They Call Us Bruce 182: They Call Us The Black Widow

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 champion pool player Jeanette Lee, subject of the ESPN documentary 30 For 30: Jeanette Lee VS., and director Ursula Liang. They discuss the career and legacy of the "Black Widow" in professional billiards and beyond, overcoming pain and pressure from all sides when life knocks you down, and approaching the pool table with confidence, swagger, and your whole, authentic, black-clad self.

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 16: Ursula Liang

Hello, podcast listeners! We're back. It's been a looooong hiatus, but we're finally back with a long-delayed new episode of Sound and Fury: The Angry Asian Podcast. Episode 16 features journalist/filmmaker Ursula Liang, director of the sports documentary 9-Man, which is currently screening on the festival circuit.

Thanks to all the folks who have told me they're fans of the podcast. It's a struggle to get these out on a regular basis, but we're trying our best! To catch up on previous episodes, check out the archive. To stay up-to-date with future episodes as soon as they drop, be sure to subscribe. You can also find Sound and Fury on services like iTunes and Stitcher, where you can rate and review the show.

But without further ado, check out my conversation with Ursula Liang...

'9-Man': A Streetball Battle in the Heart of Chinatown

Ursula Liang's feature documentary is an inside look at a unique Chinese American sport.



I recently had the chance to re-watch the 9-Man, and I'm compelled to implore you to check out this film if you get the chance. The independent feature documentary, directed by Ursula Liang, is an awesome inside look at a gritty Chinese American streetball game that's been played in Chinatowns since 1930s.

Ursula examines the history of the game and its significance for the changing Chinatown community, following a diverse cast of athletes who work hard, play hard, and fight to keep the legacy of the sport alive. The film is insightful, thrilling, and well worth catching during its current film festival run.

Here's the trailer:

Angry Reader of the Week: Ursula Liang

All right. Let's do this. Allow me to introduce you to 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 Ursula Liang.

fund this: 9-man

I recently heard about this independent feature documentary about the unique Chinese American streetball subculture around the sport of "9-man." If you've never heard of it, you probably didn't grow up hanging around Chinatown.

Directed by Ursula Liang, this film gives you a rarely seen glimpse of the 9-man community. The project is currently trying to raise some production funds with a Kickstarter campaign. Here's the video with the pitch: