Who is Vincent Chin?

[KUED.org]

If you don’t know who Vincent Chin is, then you’ve probably never taken an Asian Am or ethnic studies course. No worries, that’s what Wikipedia is for. Click here to find out who Vincent Chin is – how his murderers got away with beating an unarmed man to death with a baseball bat and how this injustice sparked the first Asian American civil rights movement.

Last week was the 28th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s murder. To commemorate, Director Tony Lam released a special edition DVD of his 2009 documentary, “Vincent Who?” – if you’re interested, click here to buy a copy.

If you’re not sure, here’s the trailer:

I don’t know about you, but the opening sequence of the trailer made me really sad. Really? Have Asian Americans really forgotten about the Vincent Chin case?

 

Filed under: Film

Jay Chou: The Green Hornet’s Folly

While fanboys and comic book geeks debate whether Seth Rogen will make a good Green Hornet, I would like to express my personal outrage at the miscasting of Kato. FYI, he’s the Green Hornet’s loyal and more capable Asian “side kick.”

The Taiwanese “actor” playing Kato is pretty much unknown in mainstream America, but in the Chinese speaking world, he’s won over the hearts and unwavering love from millions of Asian (and some non-Asian) girls (and maybe some boys too). His name is Jay Chou and while he can play the piano, mumble through every song he’s ever written and portray moody, soft-spoken characters that are basically extensions of  his real life persona, the man can not speak English well.

I was told this was a non issue since Kato is a silent role. I watched the trailer yesterday and he has dialogue. We’re not talking about “yes” and “no” responses to simple questions here. He has a lot of dialogue, enough to allow his character to explain what’s going on to Seth Rogen’s character. From what I saw, it was enough to put my head in my hands and say, “dear lord, why?”

Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself.

On a related note – Is it me, or was this another lost opportunity for English-speaking Asian American actors to have a decent Hollywood role where they’re not just in the background.  I may be preaching to the choir, but was John Cho busy or something?

Filed under: Breaking News, Film , Asian, Film, Green Hornet, Hollywood, Jay Chou, Taiwan

Uniqlo’s U.S. Expansion

[Flickr/Ricecake That!]

It’s been confirmed by Women’s Wear Daily – Fast Retailing (the parent company behind Uniqlo) announced during the National Retail Federation’s convention and expo that the Japanese clothing brand will be opening more U.S. stores  and taking it’s business online. W00t! W00t!

Let’s hope that one of these new brick-and-mortar locations includes San Fransisco – I can see the store fitting nicely in Union Square or even next to the New People mall in Japantown. But if they skip over us Bay Area peeps, at least, we’ll be able to shop online.

Filed under: Breaking News, Fashion, Retail , Fashion, Japan, Retail, San Francisco Bay Area, Uniqlo, Web Site

Google’s Memorial in China

[Flickr/EndWorld]

Okay, I get it. The people in China (this includes both Chinese and the Gui Luos) are trying to show their support of Google’s decision to pull out of Mainland if they are forced to censor, but a memorial?

While “paying respect” with flowers and candles makes for a great photo opp for foreign press, it seems a bit dramatic and a tad bit tasteless given the tragedy in Haiti right now.

Granted, I don’t blame them for wanting to make a political statement for their right to uncensored information and news. In any case, it will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming days.

Filed under: Breaking News, Web , Censorship, China, Google, Internet

Harbin’s Winter Wonderland

One day, I’d like to attend the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival…granted, I freeze to death on the way from the car to the entrance ’cause it must be mighty cold for these sculptures to even last. Apparently, it’s so cold that the festival, which kicks off each year on January 5, lasts for about a month or longer (or longer, weather permitting).

Filed under: Events , China, Event, Harbin, Ice Festival