcases features paintings of the two major stereotypes often cast on Asian American women — the Dragon Lady and the Lotus Blossom.
These days, the 27-year-old is often better known by her professional alias, Hueman. “‘I am not a robot, I am a human’ — it was a mantra I said to myself to snap out of a bad funk,” says Torneros. She has ventured out onto a bigger canvas — wall murals. It seems a natural progression for someone whose fine-art-meets-street-art aesthetic grew out of the world of hip-hop, something her late brother introduced her to. “I grew up admiring murals, but the big thing that held me back was that I was a woman,” says Torneros.
“[The mural art scene] seemed so male-dominated and ego driven, and I didn’t want to deal with it.”
But when she moved to L.A. and her work started getting bigger (both literally and figuratively), Torneros realized she had found her calling.
“When I started doing more murals, I was meeting people and I began using my whole body to do my art,” says Torneros. “I felt more human.”
Justin Chon as Jeff Chang in 21 and Over.
We’re giving away tickets to Justin Chon’s upcoming movie screening for 21 and Over on February 27th in Los Angeles!
To enter:
1. Like KoreAm/Audrey on FB & Twitter
2. Tweet: I’m excited to see @koream’s Feb cover boy @justinchon in #21andOver
3. Leave a comment on this post with your name and Twitter handle!
ABOUT 21 and Over
Audrey and Koream Magazine present Bullet to the Head Premiere at CGV Cinema on January 31, 2013.
On Thursday January 31st, KoreAm and Audrey hosted an advance screening of Bullet To The Head starring Sylvester Stallone and Sung Kang. Sure enough, we couldn’t have asked for a better turn out! A number of celebrities showed up to support Sung Kang including Amy Hill, Brooke Lee, Archie Kao, Booboo and Fivel Stewart, James Kyson, Brian Tee, and many more. Kang arrived onto the red carpet and caused a buzz of excitement from media and fans alike. The humble actor discussed everything from his character in the film to the rise of Asians in the media. CGV Cinema’s was filled with excitement that night for this action packed film.
Kero One, a Korean-American rapper, producer and DJ from San Francisco, has been gaining more and more praise throughout the years. He has worked with and been endorsed by artists all over the world from Will.I.am. to Epik High. Now, he has made history. After hearing Kero One’s song ”What Am I Suppose To Do?”, the legendary Stevie Wonder asked the rapper to perform at his Benefit Concert on Dec 15th, 2012.
Watch this behind-the scenes video documenting Kero One’s experience:
Also, check out his latest music video (“R.I.P.”) that premiered earlier this week:
Formerly of popular indie group Lady Danville (and alums of Awaken A Cappella at UCLA), Michael Garner and Dan Chang have gone on to form Hunter Hunted. The duo’s latest track, “End of the World” is undeniably catchy – with a cool video to boot. Also catch them live – they’re performing February 6 at Soho House, February 8 at Harvard and Stone and February 12 headlining The Troubadour.
Hunter Hunted’s Dan Chang and Michael Garner.
