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 podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) 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.
In this episode, we welcome our old friends Sujata Day (Definition Please, Heroes' Feast) and Dino-Ray Ramos (DIASPORA) to talk about the action revenge thriller Monkey Man, written/directed by and starring Dev Patel. We discuss this new take on storytelling from the South Asian diaspora, this blessed era of the Dev Patel Glow-Up, some of the political, religious and cultural controversy surrounding the movie, and of course, the badass action sequences (both borrowed and new) -- including the moment that had everybody in the movie screaming. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Monkey Man.
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 podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) 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.
In this episode, we welcome Sujata Day, who wrote, directed, produced and starred in the new film Definition Please. She talks about the failed spelling bee word that haunts her, taking the plunge (and calling all her friends) to make her first feature, and revealing a certain co-star's... assets.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Racist Cyclist Hurls Slurs at Asian Man For Honking
Look! Another guy caught on video doing racist shit! This incident, filmed in Brooklyn, was sparked when an Asian motorist, Zane Tang, honked at a cyclist because he was swerving in the middle of the road. The guy on the bike responded by flipping him off, brake checking and hitting Tang's vehicle, then getting into a verbal altercation when Tang got out of the car. The guy launched into a racist and homophobic tirade, telling Tang, "You yellow bitches shouldn't be here, this is my country, I was born here," and "You guys are the weakest race on the planet," among other things. Tang posted the video to Facebook, where it unsurprisingly went viral. [UPDATE: The cyclist has been identified as Harry Tzianakis, who apparently has a history of anti-Asian harassment in the area.] Yes, internet. You know what to do.
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All 50 States Have Issued Warnings About Mysterious Packages of Seeds
All 50 states have now issued warnings about mysterious, unsolicited packages of seeds that people across the nation have received in the mail in recent weeks. The packages appear to be coming from China, which has prompted fears that the seeds could be some sort of invasive plant species. And that's how those sneaky bastards get us! A literal attack on American soil! Actually, the leading theory is that the seeds are part of a "brushing scam" -- when third-party sellers send people items they didn't order and write glowing product reviews on their behalf. It's a thing. I don't know, they look like sunflower seeds.
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NAVARRO: "The China virus. The CCP virus."@JohnBerman: "You know what? We let you say that once, Peter. Please don't say that again on this show."
CNN Cuts Off Trump Adviser for Saying "China Virus"
CNN host John Berman shut down White House economic adviser Peter Navarro for repeatedly referring to COVID-10 as the "China virus" during an interview on Wednesday morning -- noting that Asian Americans have told the network they have become "the source of crimes" amid the pandemic.
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Adaptation of 'Number One Chinese Restaurant in the Works
Kerry Washington's Simpson Street Productions is developing an adaptation of Number One Chinese Restaurant, based on Lillian Li's novel of the same name. Li and writer/director Jessica Yu are attached to work on the series. The ensemble drama follows a Chinese family's obsession over legacy, power and money. The restaurant in question is inhabited by waiters and kitchen staff who have been fighting, loving, and aging within its walls for decades. When disaster strikes, this working family's controlled chaos is set loose, forcing each character to confront the conflicts that fast-paced restaurant life has kept at bay.
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Definition Please
Check out the trailer for Definition Please, the feature directorial debut of Sujata Day, who also wrote, produced and stars in the film. It's been 15 years since Monica Chowdry won the national Spelling Bee, and life hasn't quite panned out as expected for the young champion. When her estranged older brother returns home to help care for their sick mother, the siblings must find a way to reconcile in this late bloomer coming-of-age family dramedy. Definition Please will have its virtual world premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival in August.
"My entire life is a series of decisions where I always chose art over money."
Hey, everybody! You know what's up. It is time again to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Sujata Day.
Leena Pendharkar's film follows a couple faced with some tough decisions after their 20 week scan.
Here's an upcoming indie feature film project that would use your crowdfunding support... 20 Weeks is a romantic drama about love, science and how prenatal and genetic testing impact every day people.
Based on writer/director Leena Pendharkar's own experiences, the film centers on a couple who must decide on how to move forward when their baby is diagnosed with a serious health condition in utero. The cast includes Anna Margaret Hollyman, Amir Arison, Sujata Day and Michelle Krusiec.
20 Weeks is currently raising production funds through Indiegogo. Here's a video with more details:
