Trump is That Kid Who Kicks the Ball Over the Fence When a Call Doesn't Go His Way

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.


Trump Tells Asian American Reporter to "Ask China" About Deaths
Donald Trump abruptly ended his Monday press conference after a contentious exchange in which he asked an Asian American journalist to "ask China" about her question and then refused to take a query from another White House reporter. CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang asked Trump why he sees coronavirus testing as a global competition when more than 80,000 Americans have died. "Maybe that's a question you should ask China," Trump told Jiang. "Don't ask me. Ask China that question, OK?" And that was the beginning of the end of the press conference.

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Violence Against Asian Americans Is on the Rise -- But It's Part of a Long History
If you somehow think the rise of anti-Asian sentiment amidst COVID-19 is something new, take short and long look back at the history of Asians in America -- something you can see in the epic new five-hour documentary series Asian Americans, which premieres on PBS this week. All five parts are available for viewing in their entirety on pbs.org.

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Kevin Kwan's New Book is His Most Decadent Yet
How do you follow up one of the most successful trilogies of the 21st century? For Kevin Kwan, whose Crazy Rich Asians books have sold millions of copies and spawned a $200-million-plus movie, the answer rested in his greatest inspiration: A Room With a View. His new novel, Sex and Vanity, plays like a straight tribute to the E.M. Forster novel -- but in this version, the story moves between Capri and New York, tackling the nuances of Asian American identity in the process.

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API Heritage Jam
DJs Phatrick and O-Dub are teaming up for a livestream mix highlighting Asian and Asian American artists. Wednesday, May 13 at 4pm Pacific. Follow along on Instagram Live at either @djphatrick or @soulsides.

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CAAMFest Online: Heritage at Home
The Center for Asian American Media presents their reimagined festival experience, CAAMFest Online: Heritage at Home from May 13-22. The online festival will provide a platform to gather virtually in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The program features over 20 digital events, ranging from online film screenings to interactive panels, watch parties, and house parties with live performances, all free of charge. Learn more and reserve your tickets here. Join the conversation using #CAAMFestOnline and #HeritageAtHome.

CAAMFest Presents White Rabbit

Starring and co-written by Vivian Bang. Friday, May 11 at AMC Kabuki 8.



San Francisco film fans, this one's for you... Fresh from its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the wonderfully weird and delightful indie comedy White Rabbit is screening at CAAMFest. Co-written and starring Vivian Bang, and directed by Daryl Wein, the film follows Sophia, a Korean American performance artist trying find her voice amidst heartbreak and professional road bumps in modern Los Angeles.

It's screening Friday, May 11 at the AMC Kabuki 8 in Japantown. Here are some more details:

CAAMFest Presents Disoriented Comedy

Saturday, May 12 at New People Cinema



San Franciscooooooo. Are you ready for some laughs? The funny folks of Disoriented Comedy -- "the first-ever (mostly) female Asian American standup comedy tour" -- has joined forces with CAAMFest. Join our pals Jenny Yang, D'Lo, and Atsuko Okatsuka for an evening of kickass comedy. It's happening Saturday, May 12 at New People Cinema in Japantown.

Here are some more details about the show:

Win tickets to CAAMFest 2017

March 9-19 in San Francisco and Oakland



Bay Area film fans! This one's for you. The Center for Asian American Media presents CAAMFest 2017, the nation's premiere event showcasing and celebrating bold and vibrant Asian American stories and storytellers. The 11-day festival, celebrating its 35th year, runs March 9-19 in San Francisco and Oakland.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, March 9 with the Opening Night Gala screening of Lena Khan's comedy The Tiger Hunter, starring Danny Pudi as an ambitious young man who leaves his small Indian village in pursuit of the American dream. Anybody want to go? I'm giving away some free tickets. Scroll down for details.

But first, here's the CAAMFest 2017 trailer:

Highs, lows and more highs in the stoner comedy 'Grass'

Screens Friday, March 11 at CAAMFest 2016 in San Francisco.



The arthouse stoner comedy Grass, written directed by Tanuj Chopra, makes its world premiere this week at CAAMFest 2016. Starring Pia Shah and Emily C. Chang, it's described as "an epic adventure of merriment, revelation and the quest for pizza spanning a single day in the park." And yes, there is weed.

'Breathin': The Eddie Zheng Story' is a portrait of redemption

Screens Friday, March 11 at CAAMFest 2016.



A man journeys to freedom, rehabilitation and redemption in the feature documentary Breathin': The Eddy Zheng Story which makes its world premiere this week at CAAMFest 2016. Directed by Ben Wang, Breathin' is an intimate, resilient portrait of activist Eddie Zheng and his decades-long struggle for new life.

See you at CAAMFest 2016

A celebration of film, music, food and digital media, March 10-20



Bay Area film fans, it's on. CAAMFest 2016 is going down March 10-20 in San Francisco and Oakland. Presented by the Center for Asian American Media, CAAMFest is an 11-day celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world's most innovative Asian and Asian American artists.

This year, the Festival adds new venues in the Mission district. In addition to the historic Castro Theatre, New People Cinema in Japantown and the New Parkway Theater in Oakland, CAAMFest adds the venerable 106-year-ld Roxie Theater and the newly minted Alamo Drafthouse to its slate of venues.

CAAMFest showcases the work of new Asian and Asian American artists and pays tribute to the pioneers who have paved the way for Asian Americans in media and entertainment. The festival kicks of Thursday, March 9 with the Opening Night screening of the feature documentary Tyrus, celebrating the life and career of pioneering Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong.

Here's the CAAMFest 2016 trailer:

Win tickets to CAAMFest 2016

See you at the Opening Night Gala Screening of 'Tyrus' on March 10.



Bay Area! This one's for you. The Center for Asian American Media presents CAAMFest 2016, an 11-day celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world's most innovative Asian and Asian American artists, running March 10-20 in San Francisco and Oakland.

The festivities kick off next Thursday with the Opening Night Gala screening of Tyrus, a documentary portrait about the art, life, and enduring impact of 105 year­-old pioneering Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong. Anybody want to go? I'm giving away some free tickets. Scroll down for details.

First, here's the CAAMFest 2016 trailer:

CAAMFest 2016 Launch Party

Thursday, February 11 at Mercer SF



San Francisco! Are you ready to get hyped for CAAMFest 2016? Then join CAAM for the official CAAMFest 2016 Launch Party. Drink, dance and mingle with community folks, and be among the first to get your hands on the film festival guide. It's happening Thursday, February 11 at Mercer SF.

Here are some more details about the party:

CAAMFest San Jose Artist Spotlight: Greg Pak

A conversation with the acclaimed comic book writer and filmmaker, September 20 at Camera 3



If you're in the Bay Area, head out to the South Bay and don't miss your chance to hang out and hear from award-winning comic book writer and filmmaker Greg Pak. CAAMFest San Jose invites you to a special conversation with Greg on his remarkable work and career, moderated by acclaimed writer and cartoonist Gene Luen Yang. It's happening Sunday, September 20 at Camera 3 in San Jose.

Here are some more details about the event:

Giveaway: Win tickets to CAAMFest San Jose 2015

See you at the Opening Night screening of 'Fresh Off The Boat' Season Two Premiere.



San Jose film lovers! This one's for you. CAAMFest San Jose is happening next week, September 17-20. CAAM's annual South Bay showcase celebrates its thirteenth year, featuring four days of highly anticipated film premieres, conversations with celebrated media makers and lively parties.

Festival programming gets going on Friday, September 18 at Camera 3 with a special screening of the Fresh Off The Boat season two premiere, followed by the Opening Night Party at the San Jose Museum of Art. This blog is a proud media sponsor of CAAMFest San Jose and the Opening Night Film.

So... who wants to go? I'm giving away free tickets to the Opening Night festivities. Scroll down for details...

Here are some more details about the evening:

CAAMFest San Jose, September 17-20

See you at CAAM's annual South Bay showcase of sneak peeks and film premieres.



San Jose film fans! The Center for Asian American Media announces the return of CAAMFest San Jose, its annual South Bay showcase of exclusive sneak peeks and film premieres, conversations with celebrated media makers and lively parties. It's happening September 17-20 at Camera 3 Cinemas.

CAAMFest San Jose officially opens on Friday, September 18 with a special presentation welcoming the start of Season Two of the ABC hit comedy Fresh Off The Boat, with the show's Executive Producer Melvin Mar in attendance. Festival programming will continue with screenings and other events through the weekend.

Here's a rundown of some of the CAAMFest San Jose program highlights:

Giveaway: Win tickets to CAAMFest 2015!

I'm giving away three pairs of tickets to the Opening Night Gala presentation of 'Seoul Searching.'



Bay Area! CAAMFest 2015 kicks off next week with an awesome lineup of film screenings and showcase events. It's one of my favorite events of the year, and I'll be headed to the festival to check out some of the programming, see old friends, and just be part of the CAAM community. So... who else wants to go?

I'm giving away three pairs of passes to CAAMFest's Opening Night Gala presentation of Benson Lee's coming-of-age comedy Seoul Searching, happening Thursday, March 12, 6:30pm at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Then head over to the Asian Art Museum for the afterparty. Scroll down for details...

Here's some more information about the movie:

CAAM presents CAAMFest 2015

March 12-22 in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland



Bay Area film lovers! It's getting about time for one of my favorite events of the year. CAAMFest, formerly the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, returns with another exciting celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world's most innovative Asian and Asian American artists.

CAAMFest 2015 will showcase the work of new Asian and Asian American artists, as well as pay tribute to the pioneers who have paved the way for Asian Americans in media and entertainment. It's all going down March 12-22 in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. This kick off Thursday, March 12 with Opening Night Gala presentation of writer/director Benson Lee's coming-of-age comedy Seoul Searching.

Here's a rundown of some of CAAMFest's programming highlights:

Awesome Asian Bad Guys at CAAMFest San Jose!

Saturday, September 6 at Camera 3 Cinemas



All right, San Jose. It's your turn. The Awesome Asian Bad Guys are coming to get you! National Film Society's action comedy webseries makes its next stop in the South Bay as part of CAAMFest San Jose 2014. It screens Saturday, September 6 at Camera 3 Cinemas in San Jose.

In Awesome Asian Bad Guys, Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino direct and star as down-and-out filmmakers who must recruit an unlikely team of Asian American heroes -- a motley crew that includes Al Leong, Yuji Okumoto, Tamlyn Tomita, George Cheung and Randall Park -- to take down a ruthless crime lord. The series is an homage to your favorite nameless Asian movie character actors of the 1980s and 90s.

Come join in the fun. Here are some details about the screening:

CAAMFest San Jose, September 4-7

Presented by the Center For Asian American Media



Bay Area! South Bay film fans, specifically. This one's for you. The Center for Asian American Media proudly presents the return of CAAMFest San Jose, a four-day festival of film premieres, conversations with media makers and parties. It's happening September 4-7 at Camera 3 Cinema in downtown San Jose.

CAAMFest San Jose kicks off with a special screening of Rea Tajiri's Yuri Kochiyama: Passion For Justice, commemorating the life and legacy of Yuri Kochiyama. Screenings and events, including the Opening Night screening of Geeta and Ravi Patel's Meet the Patels, continue throughout the rest of the weekend.

Here this year's CAAMFest San Jose PSA:

CAAMFest 2014 Presents Awesome Asian Bad Guys

Catch the world premiere of National Film Society's action comedy webseries



It's time. If you're in the Bay Area, you're invited to the world premiere of the action comedy web series Awesome Asian Bad Guy, presented as part of CAAMFest 2014. It screen Thursday, March 20 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco, and Friday, March 21 at the Oakland Museum of California.

Follow National Film Society -- our friends Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco -- as they are tasked with recruiting a team of washed-up Asian action movie villains to take down a notorious crime lord. Starring Tamlyn Tomita, Yuji Okumoto, Al Leong, Randall Park, Aaron Takahashi, Dante Basco and George Cheung, it's a fun romp full of wacky gags and pop culture nostalgia.

Here are some more details:

CAAMFest 2014 Presents Directions in Sound, March 20 & 22

Discover the hip-hop and rock beats from Korea, Vietnam and the Bay Area



Bay Area, time to get down to some kickass sounds... CAAMFest 2014 presents the festival's annual music showcase Directions in Sound. Discover the hip-hop and rock beats from Korea, Vietnam and the Bay.

This year features two events, a Korean Showcase with Love X Stereo, Glen Check and Rock N' Roll Radio, and Here Comes Treble, with DJ Roza, DJ ThatGirl, DJ Umami, Cynthia Lin and the Blue Moon All-Stars, Rocky Rivera and the U.S. debut Vietnam's Queen of Hip Hop, Suboi.

Here are some more details about the shows:

CAAMFest 2014, March 13-23

Presented by the Center for Asian American Media


Bay Area film fans, if you haven't already heard, CAAMFest 2014 is going down next week, March 13-23. Presented by the Center for Asian American Media, and now in its 32nd year, the festival is an 11-day celebration of Asian and Asian American storytelling in film, and new ventures in music and food.

I got to a lot of film festivals, and CAAMFest is one of my favorites. I have personal roots with this festival, and I try to attend every year. Going to CAAMFest is like coming home. Once again, they've put together a top-notch program. CAAMFest 2014 celebrates contributions of Asians and Asian Americans in media by paying tribute to significant benchmarks in history and by showcasing the trailblazers of the 2st century.

The festivities kick off on Thursday, March 13 with the Opening Night screening of Ham Tran's How To Fight in Six Inch Heels. Check out the rockin' festival trailer:

CAAMFest 2014 Launch Party, February 13

Celebrate the official kick off of CAAMFest 2014 at 111 Minna Gallery



Heads up, San Francisco! CAAMFest doesn't start for another month or so, but you might as well start getting ready. To get you sufficiently hyped, they're kicking things off this week with the CAAMFest 2014 Launch Party. Get your hands on the official program guide, hot off the press. It's happening Thursday, February 13 at 111 Minna Gallery. Here are some more details: