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 filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura to talk about Third Act, his acclaimed documentary about his father, pioneering filmmaker Robert A. Nakamura, aka "The Godfather of Asian American Media." Tad talks about growing up in the shadow of his revered artist/activist parents, and the pressure that evolved into pride and partnership; making the movie he always knew that he had to make, and the challenges of putting himself front and center in the film; and how the camera -- and the ticking clock -- became the ultimate intermediary for father and son. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Third Act.
Generations call Robert A. Nakamura the godfather of Asian American film. Tadashi Nakamura calls him Dad. In his documentary Third Act, Tad turns the camera on his father as they confront art, activism, and aging. From World War II incarceration to cultural awakening and a Parkinson's diagnosis, the film is a tender portrait of legacy, inherited trauma, and the final chapter of a shared creative life. Third Act premieres May 25 on PBS' Independent Lens (check local listings) and will be available to stream on pbs.org.
Rapper, actor, and writer Jonnie Park, aka Dumbfoundead, joins Ronny Chieng on The Daily Show to discuss his new memoir SPIT: A Life in Battles. They talk about getting his start in battle rapping at 14 years old in Los Angeles, evolving from freestyle battles to prepared matchups, developing a thick skin as the only Asian in the rap battle arena, dabbling in other mediums like acting in Nemesis and writing for season 2 of Beef, and chronicling his story through the different family, immigration, and career battles he’s faced.
Deli Boys returns! In season two of the acclaimed crime comedy series, the Dars are drowning in dirty cash and Philly's sketchiest crooks are circling. Enter Max Sugar: casino king, money launderer, and Lucky's new crush who turns laundering into a chaotic situationship. Raj plots revenge on Ahmad, Mir tries to expand DarCo without blowing it up, and Philly D.A. Andrew Chadwater hopes one big bust will make him mayor. Season two, starring Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, and Poorna Jagannathan, premieres May 28 on Hulu.
Anil Kochhar, a North Carolina State University donor, gave graduates of the school's Wilson College of Textiles a lot more than just words of wisdom when he delivered their keynote commencement address earlier this month. The entrepreneur also announced that he would pay off any student loans taken out by the college's graduates during their senior year. "I hope that all of you leave... today not only with a degree but with greater freedom to pursue your goals, take risks and build the lives that you've worked so hard to achieve," Kochhar said, prompting loud cheers, applause and a standing ovation from the class of 2026.
A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle of Asians in America was one of the first recognized musical albums expressing Asian American identity. The 1973 work -- preserved at the Smithsonian Institution -- combines elements of folk, jazz and blues. It's often considered a blend of political statements within a collective art project. Sojin Kim, curator of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, details the album's legacy and place in American history for WBUR.
Remember the lives lost and the lives forever changed.
Today, December 7, marks the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hours following the attack, the FBI began rounding up and detaining leaders in the Japanese American community from their homes without due process of law. Filmmaker Tad Nakamura's grandfather was one of those taken.
This one-minute video for the Nikkei Democracy Project, made with documentary footage from Something Strong Within (by Tad's parents, Bob Nakamura and Karen Ishizuka), is not only a reminder of lives lost in the attack, but the lives forever changed by fear and bigotry.
Friday, August 5 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.
Los Angeles! Mark your calendars. You do not want to miss the upcoming LA premiere of Mele Murals, the latest documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Tad Nakamura. Mele Murals is a story about the transformative power of modern graffiti art and ancient Hawaiian culture for a new generation of Native Hawaiians.
Set against the resurgence of Hawaiian language and culture of the past twenty years, Mele Murals follows two former illegal graffiti writers turned community artists -- Estria Miyashiro (aka Estria) and John Hina (aka Prime) -- and their quest to connect people and place through mural making. The film shows how public art rooted in underground graffiti unexpectedly but powerfully fuses with Native Hawaiian traditions and contemporary life to impact local youth, the rural community of Waimea, and most of all the artists.
The Los Angeles premiere will include a screening of the film and Q&A with the filmmaker and featured artists Estria and Prime. It's happening Friday, August 5 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.
Help fund the latest documentary from Tad Nakamura.
Here's a great film project that would use your support... There are just a few hours left to pitch in to Mele Murals, the latest documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Tad Nakamura. Mele Murals is a story that navigates the complexities of Native Hawaiian cultural identity through urban street art.
Set against the resurgence of Hawaiian language and culture of the past twenty years, Mele Murals follows two former illegal graffiti writers turned community artists -- Estria Miyashiro (aka Estria) and John Hina (aka Prime) -- and their quest to connect people and place through mural making. The film shows how public art rooted in underground graffiti unexpectedly but powerfully fuses with Native Hawaiian traditions and contemporary life to impact local youth, the rural community of Waimea, and most of all the artists.
Jake Shimabukuro in attendance! Sunday, December 21 at the Japanese American National Museum
For those of you in Los Angeles, don't miss evening of ukulele awesomeness.
The Japanese American National Museum, First Pond Entertainment, Visual Communications and Angry Asian Man present a special screening of Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings, Tad Nakamura's award-winning documentary on international ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro. The screening will be followed by a discussion and a special holiday performance by Jake himself!
It's happening Sunday, December 21 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are some more details:
Video tribute edited by Tad Nakamura, with music by Blue Scholars
This awesome video, dedicated to late activist and educator Yuri Kochiyama, was made for her recent memorial services held in Oakland, Los Angeles and New York City. Edited by Tad Nakamura, and featuring the music of the Blue Scholars, it's a moving, powerful tribute to life and legacy. Check it out:
Tad Nakamura's ukulele documentary edges out 12 Years a Slave and Fruitvale Station
A huge congratulations to our friend Tad Nakamura, director of the feature documentary Jake Shimaubukuro: Life on Four Strings, which won the Audience Award last week at The Gotham Independent Film Awards. This was no small feat, considering that Tad's humble doc about internationally renown ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro was up against huge critical darlings like 12 Years a Slave and Fruitvale Station. But thanks to some hustle and online support, Life on Four Strings took home the trophy.
Beautifully shot, and mixing exhilarating performance footage with personal interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the film tells the inspirational, heartfelt story of a musical sensation. A musical sensation who happens to totally shred on the ukulele. Award-winning filmmaker Tad Nakamura traces Shimabukuro's incredible virtuoso career, from his humble island beginnings to international superstardom.
Make plans, set your DVRs and take note that the the PBS national broadcast premiere of Life on Four Strings, a documentary portrait of ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, is going down this Friday, May 10 at 9:00pm (check your local listings). Three years in the making, award-winning filmmaker Tad Nakamura tells the heartfelt story of a musical sensation whose instrument of choice happens to be the ukulele. And he totally shreds. Take a look at the trailer:
