A.K.A. Don Bonus

I found A.K.A. Don Bonus to be an extremely fascinating film.  There have been many different “coming of age” stories that I have seen, but never one that is a documentary that actually follows the student through his life and time at school.  The fact that the camera strictly follows Sokly Ny  through his life, as opposed to having interviews following many different people made this film even more intriguing.  By only following one character actually as his life is going on, removes all biases and creates an extremely personally experience for the audience.  The way this documentary was presented really made the film more interesting to watch by feeling like I was in the life of Sokly Ny, which evoked even more emotion from me to really try and feel as Sokly is feeling.

-Zach Feltman

Volunteers Needed for Final Project Documentary

Hi everyone.  As you may remember, in class my group discussed our film in which we plan to make a documentary about the Asian American experience in education here at the university. If anyone would be willing to give an interview we would greatly appreciate it. It shouldn't take more than a half hour, and I promise it will be fun. Anyone who is interested can e-mail me at ross27@illinois.edu. Thanks.

-Steve Ross

What did you think about A.K.A. Don Bonus?

A.K.A. Don Bonus is the first in Spencer Nakasako's Trilogy.  The other two are Kelly Loves Tony and Refugee.

Here's more information and a student commentary on the film.  

Sokly "Don Bonus" Ny

Spencer Nakasako with Sokly "Don Bonus" Ny

Also, here's an article on documentary films that's in line with the group presentation from yesterday's class.

Post your thoughts on The Fall of the I-Hotel and Omatsu's essay here!

Something to think about for the next section on documentary film (also, post your thoughts on the Nichols reading here)

Have you heard last week's This American Life episode?

What is the responsibility of a storyteller?

Mike Daisey

 

Ira Glass

In Celebration of International Women's Day...

Have you heard of the "Bechdel Test"?  How many films we've seen so far pass this test?

1. There are two female characters

2. Who talk to each other

3. About something other than a man

Can you name a film that meets all three rules (including the stipulation for the first rule that the female characters have to have names?)

What do you think are some of the material consequences of so many films failing this test?

Preview of Gina Kim's Never Forever (2007)

More information on the film HERE

Interview with director Gina Kim and Vera Farmiga HERE

Gina Kim

Vera Farmiga

Interview with Gina Kim on KoreAm Magazine

Post your thoughts on the Levy article on independent cinema here!

Mighty Mountain Warriors of Comedy's Take on Asian American Independent Films:

Click HERE to view the video

If you want more information on Charlottes Sometimes before class:

Click HERE

For an interview with the director, Eric Byler:

Click HERE

For 2/27: Post your thoughts on Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) and Lee's Essay here!

"Controversy" over the film at the Sundance film festival (think about this in relation to the Tavis Smiley interview below)

Interview with Justin Lin, the director:

The 1992 murder of Stuart Tay that resembles the film:

Are You Watching the Oscars This Sunday?

Something for us to think about (in addition to the LA Times article below)....

NPR Story on The Help
Essence Article on The Help

Tavis Smiley debates with Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer over The Help:

Watch the video here

"Linsanity" in the Media

The Guardian article on Jeremy Lin
"What Everyone Gets Wrong About Jeremy Lin," by Marie Myung-Ok Lee

Post-class Notes, 2.20.12

Here's a full text of Nikolai Gogol's "The Overcoat."

Nikolai Gogol

A conclusion of a sort on our section on "Asian American Film Goes to Hollywood"?

And the Academy Members Are....

A Dream in Doubt: Recommended viewing for class, 2/20

View the film: A Dream in Doubt

Visit the movie home page

Post your thoughts on THE NAMESAKE and Brennan's essay here!

Image from The New York Times movie review

Charlie Rose interview with Mira Nair (director of The Namesake, the film) and Jhumpa Lahiri (author of The Namesake, the novel)

Mira Nair

Jhumpa Lahiri

Post your thoughts on Ben Xu's essay here

Post your thoughts on The Joy Luck Club, the movie, here!

Wayne Wang, the director of the film, The Joy Luck Club (1993):

Here are some questions for you to consider:

1. What did you think of the film's depictions of what it means to be "American" and "Chinese"?

2. What did you think of the film's representation of Chinese/Chinese American men?  

3. What did you think about the film's focus on mother-daughter relationships?

February 6, 2012 Class

Post your thoughts on the novel, The Joy Luck Club (1989) here!

Amy Tan, the author:

Thoughts on Vincent Chin?

If you have thoughts about Vincent Who? or what happened to Vincent Chin, please share them here.

Examples of Asian American short films

Here are some films for you to consider in thinking about your final project:

Eli's Liquor Store (2007)
-A short narrative film directed by Arnold Chun

Slip of the Tongue (2006)
-A short film directed by Karen Lum

How to Do the Asian Squat (2006)
-A short "mockumentary" directed by Daniel Hsia

Hapa Perspectives (2008)
-A Short documentary by a student at Wesleyan University (this film won a contest at Current TV)

Here are some links related to Asian American pop culture that were mentioned in the movie, VINCENT WHO?

I particularly recommend Phil Yu's and Tazila Ahmed's sites.

Angry Asian Man Blog (Phil Yu) -- Click on the Angry GI Joe!

Sepia Mutiny Blog (Tazila Ahmed)

Giant Robot (Asian & Asian American Pop Culture)

Happy Reading!