why am I doing this? limited theatrical run

For those of you in Southern California, writer/director Tom Huang's indie feature Why Am I Doing This? opens today for a limited engagement through May 20 at Laemmle's Music Hall 3 Theater in Beverly Hills.

The film is described to me as a drama/comedy about two buddies -- one Asian American and one African American -- struggling to carve out careers in Hollywood but not quite making it, while dealing with relationships, crazy family and paying rent. Take a look at the trailer:



I haven't had the chance to watch it yet, but it stars a lot of people I know and love, including Lynn Chen, Sheetal Sheth, Tamlyn Tomita, Clyde Kusatsu, Dion Basco, Gerry Bednob, Keone Young, Garrett Wang, James Kyson Lee, and Camille Mana as well as Anthony Montgomery, Emma Caulfield and Valarie Pettiford.

I'm told that the film deals with a lot of the issues discussed on this blog regarding the hurdles Asian Americans face in the media/entertainment industry. This weekend, there will also be a special discussion about the state of Asian Americans in Hollywood following the 2:45pm screening with stars Lynn Chen, Clyde Kusatsu, Dion Basco and Camille Mana:

"WHY AM I DOING THIS?" special screening / panel discussion

Sunday, May 16, 2010
2:45pm - 5:00pm

Laemmle's Music Hall 3 Theater
9036 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA

Come out and see a special CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) / Visual Communications screening and Q&A with the actors of the hilarious and insightful feature film, “Why Am I Doing This?”, a comedy-drama about a couple of guys struggling in Hollywood as minority performers while juggling relationships, crazy family and making rent.

Afterwards, there will be Q&A about the film and Asian-Americans in Hollywood with stars Lynn Chen, Clyde Kusatsu, Dion Basco, Camille Mana and filmmaker Tom Huang (as well as other possible guests).

The special screening is on Sunday, May 16th at 2:45pm, Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 Theater, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Visual Communications members get a special price of $9 at the door, just mention you are a member!

The event is co-sponsored by CAPE and Visual Communications. Even if you can't make it to Sunday's event, you can still catch the film at any of its screenings through the 20th. The film will also be released on DVD in July. For more information about Why Am I Doing This?, visit the film's website here.