38 at the Garden: a new film about how Jeremy Lin shattered stereotypes and inspired a generation

I’ve loved basketball my whole life. Growing up in Scarborough, a court and pickup game was never far away, and I’d often carry a ball with me just in case. In my teenage years, I’d go to school early, put on my Sony walkman (youths, starting googling) and shoot for 2-3 hours by myself - every morning, without fail. Looking back, it was my meditation, my happy place.

I was a pretty good player - quick first step, could finish at the rim, lefty advantage, great cardio, and a decent mid range shot. I also developed enough confidence that I would rarely see a game being played where I felt I couldn’t at least be a decent role player. My friend Darnel and I would go challenge people on random public courts and we won our fair share.

Mark Your CalendarGuest UserApril 28, 2022Asian Representation, SportsComment

Everything Everywhere All At Once is A Must Watch!

This long preamble is my way to wrap my brain around my stunned reaction after seeing EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. In my perfect world, all I’d write is “Trust me. It’s brilliant. SEE IT”. But I can’t, so please bare with me as I discombobulate my addled brain cells and convince you to be first in line to see the most original and bombastic movie in decades without any spoilers!

Mark Your Calendar, Current Affairs, Film & BooksFête ChinoiseApril 1, 2022Asian Representation, FilmComment

Turning Red: A Disney Pixar Chinese-Canadian Fairytale

After the Canadian Premiere of Turning Red, Disney and Pixar’s newest masterpiece, we stepped out of the TIFF Lightbox onto King Street, where the historic two-storey brick buildings sat as a backdrop to a passing streetcar, CN Tower lit up in red and purple to the left. It felt like the scenes from the movie continued into the sidewalk. This is the first Disney film to be situated in (and featuring) Toronto in the early 2000’s, a coming of age story about a 13 year old Chinese-Canadian girl whose emotions turn her into a giant red panda… as the poster suggests, “growing up is a beast!”

Current Affairs, Mark Your CalendarDeborah Lau-YuMarch 11, 2022Asian Representation, Film, animationComment

Matthew Wong: BLUE VIEW | August 13, 2021 - April 18, 2022

It is not very often that a local artist is exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and even more rare that Asian-Canadian representation happens in the art space at this level of recognition. The AGO is presenting an exciting solo exhibition beginning August 13, 2021 to April 18, 2022 titled Matthew Wong: Blue View, featuring works by a Toronto-born Chinese Canadian artist. The first-ever museum show of Matthew Wong (1984-2019), the exhibition features his acclaimed Blue series of oil, gouache and watercolour paintings. The New York Times described him as “one of the most talented painters of his generation.” The exhibition features Wong’s expressive style through 31 paintings and nine works on paper from his Blue series (2017-2019).

Art and Fashion, Mark Your CalendarDeborah Lau-YuAugust 19, 2021matthew wong, Art Gallery of Ontario, Art, artists, chinese canadianComment

Fantasia Film Festival: Features You Won't Want To Miss!

A pandemic won't stop us from enjoying cinema! The Fantasia Film Festival is here. In an effort to introduce Hong Kong films to the Canadian community, the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office has been partnering with numerous film festivals across the country. The Fantasia International Film Festival 2021 will take place from August 5 to 25th, both virtually and in-person — a hybrid model so that more audiences can view some great action on screens at home and in theatre.

Mark Your Calendar, Film & BooksDeborah Lau-YuAugust 10, 2021Film, hong kongComment

JUST IN TIME: BLOOD AND WATER’S SEASON 3 BEGINS JUNE 13th

Just in time to fill the void left by the abrupt end of one show with a mostly Asian cast from another network, Rogers announced the third season of Blood and Water yesterday, the only trilingual Canadian production in English, Cantonese and Mandarin that is produced in Canada. It is also a labour of love, having been brought to life during the pandemic, with the on and off shutdowns that made for an exhausting and extended filming process. After over a year in the making during the emergency lockdown in Toronto, it is finally airing June 13th on OMNI Television on Sunday evenings.

Blood and Water: Fire + Ice is an 8-episode 30 minute crime series uniquely featuring three languages, English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, with an all Asian main cast. Produced in Canada, Blood and Water: Fire+Ice is tailored to resonate with a multi-cultural audience, while keeping the authenticity of Chinese culture in the West (North America). Starring award winning Canadian actress and Fête Chinoise-loved Selena Lee, and many Chinese Canadian talents.

K BODY AND MIND: Subverting Cyberpunk

In K BODY AND MIND, you see two women on stage. They are Asian. Their hair and clothing are identical, but they are not twins. What happens when they open their mouths is probably not what you’d expect. Over the three episodes of K BODY AND MIND, you hear these two women voice a whole cast of characters, dozens of background voices, and a dog. Those two women are myself and actor Donna Soares.

Vincent Chin and a turning point in the Asian American Movement

Vincent’s name and story is one that isn’t told enough: a young Chinese man beaten to death in Detroit due to anti-Japanese sentiment in 1982, just days before his wedding. The killers apparently assumed Chin was of Japanese descent and are alleged to have used racial slurs as they attacked, as the Japanese were blamed for taking up jobs in the automotive sector at the time. He was chased down and beaten to death by Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, both who were never brought to justice for this cruel and racially-driven murder. They never spent a single day in jail. His murder and the outrage became a pivotal moment in the Asian American Movement.

In My View: Resilience, Art and Migration (Asian Heritage Month)

In this lively one hour event, a panel of celebrated cultural leaders and award winning artists come together to discuss how they've navigated and succeeded in the world of performing arts. Moderator Jasmine Chen will be asking Writer/Director/Musician Romeo Candido, Choreographer/OAYSIS Studios Founder Ming-Bo Lam, and Artistic Leader/Theatre Artist Miriam Fernandes about their journeys in building their own platforms and amplifying the voices of their communities. They will share their insights and experiences in how resilience has enabled them to adapt, particularly during the pandemic, which has threatened the survival of the performing arts industry.

TIFF 2021 Asian Heritage Month Programming: Asia Unbound

In honour of Asian Heritage Month in May, TIFF will be highlighting excellence in Asian cinema. The month-long programme, Asia Unbound, focuses on youthful narratives that transcend borders, generations, memories, and identities. Films and digital events throughout the month feature well-known talent from the diaspora, emerging artists, and also renowned auteurs from the Asian continent. Through storytelling that is authentic, touching, humorous, and powerful, Asia Unbound intends to explore — and find inspiration in — the joys, fears, vulnerability, and in-betweenness that underscore Asian identity in today’s world.

Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseMay 5, 2021Film, Entertainment, TIFFComment

Toronto’s Yueh Tung Restaurant: Mother's Day 2021 Gift Set

Yueh Tung Restaurant released their Mother’s Day Gift Set in support of Asian owned female operated local businesses whose shops have been affected by COVID-19. For each set sold a portion of proceeds will go towards the #StopAsianHate Movement and donated to the non-profit organization, Chinese Collective Arts Association.

Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseApril 27, 2021Mark Your CalendarComment