Schema Magazine

L'Affaire Tierney | Quebec Basher or Truthteller?

In The Trotsky, the latest film from Montreal director Jacob Tierney, Leon Bronstein convinces himself that he is the reincarnation of the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky, and tries to lead his classmates at Montreal West high-school to unionize. Above is Leon (Jay Baruchel) fielding questions from reporters about his controversial ideas, but it may as well be Tierney himself in light of the media storm that his recent interview with La Presse has caused.

In the interview Tierney complains that the Quebec society has "turned in on itself," and that this phenomenon has dangerous consequences for the film industry of la belle province. Tierney's most biting criticism concerns the representation of immigrants and anglophones in Quebec cinema:

Au Québec, les immigrants et les anglophones ne sont pas seulement marginalisés: ils sont invisibles...Regarde la soirée des Jutra. C'est blanc! C'est francophone! C'est ça le Québec? Si tu es un jeune Haïtien de Montréal, est-ce que tu vois une place pour toi là-dedans?

In Quebec, immigrants and anglophones are not only marginalized: they are invisible...Look at the Jutra's [an award ceremony for Quebec cinema]. It's white! It's francophone! Is that Quebec? If you are a young Haitian in Montreal, do you see a place for yourself there?

These and other comments that Tierney made during the interview were met with an angry backlash of commentary, articles, facebooking and Twittering — one fan even writes, "I'm team Jacob (Tierney)"! But is this reckless and prejudice Québec bashing on Tierney's part, or do his sentiments reveal a fundamental flaw in Quebec's film industry? Public opinion seems to be split right down the middle.

Tierney's frustration is understandable because, let's face it, Quebecois films are the only films out of Canada that get any recognition. Just try to name some Canadian films from this past year. That's right, you can't. Now try to name your favourite Canadian films. Oh right, you don't have any. Either that or they were all fait au Québec, I know mine were. See the problem here?

Admittedly there have been some well attended and critically acclaimed films out of the ROC (that's Quebec-speak for Rest Of Canada). Films such as Sarah Polley's Away From Her, based on the Alice Munro story, or the Vancouver shot Double Happiness, but it's far more likely that you and international critics have seen C.R.A.Z.Y., The Barbarian Invasions, or La Grande Séduction — all great films, are unapologetically white and francophone.

Brendan Kelly, a long-time film critic for the Montreal Gazette, came forward on Tierney's side, saying that "No one here [Quebec] lives exclusively in one language or one culture," and that Tierney is right to point out that Quebec cinema doesn't always reflect that experience.

One of the best cinematic examples of this criticism is Bon Cop, Bad Cop, the bilingual action comedy in which a francophone cop from Montreal and an anglophone cop from Toronto reluctantly pair up to track down a serial killer. With culture clashes, miscommunication, and hilarity ensue the film, which was made by Tierney's father, Kevin Tierney, is also the highest grossing Canadian film to date. Maybe incorporating a few anglos into the francophone mix isn't such a bad idea after all!

In response to the interview, La Presse writer Stéphane Laporte wrote a defence of Quebec cinema, in which he argues that francophone filmmakers have a right to tell their own stories because they can't expect Hollywood to do it for them. Touché. I was right with him until he produced the argument that no one complains that German cinema primarily depicts Germans, or that Jewish cinema depicts Jewish people (whatever Jewish cinema means), so why shouldn't Quebec cinema depict the Quebecois? This leads to one major problem; who then, are the Quebecois?

Many objectors to Tierney's statements point to the ethnic diversity in films such as Un Dimanche à Kigali (A Sunday in Kigali), about the Rwandan genocide, and Le Nèg' (The Negro), about racial tensions in rural Quebec. Well, of course these films aren't all white; one takes place in Africa and the other is about racism!

What we should take from Tierney's comments is not that the Quebec film industry is racist, or that Quebecois filmmakers shouldn't make francophone films, because after all, if they don't, who will? Tierney is suggesting that the young Haitian Montréalais shouldn't have to look to a film about racism to see his image reflected in the cinema. Quebec is a nation in its own right, and so its national film industry should reflect all the colours and languages and experiences of la vie québecoise.

Stay tuned to see Tierney in his father's next film, French Immersion, which has five anglos (and not all of them white) embarking on a two-week language immersion program in small-town Quebec. Francophones, anglos, and immigrants...oh my!

Thanks to Cedric Sam at Comme Les Chinois for the tip!

Confessions of genocide: Enemies of the People | Film | Cambodia

By Jordana Mah

When I saw the trailer for the feature film Enemies of the People recently on ChannelAPA, I literally felt proverbial chills go down my spine. In the 2:20 minute long trailer, an agonizing thread of a story is dangled before the viewer, drawing you into its stark and haunting true tale.

Enemies of the People is a blazingly honest documentary by one of Cambodia's most well-known journalists, Thet Sambath. In the film, we follow Sambath on his journey to find the truth behind the horrific killings of the 1970s in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge regime - killings that included Sambath's own family. What makes the impact of this film so much more immediate than most, is that Sambath takes us into the heart and minds of the ones we don't want to empathize with the most: the ones behind the deaths of 2 million people.

Giving testimonies never before seen, or heard on film are the soldiers who carried out the killings, as well as the Khmer Rouge's ideological leader, Nuon Chea, aka Brother Number Two. Somehow Sambath managed to befriend Brother Number Two and gained his trust, so that he eventually reveals the intent and flawed ideologies that led to one of the most terrible massacres of the 20th century.

How Sambath was able to accomplish such amazing feats is beyond me, but he explains his extraordinary work with humility:

"My sources are country people. The Khmer Rouge were all country people. They don't talk to people from the city, let alone foreigners. I am a country person. I think that's why, in the end, they talk to me. I am one of them."

Having already won dozens of documentary festival awards, including a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Grand Jury Award at the Full Frame Documentary Festival, the buzz around Enemies of the People is only growing. While many claim various films are a "must-see," this film definitely deserves that title more than many others.

Posted by Jordana Mah | July 23, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Asian, Cambodia, Film, Politics, South Asian

3rd Vancouver Brazillian Film Festival | July 15-18, 2010 | Vancity Theatre

By Kwaku Adu-Poku

The 3rd Vancouver Brazilian Film Festival will take place at the Vancity Theatre from July 15th-18th, courtesy of the Inffinito Festival Circuit. 10 of the top Brazilian productions from the second half of 2009 onwards will be gracing the screen over the three days, culminating with the Cristal Lens Award being presented to the best film as chosen by YOU on the festival's closing night.

There will also be a special FREE panel discussion on July 17th at 2pm with two Brazilian film industry professionals: producer and distributor Bianca Felippes, and journalist and film critic Wilson Cunha.

A discussion about current cinematic production in Brazil, touching upon cultural diversity, the new energy coming from the margins and rising to the surface of Brazilian cinema - a cinema tradition that has migrated from the middle and upper class youth to include not only a totally new generation of lower income communities, yet moreover, new means of funding and exhibition and the formation of newly "connected" audiences.

Here's a quick rundown of the schedule!

Love Stories Last only 90 Minutes (Histórias de Amor Duram Apenas 90 Minutos)
HD, 2010, 90min
DIR: Paulo Halm
July 15, 6:30pm

Beyond Ipanema - Brazilian Waves in Global Music (Beyond Ipanema - Ondas Brasileiras na Música Global)
HD, 2009, 87min
DIR: Guto Barra
July 15, 8:45pm

Dzi Croquettes
HD, 2009, 110min
DIR: Tatiana Issa & Raphael Alvarez
July 16, 6:30pm

Time of Peace (Tempos de Paz)
HD, 2009, 82min
DIR: Daniel Filho
July 16, 8:45pm

Panel Dialogue
BRAZIL XXI - Cinema Without Borders
July 17, 2:00pm

Within the River, Amongst the Trees (No Meio do Rio Entre as Árvores)
2009, 70min
DIR: Jorge Bodanzky
July 17, 4:00pm

Elvis & Madona (Elvis e Madona)
HD, 2010, 100min
DIR: Marcelo Laffitte
July 17, 6:30pm

Time of Fear (Salve Geral)
HD, 2009, 119min
DIR: Sérgio Rezende
July 17, 8:45pm

Blue Eyes (Olhos Azuis)
HD, 2009, 111min
DIR: José Joffily
July 18, 4:00pm

Tamboro
HD, 2009, 100min
DIR: Sergio Bernardes
July 18, 6:30pm

Lula, The Son of Brazil (Lula, o Filho do Brasil)
35mm, 2009, 128min
DIR: Fábio Barreto
July 18, 8:45pm

Posted by Kwaku Marfo Adu-Poku | July 13, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Advertisement, Event, Film Festival, International

Babies Documentary is Cute, But Problematic

By Kwaku Adu-Poku

Months ago, I saw a trailer for a documentary called Babies, which follows the everyday lives of 4 babies from different parts of the world from the time that they are born until they each start walking. I will be honest, I already knew I was going to dislike what this film represented before I even walked into the theatre.

One of the film's subjects is an African baby, from Namibia, who lives in the bush. I will never deny the fact that people all over the world have a variety of life experiences, but I was selfishly upset that they would choose a baby from the bush when there are so many African cities that no one ever gets to see. I was thinking that a movie such as this would draw a large international and mainstream audience, and that this would have been the perfect chance to dispel and combat stereotypes, rather than reaffirm them. Of course, I hadn't actually seen the movie yet, so I was cautiously optimistic that it would prove me wrong.

It didn't. Right from the beginning my issues with the film began to mount. First off, the babies seemed to be presented in order of perceived socioeconomic status and quality of life, starting with the African baby, followed by the Mongolian, the Japanese, and the American. From the get-go, there were intense meta-messages seemingly reaffirming the enlightened American experience in juxtaposition to a rough "third world" existence. The babies were presented in contrast to one another, during play, while feeding, and at times just exploring on their own; in doing so, this already placed an inherent value judgement on the activities that each baby would perform and be involved in.

Without giving too much away about the film, there was one scene in particular that infuriated me. Each child was shown playing and interacting with the animals in their lives. The first three children were all shown playing with cats, and it was cute and everybody sighed. Then the African child came back around. Tell me why they showed him interacting with flies and not an animal like the rest of the babies? Now, you might say that perhaps there were no friendly, or fairly domesticated animals in his life to allow for such interaction - except that prior to this moment, it had been shown that there was in fact a domesticated dog interacting with his family. Unfortunately, no one will remember this fact. What they will remember is that while the other babies were playing with their cats, the poor African child was staring at flies.

The African children were also subject to hypersexualization, as they were shown being curious about and playing with their penises. I found this appalling, because despite the fact that all children discover and may be curious about their genitals, and that all other sections of the film were comparisons, the African children were the only ones shown touching their penises. This hypersexual image is one that persists in media surrounding blacks, and the film only served to heighten that stereotype.

These weren't the only things I found problematic, but they were some of my main issues. It frustrates me because I think that a lot of people will take this film at face value and may not ask these kinds of questions, or challenge these assumptions, simply because they have never been presented with another point of view. Don't get me wrong, even though I had a lot of issues with the film, the babies are pretty cute.

If you have seen the film and have something to say, I would love to hear from you. Maybe you absolutely loved it. You don't have to agree with me, I'd just like to hear your opinion.

Posted by Kwaku Marfo Adu-Poku | July 12, 2010 | Comments (1)

Tags: Culture, Film, Media, Race, Sexual Stereotypes

Winning bidder of Yves Saint Laurent house auction refuses to pay for Chinese relics

By Michelle Pham

The world may still be reeling from a tough economic recession, but lack of cash flow has not affected the bids at the Yves Saint Laurent house auction. From the abstract Picassos that graced his walls, to the sculptures that lined his mahogany tables, the artwork that invigorated Yves Saint Laurent was on display in Paris for a week before being auctioned off by the eminent New York auction house, Christie's.

The 733 piece art collection between Saint Laurent and his former partner, Pierre Berge amassed a grand total of just over $483 million dollars according to Christie's. The fashion mogul had passed away two years ago at 71 years of age from cancer. Berge and Saint Laurent commenced their journey as patrons of art in the 1950's when Saint Laurent was an up and coming designer at Christian Dior. When asked why Berge was auctioning off the valuable collection, he said that without Saint Laurent, "it had lost a greater part of its significance." Nevertheless, there were some significant controversies and record-high bids such as when a sculpture by Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi was bought for 29 million Euros (£25m), well above the expected price.

However, the auction also opened up old wounds with the Chinese government. Cai Mingchao, who works for China's National Treasures Fund, placed the winning bid for two 18th Century bronze statues by phone. Later, Mingchao publicly announced that he cannot pay - or would not pay - for the two statues since he feels that they rightfully belong to China. Mingchao views his bid as a patriotic act, saying "I did this on behalf of the Chinese people."

It is not clear whether Mingchao bid as an individual, or on behalf of the government of China. China attempted to launch a legal halt on the sale of the relics, looted 150 years ago from Beijing's Yuan Ming Yuan - the Garden of Perfect Brightness, or Summer Palace of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) emperors. China was unsuccessful and Christie's refused to bow into the pressure, leaving the bronze statues to be auctioned off as planned.

The debate received immense public attention around the world. Many suggested that the government of China should step in and open their chequebooks as they had in the past with five other bronze statues. Others commented on the Chinese government and their policies. Berge countered China, saying he would give the statues to China if Beijing would "observe human rights and give liberty to the Tibetan people and welcome the Dalai Lama."

These are questions that will continue to be asked as the world moves into reconciliation and transition. China is not the only country to be affected by the situation of looted, or stolen traditional property. Who does the material belong to? If the French courts decide to sue Mingchao, how will they force a Chinese citizen to appear in the French courts for trial? It's an issue that will always be under fire.

Posted by Michelle Pham | July 12, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Asian, China, Commentary, Culture, DailyDose, Identity, International

Oy! Just Beat It! | At the Fringe | Toronto Fringe Festival

By Genie MacLeod

I am not up on my Bollywood trivia, but apparently the late, great King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson himself, is something of an idol for the industry. Such is the premise of Anita Majumdar's new play Oy! Just Beat It!, playing until Sunday as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival. But what has Michael Jackson got to do with Bollywood, you ask? My first thoughts exactly. So let's take a moment to look at the similarities: Catchy and relentlessly cheery tunes? Check. Glitzy costumes? Check. Stellar dance moves? Check check.

According to the Toronto Star, Oy! Just Beat It is one of the plays getting some buzz at this year's Fringe, and judging by the story, it's well deserved. Now that we've established that Michael Jackson and Bollywood are a match made in svarga (take a quick peek at Majumdar's rundown of MJ-inspired routines if you're still not convinced), let's move on to the plot.

With only days to go before she is shipped off to Canada to make good on an arranged marriage, Kabirah (Majumdar) gets to live out her dream of being a playback singer for an honest-to-goodness Bollywood film. Her biggest credit to date is a commercial for a skin whitening cream, but now she is paired with Felipe (Leon Aureus), an accomplished Filipino-Indian singer. Over the course of the recording session the singers, along with the disembodied voice of their sound engineer (played by real life sound engineer Reza Jacobs), cover topics of love, heritage, immigration, shadism, and of course, MJ.

If you want to check out Oy! Just Beat It! before it closes, then boogie on down to Tarragon Extra Space this weekend and let Kabirah and Felipe rock your world!

Also keep checking Daily Dose over the next couple weeks as we bring you an in-depth review of Oy! Just Beat It!

Posted by Genie MacLeod | July 9, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Asian, Commentary, Culture, Dance, Diversity, Ethnic Cool, Fusion, Identity, Music, South Asian, Theatre

Taiwanese Film Festival Movie Review | A Place of One's Own

By Justin Ko

A cyclical structure of self-destruction, self-preservation, and reincarnation runs rampant throughout the Taiwanese film "A Place of One's Own," but there is no discernable moral, or lesson to be learnt by the movie's conclusion, just a desire to re-examine the trajectories of our own lives. A remarkably funny and at times uplifting black comedy which still refuses to sugar coat the dark and depressing aspects of its cynical realm, director Yi-An (Ian) Lou has managed to craft a charming and moving work that resonates simultaneously with the absurd and the realistic, while drawing attention to such current issues as the Taiwanese popular music industry and the plight of indigenous Taiwanese peoples.

Shown at the Taiwanese Film Festival (TWFF) here at the Vancouver International Film Centre, from July 2nd-4th, A Place of One's Own was one of the most popular Taiwanese films of the year among critics and viewers alike when it was originally released in 2009, garnering the Best New Taiwanese Generation Film award at the 2009 Hong Kong Film Festival and the Most Popular Film Award at the 2009 Taipei Film Festival. And, nearly a year later at the TWFF, the film was still well received by the local Vancouver audience, many of whom applauded the show by the movie's end.

The fact that both Lou and actor Tzu-Yi "Morning" Mo, who plays the washed up rocker "Mozi", are both real life Taiwanese musicians and active members of the local indie rock scene certainly enhances the film's uncanny portrayal of a celebrity's downward spiral and subsequent "resurrection". Indeed, the manner with which Mozi is spectacularly resurrected from obscurity to fame by a bandwagon-jumping fanbase evokes shades of Michael Jackson, and his overnight success is tinged with the same irony and cynicism that at times defined the circus surrounding Jackson's death.

But Mozi's rise and fall (and subsequent rise) is not the only captivating performance in the film. Mozi's girlfriend, the promising singer "Kasey" played by Chia-Hsin Lu, manages to steal the show with a magnetic display of strength and resoluteness in the face of the stubborn despair exhibited by her enigmatic, yet troubled, boyfriend. Many films that depict such self-pitying anti-heroes like Mozi tend to encourage the audience to sympathize with their plights, but Kasey as a character foil prevents the viewer from being blinded to Mozi's faults and misgivings. Instead, the lovely Chia-Hsin Lu imbues her character with a sense of deeply conflicted ambivalence towards her own burgeoning musical success, in comparison to Mozi and his wallowing in glorified washed-up rocker status. Lu, who won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2009 Taipei Film Festival for her portrayal of Kasey, certainly proved that she could hold her own in the film, able to nail the "up-and-coming musician" persona with all the appropriate eagerness and uncertainty.

In addition to the woes of Mozi and Kasey, there's a whole other storyline in the movie - the financial troubles of Lin, played by Jack Kao, who makes origami and wooden houses for the deceased to reside in for the afterlife. Though Lin's interactions with his clients, who are mostly Taiwanese gangsters in search of proper "feng shui" for their elderly fathers' imminent deaths, provides much of the black comedy of the movie, the scenes involving Lin and his family also showcase the beauty of rural Taipei, with its green mountains and sprawling landscapes on the outskirts of the metropolis. When Lin and his family end up selling their land to pay for a costly operation, the central theme of displacement comes to the fore; it seems that, contrary to possessing a fixed "place of one's own," all the characters of the movie seem to be moving around constantly, only achieving permanence in death.

Despite embodying this somewhat depressing notion, director Ian Lou and producer Singing Chen collaborate beautifully to create a work that finds joy in the often tragic trappings of reality. Indeed, with the possible exception of Mozi, every major and minor character demonstrates a remarkable degree of courage against their own circumstances of adversity, showing that they can persevere with or without a true place of belonging.

A Place of One's Own. Director: Yi-An Lou. Producer: Singing Chen. 118 minutes, 2009.
Cast: Tzu-Yi Morning Mo, Chia-Hsin Lu, Jack Kao, I-Ching Lu, Zheng-Gang Tang, James Wen.

Posted by Justin Ko | July 12, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Daily Dose, Film, Film Festival, Music, pop culture, Taiwan

BIG NIGHT with Pino Posteraro | Cinema to Savour

By Kwaku Adu-Poku

On Monday, July 12th, at 7pm the Chefs' Table Society of BC is proud to present Big Night with acclaimed chef Pino Posteraro at the Vancity Theatre. This will be the first of four regionally inspired nights of fine dining and fine cinema in their Cinema to Savour series. The night will consist of a screening of the movie Big Night, paired with the finest Italian finger food courtesy of Posteraro and chef John Bishop of Bishop's Restaurant. With good food also comes good wine courtesy of Burrows, Luongo & Associates, as well as local craft beer from R & B Brewing Co.

You may know Posteraro as not only the president of Chef's Table Society of BC, but also the man at the helm of Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca in Yaletown, and a soon to be inductee into the Distinguished Restaurants of North America hall of fame. His restaurant Cioppino's has been voted the best formal Italian restaurant by Vancouver Magazine for 8 years running, and won restaurant of the year in 2009. Posteraro also won not only chef of the year in 2008, but also a 2005 award of excellence from the Accademia Della Cucina Italiana, a cultural institution devoted to Italian food. This man is legit.

Big Night
USA, 1995, 107 min
DIR: Campbell Scott

Big Night tells the story of two brothers running a failing Italian restaurant in New Jersey who gamble it all on one special night to try and turn things around. The film stars Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, Ian Holm, and Tony Shalhoub.

Tickets are $75, which includes the film screening, possibly the finest food you've ever eaten, great libations to go with it, a signed copy of the Society's new cookbook Vancouver Cooks 2, and some face time with the celebrity chef himself. Proceeds go towards supporting and fostering a new generation of BC chefs committed to sustainability and forging long lasting relationships with local farmers and fishermen. Good food and a good cause.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.viff.org/theatre, or in person 30 before the event begins. For more info, you can also call the film info line at 604.683.FILM (3456).

Big Night will definitely be a night to remember!

Posted by Kwaku Marfo Adu-Poku | July 8, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Event, Film, Food

Football Fever | FIFA World Cup | United We Stand

By Genie MacLeod

Last Friday when the Black Stars of Ghana went up against Uruguay's Los Charrúas, a prime spot to be for the Vancouver contingent of Ghana fans was Nyala restaurant on Main Street.

During the year, the restaurant specializes in the cuisine of Ethiopia, South Africa, and Morocco, but since June 11th it has been the bastion for fans of all African teams competing in this year's FIFA World Cup. Tensions ran high in the packed restaurant as all eyes gazed rapturously at the special-for-the-World-Cup 10 ft screen. The audience was a mixture of the very young and the not so young, men and women, white and black, and everything in between, and all of us temporarily relinquishing our Canadian identity (or for some, representing our Ghanaian heritage) in order to cheer on the Black Stars. Well, almost all of us.

Just as the game was beginning, in came a small but very loud and very proud party of Uruguayan supporters. Tensions rose even higher. What are they doing here, we wondered. The sign outside clearly says Nyala African Cuisine.

I admit freely that I am a bandwagon football fan, and a fledgeling one at that. I'm still new to the idea of team rivalry - usually if any team I'm supporting is winning by too much I get upset and start to empathize with the other side. Empathy is the killer of competition. So since competition is clearly not my middle name, it was weird to suddenly become so territorial over a team, not to mention a sport, that I have only recent and vague affiliations with on a competitive level.

In the middle of the second half when Uruguay had tied up the game, I heard one of the members of the Uruguay table jokingly ask the restaurant's owner "Hey, will my wife and I be OK if we win?"

Yikes. Visions passed through my head of the impassioned, but (for now) calm and respectful Ghana fans seated around me suddenly seized by the agony of defeat, yelling, overturning tables, and driving the poor Uruguay corner into the street. (Given Uruguay's hand ball that cost Ghana what would have been a winning goal, it's a contentious issue whether such behaviour from Ghana fans might in fact have been justified).

Football fans are known for their hooliganism, but we're in Canada, where politeness trumps all and frankly (no offense to our national men's soccer team), we're used to losing. In the end politeness cancelled out anger, and when Uruguay did in fact win the day, most of the Ghana fans made a bee-line for the door, mostly to avoid the victory dance of the Celeste (Uruguay) fans.

How does the FIFA World Cup, the largest and most popular international sporting event, bring us together if football culture inherently divides? If I could get so heated about my adoptive team, what did the die-hard England fans do when their Lions were pulverized by the cool control of Germany? How did this fan react when his beloved Celeste was eventually ousted by the Netherlands?

I'm not suggesting a throwback to kindergarten days when everyone was a winner and we all went home with a gold star just for participating. The excitement of football is in the struggle, and without a winner what would we be striving for? Although that competitive drive is necessary on the pitch, it doesn't need to translate to that extreme in the real world.

Despite noble efforts to police the Cup more effectively, Britain has once again reported a significant spike in cases of domestic violence on game days. Apparently, football fanaticism in Britain is so intense that the British Home Office (think U.S. Homeland Security) slaps football banning orders on fans who have committed past football-related felonies, so that they are prohibited from travelling within the country or abroad to attend a match. It seems the beautiful game can have some pretty ugly consequences.

Perhaps we as fans should take a cue from players themselves. Sure, sometimes they dive, yell at the ref, even fight a bit (but still not like they do in hockey!), but watching this FIFA World Cup I was floored by the sportsmanlike behaviour of the majority of players. I saw players sticking up for the other team when the ref made a bad call (not an infrequent occurrence in this FIFA World Cup), giving an opponent a hand up when he had fallen (and not just to avoid getting carded), patting the enemy on the head when he made a good play, and just generally showing respect for the talent and effort of the other team.

The FIFA World Cup undoubtedly does bring the world closer together. When else can you cry "Viva Espana!" in the street and be met by knowing and appreciative cheers, or make instant friends with the parking lot attendant based on mutual team love (true story). And though there can only be one winner of the FIFA World Cup, in true kindergarten form, we do all win when we can support our teams with joy and take our losses in stride.

Posted by Genie MacLeod | July 10, 2010 | Comments (1)

Tags: Commentary, Community, International, Politics, Sports

NEW on In-Depth's BWAYRF: Andrea Bang

By Schema Magazine In-Depth

One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong...

Remember that old song from Sesame Street? Sure, it's all fun and games when Cookie Monster is trying to figure out which plate has more cookies, but what happens when you can apply that principle to your own life? What do you do when it looks like you're the one who doesn't belong?

This week's But Where Are You Really From?, guest writer Andrea Bang grapples with the idea of "Canadian-ness"; Who has it, who should have it, and does it even matter since it seems no one outside of Canada even recognizes it?

Read the full article in Schema Magazine In-Depth

Posted by Genie MacLeod | July 7, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Asian, Asian Canadian, Commentary, Diversity, Identity

Park Young Ha, 1978-2010 | Korea

By Justin Ko

It is clear that the increasingly global obsession with Korean culture and entertainment, through media such as dramas and Korean pop music, has been gaining in momentum and popularity over the years. The recent performance of the Wonder Girls, a prominent Korean girl group, at the Vogue Theater here in downtown Vancouver on June 29th demonstrated that the popularity of Korean culture extends well beyond Asia.

However, amidst all the optimism surrounding the Korean entertainment industry, the tremendous stress and internal criticism that is often endured by Korean celebrities has occasionally been too much for these public figures to bear. Celebrity suicides, though shocking and horrific, represent the unspoken dark specter of the industry. And with the recent suicide of Korean actor and singer Park Young Ha on June 30th, the uncomfortable issue, while by no means indicative of the Korean entertainment scene as a whole, reared its head once more, to the dismay and worry of Korean fans and fans worldwide.

Park Young Ha, who played prominent roles in hit dramas such as Winter Sonata, Men's Story, and On Air, was only 32 years old at the time of his death. With no suicide note, it is still uncertain as to the reason why Park took his own life. Famous in Japan, Park had released several albums in Japanese, in addition to his successful dramas. As a high profile actor, his death was mourned by a large number of Korean celebrities, all of whom expressed their sincerest condolences.

The singer Park Gyuri from the band Kara posted this on her Twitter account: "He was one of my favorite actors...My condolences go out to Park Yong Ha... I ask myself, if his closest friends are saying they do not know the reason of his death, how hard would it have been for Park Yong Ha to hide his pain all along?... What we see isn't everything. I hope everyone around, including myself, feels the happiness in life always by not forgetting how thankful we should be. I hope he's free of burdens at where he is now."

Many recalled that Park seemed in relatively normal condition in the days leading to his suicide; in fact, Park was set to play the lead role in an upcoming Korean drama known as Love Song, alongside Yoon Eun Hye, in the near future. His funeral procession took place at 6AM on July 2nd, at Seoul's St. Mary's Hospital, and was led by his father and his close friend So Ji Sub, who had not left Park's side since his body was sent to St. Mary's Hospital.

Park's father, it has been noted, suffered from terminal stomach cancer, and Park had been caring for him at their home prior to his death. The strain and pressure that arose from his father's illness has been offered as a possible reason for Park's suicide; he was very close to his father, and in fact his last known living act was giving his father a massage. But, as Park Gyuri mentions, what we see is not everything, and Park Young Ha's reasons will never be truly clear.

Though Park Young Ha's suicide was understandably shocking and surprising, there have been several other unfortunate instances where Korean celebrities committed suicide for various reasons. Since the actress Lee Eun-Joo took her own life in 2005, a startling number of celebrities have decided that they were unable to bear the difficulties of their lives, ranging from financial problems to divorces.

Depression seems to have been a common symptom; under the intense scrutiny of the public eye in the Korean industry, many celebrities suffer from the high expectations of their work. Of course, the appreciation and love for Korean entertainment and the country as a whole will surely remain strong in the face of such tragedies, but for the fans of Park Young Ha, there will certainly be questions asked as well, and a desire to ease the psychological burden that Korean celebrities as a whole must often deal with, silently, and at times fatally.

Posted by Justin Ko | July 8, 2010 | Comments (1)

Tags: daily dose, Korea

The LXD - The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers

By Adrian Bailon

Part superhero nerd-fest, part epic b-boy battle, The LXD is going live on the web in just a few short days. Capitalizing on the popularity of dance competition TV shows like America's Best Dance Crew and So You Think Can Dance, The LXD - short for "Legion of Extraordinary Dancers" - will tell the origin stories of super-dancers in what looks like Heroes meets Step Up.

The connection to Step Up isn't a coincidence though, with LXD being directed by Jon M. Chu, who directed both Step Up 2: The Streets and the upcoming Step Up 3D. Chu introduced The LXD first at a TED2010 talk, and will continue to stick with the web for the actual series, with The LXD premiering on video site Hulu on July 7th.

To be honest, I'm still not completely sure what The LXD is all about, but as a comic book nerd whose favourite documentary film happens to be Planet B-Boy, all i know is that I'm looking forward to seeing how The LXD all plays out. Unfortunately for us Canadians, Hulu is only available in the USA at the moment. But being a web series, I'm sure somebody somewhere will think of a way to make it available north of the border and around the world.

Check out the trailers below for a taste of what LXD will be offering viewers.

Posted by Adrian Bailon | July 15, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Dance, Jon M. Chu, The LXD

Spring Fever | A Chinese Director Goes Rogue

By Genie MacLeod

Director Lou Ye is no stranger to controversy. His last film, Summer Palace, was a graphic depiction of the intense and passionate relationship of two students at the fictional Beiqing University during the time of the student revolution. The feature earned him critical acclaim from Western film critics, as well as a five-year ban on all his filmmaking endeavours from the Chinese authorities.

Spring Fever, Lou's latest offering, is a tribute to a powerful love hidden in a secret affair. The film centres on the fraught relationship of Wang Ping (Wu Wei) and his wife Lin Xue (Jiang Jiaqi). When Lin suspects Wang's infidelity, she hires Luo Haitao (Chen Sicheng) to spy on him, only to discover that not only is her husband cheating on her, his ongoing tryst is with a man, Jiang Cheng (Qin Hao). Soon the spy and his girlfriend are pulled into Jiang's sexual orbit as well.

The film itself has received mixed reviews, especially from international critics bored by Lou's melodramatic handling of the poly-sexual content, but it remains a victory for Lou's own secret love affair: filmmaking. The ban on Lou's filmmaking, the second of his career, was imposed in 2006, and so Spring Fever had to be shot covertly in Nanjing. Thanks to financial backers from Hong Kong and France, Lou was able to enter the film as a joint Hong-Kong/French production at Cannes, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and came away with best screenplay. Spring Fever has been picked up by both the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and if Apple Trailers haven't steered me wrong, it will by defying censors to arrive at a theatre near you soon!

Posted by Genie MacLeod | July 6, 2010 | Comments (1)

Tags: Art, Asian, China, Commentary, Film, Film Festival, Gender, Identity, Media, Politics, Queer, Sex

Goodbye Larry King

By Christina and Jordana

As I heard Larry tell the world of his decision to resign from CNN's Larry King Live, I felt a sudden rush of disappointment and sadness. I don't watch his nightly television program religiously, nor am I a huge fan of Larry King, but when I heard the news that Larry will no longer be the host of Larry King Live, I immediately asked myself, how many idols and great leaders will be lose in this generation?

From Michael Jackson to Walter Cronkite, in the summer of 2009, we lost many great leaders and innovators. Although we have not lost Larry in the same way as the others, his resignation is a sign of another great idol stepping down from the lime-lights and quietly retreating back to time with his family (which is a controversial topic on its own). According to rumors, CNN is currently looking for a replacement, but no one will be able to compare to the work that Larry has put in.

Larry King, born as Lawrence Harvey Zeiger bussed to Miami in search of a career in broadcasting. Larry changed his last name to King, after his manager told him that his last name, Zeiger, was too difficult for people to remember. Throughout Larry's career in broadcasting, he won the Peabody Award, 10 CableACE Awards, the Golden Mike Award for Lifetime Achievement, and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame and Broadcasters' Hall of Fame. As if these awards and achievements weren't enough, Larry King was the first to receive Arizona State University's Hugh Downs Award for Communication Excellence.

Fame did not affect King's participation in many charitable organizations. Due to a personal battle with heart disease, King established the Larry King Cardiac Foundation.

As we sadly watch Larry King hang up his nightly suspenders, the world waits to see who will be the next host of a Guinness record holding prime time television show.

Posted by Christina J. | July 5, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Media, Most Popular, Television

Protest The Last Airbender this Thursday in Hollywood

By Kwaku Adu-Poku. Originally posted by Angry Asian Man

More press from M. Night Shyamalan... The director recently appeared as a guest on CBS' Early Show to promote The Last Airbender: M. Night Shyamalan's First Kids' Movie. When asked about the casting controversy, he dropped this little gem:

Shyamalan said, "It's a very small amount of people. ... We're talking about a few thousand people, but I'm saddened because they want them to look at me and be like, 'It's fantastic, this Asian guy has the mantle. His name is on the toys. This is fantastic.' Go get a Happy Meal, you'll see my name, this is good stuff. I want them to feel proud and excited. I want everyone to feel that way."

He continued, "But I think there's a misunderstanding about anime. Anime in and of itself is an art form where the features are ambiguous. When we watched the cartoon, I saw my daughters in it. I was like no doubt these are my daughters in the roles. And every family felt that and that's the beauty of anime. It's the most culturally diverse summer movie of all time. That should be its greatest asset is that it's so culturally diverse. Every nationality is represented with the exception of blond people."

Am I to understand that he's saying we shouldn't be upset about the casting -- we should be happy for him, as the Asian American director of this movie? Somehow, I find it really difficult to muster up the same pride and excitement he's talking about.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, and you feel strongly about this issue, there is a protest being organized this Thursday, July 1 at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Here's the note with more details from Guy Aoki of Media Action Network for Asian Americans:

OK, our protest is going to be Thursday at the Arclight Cinerama Dome. Address: 6360 Sunset Blvd/Hollywood, CA 90028 1 block west of Vine, Hollywood, 90028. I also drove a block around the site to scope out the best parking. The best is southwest of it off Ivar (opposite Amoeba Records) or De Longpre (1 block south of Sunset). With restaurant validation, it's $2 for two hours, then it goes in 20 minute increments. The others are $6 or $8 flat fee or you need theatre validation.

Also, please tell everyone NOT to park in the Jack 'n the Box restaurant parking lot because they tow cars (I can speak from experience!)

We need people to be there at 5 p.m. sharp because although we're telling the media to come at 6, they often come 1/2 hour early and probably want to get some interviews done with us in time to edit them and put it on the 6:00 news. We will be bringing picket signs. We want to be peaceful and not stop anyone from going into the theatres. We'll just be there to loudly make our points!

So if you're in the area, and you're free, they could use your help bringing attention to this issue. The more bodies, the better. It's a going to be a pretty sad looking protest if there's only five dudes in a circle holding signs.

Also, if you're in New York, they're looking for people to help get The Last Airbender protest movement organized. Racebending.com needs one or two people who can be at the red carpet on Wednesday night to coordinate supporters, as well as perhaps talk to the press (without coming off as crazy). If you're interested in helping out, contact Mike Le at mike@racebending.com.

Posted by Kwaku Marfo Adu-Poku | July 1, 2010 | Comments (1)

Tags: Activism, Asian, Asian American, Commentary, Diversity, Event, Film, Identity, Media, pop culture, Race

Why I love Canada | Happy Canada Day!

By Jordana Mah

The city was alive. It was February 2010, and as I walked down Granville Street after Canada won hockey gold, I had never felt more proud to be a Canadian in my life. Everyone in the city—no the country—was united in the joy of victory. All around me faces were smiling, singing O'Canada, and waving flags.

The languages of the people around me waving Canadian flags were also not all in English: some were in Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog, and countless more. We were all something else, but we were also all firstly, Canadian.

As a 3rd generation Canadian, I am part of a growing demographic in Canada that we at Schema believe are poised to shape the nation. Those who are 1.5 Gen and beyond are in the unique position of having insights and understanding of Canada and also of "the motherland."

We are able to transition between cultures and appreciate the bad and good of both with clear eyes. We can celebrate Chinese New Year, St. Patrick's Day, and Diwali all in one year without a blink of an eye.

This mix of cultures has always been to me, the best part of being Canadian. Even from its beginnings, Canada has been multicultural with its French and English heritage and the acceptance and absorption of other cultures is what makes Canada different from many other countries in the world. It is something we should cherish, protect, and encourage.

Many places may call themselves multicultural, but having traveled to Europe and Asia, and through various American states, I can safely say that there are very few places where one's differences aren't just tolerated, they are celebrated.

We are lucky to live in a place that is so open to truly being a diverse nation.

This year, on Canada's 143rd birthday, we should all take a moment to think about what it is that we love about being Canadian—be it hockey, or the Rockies, Canadian beer, or just the simple ability to be yourself, in all your diverse and varied ways. I love being Canadian, don't you?

Posted by Jordana Mah | July 1, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Canada, Culture

Geographic Apparel Makes Canadiana Cool

By Kwaku Adu-Poku

Since when has Canadiana been even remotely cool? Tameem Barakat and Jay Ng, two of the visionaries behind Geographic Apparel, would beg to differ. This line is single handedly redefining our taste in patriotic apparel. What was once generally considered contrived, tourist fare, is suddenly making a play for everyday-apparel status due to a fresh and modern take on traditional subject matter.

Motivated by the concept that a place shapes identity, Geographic was created to cater to the international traveler and native born alike. Geographic uses bold, simple and iconic graphics on quality garments to celebrate the nation and the city.

The Vancouver based clothing company is a collaborative effort between graphic designers, illustrators, photographers and artists alike. They've complied a quirky yet appropriate lookbook for the Summer 2010 season, featuring 11 unisex pieces that will inject some much needed energy into any summer wardrobe.

The designs are super fresh, reminding you that Canada is really 143 years young, not old. So when you are getting dressed tomorrow put down the cliche shirt with the red maple leaf and simple "CANADA" block lettering, and pick up one of these instead. While you're at it, these shirts might as well make their way into your regular 365-day rotation as well. You'll definitely want to wear them more than once this year.

Posted by Kwaku Marfo Adu-Poku | July 1, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Advertisement, Canadiana, Ethnic Cool, Fashion

34th Powell St. Festival | July 31 & August 1 | Oppenheimer Park

By Joy Inae Kim

The 2010 Powell Street Festival is just around the corner, and this year expect the old charm with some new excitement. This two-day event will take place in the newly renovated Oppenheimer Park at the heart of Japantown.

34th Powell St. Festival
Sat. July 31 -Sun. August 1, 2010, 11:30am-6:30 pm | Oppenheimer Park

400 Block of Powell Street (Main Location)

Cost: Free

This Year's Theme:

This year the theme is "Koen," or Park debut. This term roots from the Japanese name for when a woman brings her child out to the park for the first time to introduce him or her into the community. It is an image of joining into the deep circle of relationship that communities offer. This cultural tradition is one of relationship, and it is one that the Powell Street Festival would like to offer the local community.

Recent History:

This is more than just another summer event. It stands as a reminder of a deep connection made by those of varying backgrounds, and the city space. Even more so this year, with the loss of two Sakura trees in Oppenheimer Park last year, many were left thinking about the value of our history in this city. These trees stood through generations from the first Japanese Canadians as a reminder of the life, beauty and spirit of the Downtown Eastside. This occurrence also reminded the community of the significance of the Japanese Canadian presence in the city.

The inclusive nature of this event has already allowed, and continues to allow, for diverse members of the community to contribute and participate. With several events such as the Tributaries: Reflections of Aiko Suzuki, Spatial Poetics IX, and An Evening of Sake and Savouries (at Hapa Izakaya) having already run in collaboration with this festival, the street festival this weekend will be a fantastic finale.

What You Should Expect:

There is something for everyone in the family: live music, crafts, literary shows, tours, games, sporting demonstrations and more! After all, there are 10 different locations you can join. There is so much to do, you won't know what to do with yourself! Plan ahead to make the most of your time and schedule in that Sumo show or Urasenke Tea Ceremony.

This Years Highlights:

1. Performers and Artists:

• Andrea Nann (contemporary dancer)
• Maiko Bae Yamamoto (theatre artist)
• Kokoro Dance (butoh innovators)
• Shout!WhiteDragon (bluegrass band)
• Katari Taiko with Mario Zetina (musicians)
• Yoko Kikuchi

2. Art

• Award-winning video art from Japan
• World-premiere of Podplay Ground Zero (audio theatre)

Prizes:

Don't assume you will go home empty-handed. You can also buy lottery tickets to win a variety of prizes:

• Two 1-year subscriptions to Ricepaper Magazine
• Two 1-year subscriptions to Geist
• $1000 gift certificate to OK Gift Shop
• Two passes to theVancouver New Music Festival
• Two ROUNDTRIP TICKETS to TOKYO, JAPAN with Japan Airlines!
• and more

If you haven't marked it in your calendar yet, do it quick! Or else you'll have to wait a whole year for another opportunity like this. AND since this event is a debut, why not bring friends and guests to join in? Go out and celebrate being a part of this community!

For more information visit: Powell Street Festival Website
Check out the Schedule: 2010 Full Schedule

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Posted by Joy | July 29, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Asian, Community, Event, Japanese Canadian, Powell Street Festival, Vancouver

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living | July 9-10

By Joy Inae Kim

I think it is pretty safe to say that the desire for a violence-free and stress-free world has been prominent for generations. I could even argue that religion has been, and still is, the root to much conflict within the world. Spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar however, teaches that human values such as love, compassion and enthusiasm are not limited to any one religion or culture; instead, these ideas are the heart of world religions.

Does the idea of religious pluralism sound like a solution, or is it uneasy for some to think about?

On July 9-10, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is coming to Vancouver with Art of Living Foundation to present wisdom on creating a violence-free and stress-free world through meditation and a connection to the spirit through breathing to challenge urban anguish.

He has been named one of the seven most powerful men in India by Forbes Magazine for inspiring a global campaign for compassion and service. His initiatives in meditation and self-development, conflict resolution, disaster relief, business and social responsibility, prisoner rehabilitation programs, women empowerment and with recent emphasis on youth leadership training, together are said to have impacted 25 million people around the world.

For decades he has met with several of the world's major political, religious and business leaders to share the universality of the goals and values of the great spiritual traditions. His teachings on peace and empowerment have been advertised to be accessible to people of all backgrounds.

Founded in 1981, the Art of Living Foundation is one of the world's largest volunteer-based non-profit education and humanitarian organizations. It does not ascribe to any specific religious perspective.

It is undeniable both Sri Sri and the Art of Living Foundation do great work within local and international communities. They continue to focus on both the individual and their community. They also welcome people of all backgrounds, and of all religions.

So is acceptance of a common value of spirituality a form of religious pluralism? Whether yes or no, what is your take on this? Come to this insightful and thought-provoking event to learn more.

An Evening of Wisdom & Meditation With His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Friday, July 9, 7:00- 9:30pm | St.Andrew's Wesley Church

1022 Nelson St. Vancouver

Tickets: $35 - $75

One Day Workshop With His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Saturday, July 10, 9:00am- 9:00pm | Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel

3500 Cessna Drive, Richmond, B.C.

Tickets: $160 (includes dinner and lunch)

For More info check out: SriSri

Posted by Joy | July 5, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Community, Event, Religion

An Evening of Sake and Savouries | July 18, 2010 | Hapa Izakaya Robson

By Joy Inae Kim

Do you feel like contributing to your local Asian Canadian society? How about if it includes mouthwatering delicacies and drinks? Then come out this Sunday to Hapa Izakaya's Robson location as they host, An Evening of Sake & Savouries.

AN EVENING OF SAKE & SAVOURIES

Sunday, July 18th, 6:00pm

Hapa Izakaya (1479 Robson Street, Vancouver)

Tickets: $60 in advance only

Join fellow community members at Hapa Izakaya as they partner up with the Blue Note Wines & Spirits Inc. to fundraise for the 34th Annual Powell Street Festival!

Guests will have the opportunity to taste four different premium sakes and one plum wine. In addition to each round of premium sake, this fantastic Japanese Izakaya Style restaurant will offer a carefully chosen dish to complement it.

After such a delicious evening, we recommend you give yourself a pat on the back for giving back to the community while satisfying your stomach. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, don't hesitate any longer! Hurry before this delicious event is sold out!

For Tickets: email gm@powellstreetfestival.com or call 604.683.8240.

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Posted by Joy | July 15, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Food, Fundrasier, Powell Street Festival

Spatial Poetics IX | Powell Street Festival | July 9, 2010

By Joy Inae Kim

On July 9, 2010, The Powell Street Festival Society (PSFS), will present Spatial Poetics IX. This multimedia showcase invites the community to join together and engage in a night of exploring identity through video, music, and art.

SPATIAL POETICS IX
Friday, July 9, 7:30pm | VIVO Media Arts

1965 Main Street, Vancouver

Tickets at the door: $12, $10 students and seniors

Spatial poetics is coined off the Japanese saying, Koen Debut. The term is defined as the time when a mother's debuts her newborn into the local community. This debut reflects the time, bloodlines, borders, history, myth and legend that have all incubating for this moment. This term epitomizes the heart of this showcase that challenges questions on human experience.

This year, Spatial Poetics IX will explore authenticity, stereotyping, and both the interior and exterior human experience. This will be done through creatively constructed animations, musical performances, video and more. This event will also include the premier of three new bodies of interdisciplinary artworks!

Spatial Poetics IX will feature local talent and Asian-Canadian artists, including:

• Iman Habibi (percussionist)


• Ray Hsu(writer)


• Catrina Longmuir (filmmaker)


• Alison Maddaugh (a landscape architect/artist)


• Asa Mori (animator/artist)


• Michael Mori (opera singer)


• Tetsuro Shigematsu (theatre artist)

Spatial Poetics is an intertwining of the beauty of our local community and art. Mark it on your calenders! You don't want to miss it!

For More Info: Call 604 683 8240 or Powell Street Festival Society

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Posted by Joy | July 5, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Asian Canadian, Community, Powell Street Festival

MIXED: Portraits of Multiracial Kids by Kip Fulbeck | Japanese American National Museum

By Alden E. Habacon

A couple of weeks ago I attended a webinar by futurist David Houle. Now that I have a five-week year old, I found it extremely interesting. But there's more to the future than technology and market trends, there's the future face of Canada and the U.S. as seen in Kip Fullbeck's new book, MIXED: Portraits of Multiracial Kids.

I have admired Kip Fulbeck as an influential artist, academic, filmmaker and speaker since my days in art school. He is well-known for photography, writing and performances that have been focused on the mixed-race hapa experience in America.

If it's not obvious already, I too have been obsessed with the complex identity of our generation, having been raised in a multicultural, multi-racial and transcultural reality. Like Kip, I have been very interested in mixed-race experiences, because I've always believed the idea of "pure race" is a myth. In fact, as a Filipino, I especially know this to be true. Despite the prevalent "mestisso" culture in the Philippines (that privileges Filipinos with mixed-Spanish ancestry) I don't believe there is such a thing as a "pure Filipino."

All Filipinos, at this point, are "mixed."

Vancouver—where I am from now—is known internationally as one of the mixed-race capitals of the world. It boasts as having one of the highest rates of mixed-race marriage in Canada (8.5% of couples are mixed-race), making it a breeding ground (literally) for mixed-race children. It's one of the places where the statement, "The colour of the future is beige" is actually noticeable on the street, in high schools and in day cares.

If beige and other blends really is the future (considering that 14.6 percent of Americans married someone of a different race or from a different ethnic group in 2008), then MIXED: Portraits of Multiracial Kids, is more than just a heart-warming collection of portraits. It makes Kip a futurist, not about technological or business trends, but about a future identity.

To September 26th, the Japanese American National Museum is showcasing an exhibit. More info at janm.org.

Kip Fullbeck speaks about his book on MSN

Posted by Alden | July 29, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Asian American, Books, Identity, Mixed-Race

Infographic of the Day: Japan, the Strange Country | Design & Innovation | Fast Company

By Midya Tsoy

What comes to mind when you think of Japan? For many it's sushi or taiko drumming, but we all know Japan is far more complex than that. To mixed reviews, Kenichi Tanaka, a Japanese animation student, attempted to capture all the social quirks of Japanese life in a video called Japan: The Strange Country - first brought to our attention on fastcompany.com.

For Tanaka's graduate thesis, he intended to show how the Japanese are perceived by non-Japanese. He presents Japanese culture in eight different categories, such as Japan's modernization and the impact of the economy on Japanese people - all with a focus on their "strange" ways of living, perhaps as a kind of commentary on what is normalized in Japanese society.

Photo credit: Fubiz.net

Hanako Okana, a Japanese international student at UBC found the video to be precise:

"...Everything is so true! I'm glad that [Japanese] people have started realizing some of the stuff we do in Japan are strange."

This video was also slammed with harsh criticism, as many international students from Japan found it offensive. There was so much criticism online over the video's "racism," that Tanaka has since taken the English version offline.

One international student commented:

"In a Japanese website [Tanaka] said he emphasized what is 'strange' about Japanese society from the eyes of the foreigners, but my family, friends and I would also question some of the issues raised in the video, for example [examples of] dehumanization, Westernization at the revolving sushi restaurant, extreme social pressure to go on a diet and an attachment to brand goods among young women.

Some of the portrayals of Japanese people and culture were stereotypical, and it did not address the fact that Japan was both the victim and the assailant in war years.

But, I especially liked how he did a comparative analysis of the statistics surrounding each issue and provided a perspective to see domestic issues in Japan in relation to pressing global issues.

In a nutshell I have mixed feelings about this video, but I agree with his concerns and criticisms for some of the strange trends in ever modernizing Japanese society. This neat video is definitely something to share with others who have been to Japan!"

This video gives a quick and clear visualization for viewers that makes some of Japan's most complex issues simple and understandable. Tanaka was able to condense a mouthful of information into a 12-minute video, but perhaps he could have acknowledged that he also runs the risk of over-generalization. It's good to keep in mind that the areas discussed in the video were generalized. It never says explicitly that everyone is like that.

It's hard for me to agree that this video is racist. The video doesn't display hatred or intolerance of Japanese. I felt it was more of a self-criticism, or a self-reflection, as opposed to being racist. Self-criticism of any culture is generally hard to take. It must have taken much courage for Tanaka to make and put this video online where it would be exposed to all eyes.

As a communications tool, I thought this video was really effective. As social commentary, somewhat controversial. If anything, I am even more interested in going to Japan now.

Posted by Alden | July 6, 2010 | Comments (1)

Tags: Commentary, Design, Japan, Media, Race

SNOW Magazine | Tokyo, Japan

By Midya Tsoy

The other day while browsing online, I discovered a unique online magazine called SNOW Magazine. It was a very worthwhile accident as this Tokyo-based publication features cool and fascinating articles covering the latest fads in art, music, technology, food, film, fashion, interior design, travel, comics, crafts, and much more!

In a true megalopolis like Tokyo, there is always something exciting and new going on. Snow Magazine truly shows all of Tokyo's colours, bringing out all of its glory - even the layout is modern, yet still has a hint of the traditional Japanese feeling to it. It's the perfect blend of the old and the new, which is what makes it all the more interesting. Even though Japan is a highly modernized country, it still maintains a high level of tradition.

Snow Magazine's founder, writer and editor, Jean Snow, lives and breathes design, pop culture, and gaming in Tokyo - sustained by an unhealthy addiction to magazines and frequent visits to his favorites cafes. He also serves as editor-at-large at Neojaponisme , a web journal covering social and cultural aspects of Japan. Along with spinning music as a DJ at a series of events at Cafe Pause and contributing to Arcade Mania, it's no wonder he created such an intriguing magazine. Jean Snow is a man dedicated to what he loves to do.

Snow Magazine is similar to Schema in the sense that it's a collection of personalities. I see Schema bringing out all the diversity, or "ethnic cool" people and things that surround us, while SNOW Magazine is dedicated to the things that are being introduced and developed within Japan's "cultural landscape." Both publications are definitely worth checking out!

Posted by Alden | July 9, 2010 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Culture, Design, Film, Food, Japan, Magazines, Music, Pop Culture, Technology

This page contains all entries posted to Schema Magazine's Blog, "Daily Dose" in July 2010. They are listed from oldest to newest.

June 2010 is the previous archive. | August 2010 is the next archive.

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