MAY 10 - 8:00 p.m. - Aratani/Japan America Theatre
Once again, Visual Communications proudly presents the latest
edition of works from its pioneering emerging filmmaker
program, the Armed With a Camera Fellowship. In tandem with
a couple of new works from the UCLA Center for Ethnocommunications'
Video Ethnography Workshop, this grouping of new works casts
an eye on the social situation, and how us Asian peoples-youngsters,
seniors, queer, straight, wannabes, never-were's and just
about everything else in between-are making an impact on
the whole big scene.
TRT: 61 minutes
GOT BOOK? AUNTIE HELEN'S GIFT OF BOOKS
(United States, 2005) Dir.: Florante Peter Ibanez
GOT BOOK? profiles Helen Agcaoili Summers
Brown, founder of the Filipino American Library. Auntie
Helen, as she is widely known in the Filipino Community
is interviewed by one of her sons, George Brown, tracing
her upbringing in the Philippines as a mestiza (half Filipino
and half Caucasian American). Reputedly the first Filipina
to attend UCLA, Helen married her UCLA sweetheart, Bill
Brown, became a teacher and raised a family. Her collection
of Philippine books from her father became the basis of
her dream, the Filipino American Library.
Video, 8 minutes, color, documentary
METRO ES PARA TODOS: "Grandma" Hee Pok Kim & The Bus Riders Union
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Eurie Chung
Hee Pok Kim, an elderly Los Angeles
Koreatown denizen, recounts her growing sense of political
involvement as a result of her activities with the Bus Riders'
Union. Interviews with Kim and other, younger, activists
foreground a dynamic lady that proves that one can never
be too old to get involved.
Video, 8 minutes, color, documentary, in English and Korean w/E.S.
HANG IN THERE BABY!
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Michael D. Caigoy
John is a motivational speaker. Some
of those around him struggle to understand his philosophy
and eliminate the root of their unhappy thoughts; others
just struggle to live on the bare necessities. A surreal
meditation on the fickle character of happiness.
Video, 5 minutes, color, narrative
TRANS ART
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Maricar Camaya
TRANS ART examines the role of art and
performance in the lives of Dominic Madrid, a singer and
performance artist, and Ryka Aoki de la Cruz, an artist
and organizer of Trans/Giving, Los Angeles' only performance
space for transgender, gender queer and intersex artists.
Video, 5 minutes, color, documentary
FOR TOMORROW MAY RAIN
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Sandra Chheng
Gal has grown up her entire life not
knowing how to attach nor develop relationships with anyone.
To fill that void she buys products that give her contentment
for a period of time. She sees an advertisement for a pair
of yellow rain boots; the perfect rain boots. Knowing what
she wanted, but not expecting the unexpected is what she
is about to learn at the store.
Video, 5 minutes, color, narrative
HONORABLE SON
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Jay Esguerra
A Filipino son has is torn by a dilemma.
In reconciling his future obligations to take care of his
family & mentally impaired brother, he realizes he must
confront parental silence in acknowledging his gay identity
at home. To do this, he opens up a dialogue with his parents.
Video, 5 minutes, color, narrative
HOOPTOWN INTERNATIONAL
(United States, 2006) Dir.: A. Gabe Pagtama
HOOPTOWN, co-produced by Abe, Gabe,
and Karen Pagtama, is a documentary short about the formation
of a youth basketball organization. It was created 18 years
ago by a group of Filipino Americans who wanted to get kids
out of trouble and learn how to be productive citizens.
Hooptown has produced players playing college basketball
in America and professional basketball in the Philippines.
Video, 5 minutes, color, documentary
YIGGER
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Koji Sakai, Joseph Phong Dao
Ryan thinks he's African American. He
wants to be so bad that he even sees himself as one. But
when he's confronted with the truth on stage, he comes to
the stunning realization of who he really is: an Asian American
rapper in a predominantly non-Asian American culture.
Video, 5 minutes, color, narrative
A DAY BEHIND BARS
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Apollo Victoria
At-risk youth take a day trip to visit
prisoners of San Quentin as one of many activities coordinated
by Rudy Corpuz of United Playaz, a non-profit youth organization
based in San Francisco. The organizers, youth and prisoners
give their viewpoints on the program and on prison issues.
Video, 5 minutes, color, documentary
PANDA MAN
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Rebecca Yee
A parody of documentary filmmaker Werner
Herzog's GRIZZLY MAN, PANDA MAN explores the life and death
of professional panda bear enthusiast Rick Yitt, who sought
to liberate pandas and end panda exploitation. Rick lived
with pandas for 13 years, until he and his girlfriend, Gloria
Yip, were attacked and killed by the infamous giant panda,
Ling-Ling.
Video, 5 minutes, color, narrative
THE DEBUTANTES OF ORANGE COUNTY
(United States, 2006) Dir.: Rhianne Paz Bergado
Orange County has hit the limelight
in a mean way, but not in the way that's depicted on TV.
Meet Adrian, Monica, and world of Grrl Fair. This Rock,
Art, and DIY festival arms local young women with weapons
of creativity. THE DEBUTANTES OF ORANGE COUNTY explores
the crossroads of music, culture, and gender hidden in behind
the Orange Curtain.
