They Call Us Bruce - Episode 6: They Call Us Asian American Cinema

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our recently launched podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

This week, on the eve of the 33rd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, we discuss the state of independent Asian American cinema, the significance of films like Better Luck Tomorrow, and why it's still so hard for Asian American films to break through.

Happy ten-year anniversary, Better Luck Tomorrow

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the theatrical release of Better Luck Tomorrow, an independent film that arguably changed the direction of contemporary Asian American cinema. With last week's passing of venerated film critic Roger Ebert, I noted his unique, influential moment in the legacy of the film.

Ten years later, I look back and marvel and at what Better Luck Tomorrow meant for me and this blog, and I'm thankful. The film itself is a shock to the system, offering a dark, shocking portrait of Asian American youth. Director Justin Lin's story of making the film is an inspiring, a great example of what can happen when you stop waiting for someone else to tell a story, and get off your ass to make it happen yourself.

The theatrical release of the Better Luck Tomorrow is an awesome example of how the indie film-appreciating community rallied around the film to get butts in those seats. It was early on in the life of this blog, and it showed me a lot about the power of the online voice. And best of all, I made some great relationships with folks who were similarly passionate about Better Luck Tomorrow -- folks that I'm still friends with to this day.

If you haven't seen Better Luck Tomorrow, well, you should. (Dude, the DVD is only $6.49 right now on Amazon.) I shared this last week, but I figured I'd re-post Evan Leong's documentary BLT: Genesis, a behind-the-scenes look at the scrappy journey of making the film. Take a look:

Roger Ebert, Champion of Asian American Cinema

Roger Ebert, probably the most influential film critic ever, died today after battling cancer. A giant who changed the face of movie criticism, he is perhaps best remembered to a generation as co-host of TV's Siskel and Ebert at the Movies with fellow Chicago movie critic Gene Siskel, with whom he famously coined the phrase "two thumbs up." He was 70: Roger Ebert Remembered: A Critic Who Changed The Game.

He was also a frequent champion of Asian American independent cinema. Or rather, he was a passionate advocate of good storytelling from oft-overlooked and marginalized filmmakers, regardless of race and background. I grew up watching Siskel and Ebert, and Roger Ebert's writing was a profound inspiration for my life's pursuits, but there is one moment that forever cemented my respect for Mr. Ebert: his outspoken defense of a film during a heated post-screening Q & A at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.

The movie: Justin Lin's Better Luck Tomorrow. The little indie film that could.

Man convicted in "Honor Roll Murder" granted parole

In Southern California, a man convicted in connection with the notorious 1992 "Honor Roll Murder" was recently granted parole: Man paroled in 1992 honors-student murder.

Kirn Young Kim was sixteen when he and four other teens conspired and carried out a plot to kill 17-year-old Stuart Tay in Buena Park, California. Kim served as lookout during the brutal New Year's Eve beating, and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

According to the parole board, Kim, now 36, was a model prisoner and had shown that he took responsibility for his role in the murder: