Fellow film producer/director Jennifer Liao, has finally made her short film – “Family First” (2010) available online after a very successful film festival run and taking home a number of awards. If you love dark humor as much as I do, you’ll surely laugh out loud watching this one.
FAMILY FIRST
Rob and Ashley have a big announcement, but when their news brings a family dinner to a screeching halt, they’re forced to question their choice. FAMILY FIRST is a dark comedy about family approval and the blindness of love.
directed by Chris Hanratty
produced by Jennifer Liao and Jennifer Mesich
written by Mike McPhaden, story by Chris Hanratty and Mike McPhaden
starring Shira Leuchter, Peter Mooney, Michael Healey, Diane Flacks, and Dylan Everett
For more information on Family First or productions from Jennifer Liao, please visit:JenniferLiao.com
We know most of our goods are made in China, but what to we REALLY know about the hands that make them?
“Sometimes we have no choice, we work till dawn. When you work all night you become dizzy and your eyes hurt because you can’t take any breaks.”
SANTA’S WORKSHOP, directed by Lotta Ekelund and Kristina Bjurling, takes you to the real world of China’s toy factories. Workers tell us about long working hours, low wages, and dangerous work places. Those who protest or try to organize trade unions risk imprisonment. Low labor costs attract more and more companies to China. Today more than 75% of our toys are made in China. But this industry takes its toll on the workers and on the environment.
The European (and American) buyers blame bad conditions on the Chinese suppliers. But they say that increasingly hard competition gives them no option. Who should we believe? And what can you do to bring about a fairer and more humane toy trade?
A few of us had the opportunity to see this wonderful documentary at the DCAPA Film Festival this year. Right now, the director of Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words, Yunah Hong needs your help to bring Anna May’s story to a nationwide audience.
The following message is from the director, Yunah Hong.
My one-hour documentary, Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words, shows how Anna May Wong (1905-1961) became an artist, a world figure and an activist in spite of the prejudices of her time. It had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival and has been in four American and Canadian festivals.
Right from the beginning I wanted this documentary to reach a wider audience, especially young Asian Americans and other minorities, to inspire them to have a dream and to follow it the way Anna did. One of the film’s funders, the Center for Asian American Media, will distribute it to public television stations. But first I have to buy the broadcast rights to footage I use from Anna May Wong’s films. Paying for rights, and for the insurance PBS requires, will cost me $20,000. If I can’t raise that money the film won’t reach a national audience.
Anna May Wong grew up in Los Angeles, where her parents ran a laundry. She first starred, at age 17, in Toll of the Sea, a silent version of Madame Butterfly. She went on to make dozens of films in Hollywood, London and Berlin, co-starring with Marlene Dietrich, Anthony Quinn, Douglas Fairbanks and Philip Ahn. She was glamorous; photographers loved her. She was a charming and interesting person whose friends included Carl van Vechten, Evelyn Waugh and Paul Robeson. Yet she spent most of her career playing painted dolls and dragon ladies.
Many older Asian Americans look down on Anna for playing stock Asian characters. But a younger generation sees her as a pioneering artist who beat the odds in a tough industry. Besides her strength as a woman, I admire her for pushing herself as an actress. When her film roles were limited, she traveled around Europe performing in cabarets, polishing her talents as a singer, dancer and monologuist. When MGM didn’t cast her in The Good Earth, a film set in China, she went to China anyway and filmed her trip. Long before anyone was called a “community activist,” she devoted herself to the Chinese American community’s war effort during World War II. She was way ahead of her time. Her courage to be herself against all odds is truly inspiring, the kind of story I want my ten-year-old daughter to know.
The Center for Asian American Media, a consortium of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, exists to bring Asian American programs to public TV. Don Young, Program Director at CAAM, says this about the project:
“I feel that ‘Anna May Wong’ is a very strong prospect for broadcast during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May). Yunah has done an exceptional job with her material – she has put a tremendous amount of energy and intelligence into the film. She has one more hurdle to pass before we can send the film to PBS. She has secured partial copyright licenses for her film clips of Anna May Wong — for festival screenings, but not for national broadcast. Until she does that, she cannot obtain the Errors and Omissions Insurance PBS requires. Both of these steps cost money. I strongly urge anyone who cares about Asian Americans in the media to help Yunah tie up these loose ends.”
Scare Foundation is a non-profit charity organization that draws its support from the diverse and talented filmmakers, actors and musicians who work in the suspense and horror genres. Additionally, much of our organization is run and supported by the vast legion of the genre’s fan base. Scare Foundation offers a vehicle for the fans and creators of scary material to show their care and generosity in helping those who need it most. It has chosen to focus its efforts on the needs of at-risk youth and teens. The organization aims to make giving fun and exciting, like the films it is inspired by, relying of the giving and generous contributions of celebrities and fans alike. By aligning its efforts with several well-established charities with similar vision, Scare Foundation will be able to have the greatest impact.
The people involved in making, as well as appreciating, scary media, are some of the biggest hearted and most generous anywhere – something that is rarely acknowledged. Scare Foundation provides them with a charitable cause to give back to young people in need.
History: Scare Foundation was founded in late 2010 by producer and director, Malek Akkad. Having produced several popular horror films, including number one films such as “Halloween”, and “Halloween: H20”, Akkad was impressed by the kindness and generosity he experienced in dealing with co-workers and fans of the genre.
“Horror sometimes gets a bad rap. And I wanted to do something to show that we, the horror community, care as much about the hardships of others as anyone else. I meet a lot of the fans, and am always impressed with their kindness and generosity. These fans are amazing, and they love to have fun with these stories. I felt that this would be a great way for us all to show that, beyond loving our scary movies, we also care about others in need.”
“My goal is that Scare Foundation becomes a vehicle for the whole genre and all of its fans. I hope that everyone will get involved in any way they can, and give of their time and resources, to help benefit others. And of course, I am expecting the stars and creative talents to get just as involved.”
“Because teenagers have always supported these films, it is only fitting that we pick them for whom to focus our efforts. Teenage homelessness and poverty are huge problems that we must all participate in tackling.”
“And, of course, we will also have a lot of fun doing it. Every year, we will have an annual Scare Foundation Charity Halloween Party. I hope that we will soon become the preeminent event on Halloween, raising awareness and funds for those in need.” – Malek Akkad
I’m late to the party on Indonesian horror apparently! I was recently turned onto such films through this excellent aggregation of Asian horror films. Through it, I was caught onto Darah (kinda Hostel-like), Kuntilanak (girl channeling a slightly different vengeful spirit), and a new favorite of mine, Pintu Terlarang aka The Forbidden Door (a very cool thriller/horror/drama). Check ‘em out if you can!
Here are 10 horror movies we picked out for Halloween 2011. Enjoy!
Family Friendly – These movies are great introductions to the horror genre. Suitable for young (and anxious) viewers.
Ghostbusters (1984) – Four witty and likeable heroes take on the task of making a business out of cleaning up New York City’s ghost infestation. After making big money at the box office, two years later, a Saturday morning cartoon was made for TV. The ghosts maybe a wee bit scary for the novice viewer, but the goofy heroes neutralize them. Rated PG.
Gremlins (1984) – A cute mogwai is adopted by a family for Christmas. Billy makes a few careless mistakes of breaking some rules turning the Furby looking guy into a menacing, mischievous little monster. The final act might get a bit intense for young or anxious viewers. Moral of the story: please be responsible pet owners – or else you just might regret it. Rated PG.
Creature Features – Everyone is afraid of what lurks in remote places. Why? Because of films like these.
Jaws (1975) – A gigantic great white shark also known as “Bruce” terrorizes Amityville beach during peak season, making bad business for the small town. The affects transcended the big screen and caused a decline in beach business across the country in 1975. This classic is known to perpetuate stereotypes of killer sharks and set the template for the future of horror films. Rated PG.
Alien (1979) – A savage, sleek, creature kill an entire unsuspecting team of astronauts. Its evolution goes a little like this – hatches from an egg, orally impregnates a human host, hatches again out of the chest of a human host, and blooms into a deadly remorseless killing machine. Did I mention it has acid blood for defense? This vicious movie spawned many spin offs and even earned the tagline, “Jaws in Space”. Rated R.
Piranha 3D (2010) – If you’re looking for just a jolly ol’ Halloween movie, look no further than Piranha 3D. It basically has everything you’re looking for in this campy throw-back creature movie with a modern feel. Get ready to be grossed-out and laughing at the same time. Rated R.
Supernatural – Here are some spooky encounters from “the other side”.
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006) – The name says it all, and a whole lot more. Let’s think about this for a second. Poultrygeist. So we have a combination of poultry and geist. Seems to make sense. Here’s another tidbit, this movie comes from the all-time cult classical director Lloyd Kaufman. Now, with all that said, if you’re still not sure what to expect, then that’s good. Get ready for a ride of a lifetime, combining the most ridiculous elements horror has to offer, including a musical. Now what does that tell you? It’s balls-out insane! Enjoy. Rated R.
Shutter (2004) – If you are into some really scary stuff, look no further than “Shutter” made in Thailand. Most of you are probably familiar with the remake made in 2008. Always check out the original. The gist of the movie is about a mystery surrounding the deaths of a group of friends. Why are they dying? Who’s doing this? Who is the culprit? All of it leads to a final climax that is both chilling and rewarding. Check it out, you will not be disappointed. Rated R.
Psychological – Perhaps the most unnerving sub-category of the horror genre, this is where you will find tales dealing with the mentally disturbed or deranged. Proceed with caution!
Funny Games (1997) – Two young men hold a family on vacation hostage to play some sadistic games for their own amusement. These bullies remind us that the most terrifying monsters are ones that look no different than you or me. This relatively unknown movie was remade in Hollywood 10 years later. Oh, and “Funny” remake trailer was sort of a remake of A Clockwork Orange (1971) trailer. Odd. Rated R.
Misery (1990) – I am telling you, horror movies aren’t all about gore, and this movie is the perfect example of it. With perhaps only two visually disturbing scenes, the madness unfolds between the simple interactions between the protagonist and antagonist. What’s most scary of all? This might actually happen. Rated R.
Dogtooth (2009) – Some of you might say, “Hey Dogtooth isn’t a horror film”! If you think that horror’s only limited to screaming, running for their lives, gore, blood, monsters, ghosts, perhaps you should think again. When a movie’s got a twisted family that promotes taboo acts with one another, and forcing one to rip out her teeth, I find it quite horrific and disturbing. Not for the prude, as it’s very graphic, “Dogtooth” takes you in a bizarre world of family relationship. Slow burning, funny, and disturbing, this is a movie that’s best suited for those looking to seek something new in the horror genre or just plain tired of the usual stuff. Nominated for Best Foreign Film, it’s one to be truly experienced. Rated R.
Comments or thoughts? Have recommendations or suggestions? Let us know!
From B-movie bogeymen and outer space oddities to big-budget terrors, Monsters in the Movies by legendary filmmaker John Landis showcases the greatest monsters ever to creep, fly, slither, stalk, or rampage across the Silver Screen!
Landis provides his own fascinating and entertaining insights into the world of moviemaking, while conducting in-depth “conversations” with leading monster makers, including David Cronenberg, Christopher Lee, John Carpenter, and Sam Raimi— to discuss some of the most petrifying monsters ever seen. He also surveys the historical origins of the archetypal monsters, such as vampires, zombies, and werewolves, and takes you behind the scenes to discover the secrets of those special-effects wizards who created such legendary frighteners as King Kong, Dracula, and Halloween’s Michael Myers. With more than 1000 stunning movie stills and posters, this book is sure to keep even the most intense fright-seekers at the edge of their seats for hours!
John Landis briefly discusses some of the topics covered in the book:
If you like our recommendation, please support us by purchasing your own copy through the link below.
Blue Underground remasters Lucio Fulci’s classic “Zombie” under the supervision of cinematographer, Sergio Salvati.
Here’s a video of the restoration process. Zombie has never looked better!
I caught Ross Tuttle’s Resident Aliens, an interesting doc featured at the 2011 DC APA Film Festival last Sunday night. Back in 2008, while volunteering at a pro bono agency in South Texas, I had the opportunity to be involved in a deportation defense case for a Cambodian refugee in immigration detention, who originally was resettled in Rhode Island. He had not adjusted status to become a citizen and a few encounters with law enforcement in his community and soon found himself in the Port Isabel detention center facing removal back to Cambodia. I remember writing emails and calling his sister hoping to piece together his history to build aspects of for a defense against the government charging him with being removable (deportable) under US immigration law. Growing up in a more privileged setting, I had to adjust my patterns in trying to contact his family. I wasn’t used to the limitations of calling someone only using prepaid cellphone service, and got a bit impatient when I didn’t get a near automatic reply to an email because they could only check messages on a neighbor’s computer.
This young man did prevail in his defense and made it home to his family. Unfortunately, this was not the first time his family faced these circumstances. During my fact gathering, it was reluctantly related to me that one of his older brothers had already been removed from the US and had little contact with him. I think they were reluctant to tell me because they felt it would jeopardize the still-detained brother’s case. During an interview with his family, they related to me that they heard that those who went back to Cambodia weren’t treated well.
There are two sides of looking at this. Yes, assuming the domestic legal system had processed their cases fairly, they were found guilty of some socially reprehensible actions which made them subject to deportation. For these folks featured in this documentary, they entered the US under refugee status, escaping from a very cruel despotic regime in their home country. Unfortunately, many of these refugees were resettled in areas where they faced crime, discrimination and prejudice, which in turn promoted many to form or join gangs and adopt street-lifestyles. Many of those returned had been in the US for most of their lives. Being returned to the Cambodia would not be an easy adjustment. An aspect being removed under these provisions also involves a sense of permanence; the returnee can never reenter the United States.
It’s a bleak transition. According to a returnee services coordinator in Cambodia featured in the documentary, only a few are able to flourish, most are barely sustaining themselves, with another subset succumbing to additions and living life on the streets. Their success seemed related to their degree of accepting their status in Cambodia, and being able to move forward with it. It doesn’t help that the locals don’t trust them either, as they understand that it was their convictions that led to their return. They long for the land they called home, their families, and their children. KK shows promise of turning it around, who went from being a gang banger to taking care of many children through teaching them how to breakdance at his own school, leading them to a opportunity to perform before a nation-wide audience. He misses his five year old son at home, blaming his old ways for leading him to this seemingly insurmountable separation. A level of redemption for him is offering these kids a skill that may give them more opportunities to break away from a life on the streets.
It’s gritty, but still it’s a slice of life. This doc puts a human face on those who have faced consequences of US immigration law. I’m glad I had the opportunity to catch it. Check Allison Lyzenga’s post on her blog for a companion review including some coverage of another compelling doc on a North Korean refugee in the US.
