I am old enough to remember, at least vaguely, what the Pentagon Papers were all about, but still had so much to learn… Thank you to the filmmakers of THE POST!! The movie came together so quickly– Steven Spielberg (my first “boss” on EMPIRE OF THE SUN) read the script in March of this year, and they …
Very honored to have hosted a screening for the deeply powerful movie, FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER, with Angelina Jolie and Loung Ung at the Netflix office, followed by a conversation and reception with them. Their commitment to making an uncompromising movie —shot entirely in Cambodia in the Khmer language— is nothing short of inspiring. Furthermore, we have …
Wonderful Evening with Angelina Jolie and Loung Ung Read More »
I learned in recent years that actually the most fun event by far in Hollywood is the Governors Awards. Because the honorees are announced beforehand, there is no “competition” or nervousness. And rather than sitting rigidly in one’s seat (to be efficiently replaced by a seat warmer if you get up to go to the loo or get …
The Asian World Film Festival is in its 3rd year and is dedicated to films submitted by Asian countries for Oscar consideration. What a worthy cause, especially at this moment when so many new members from Asia are being accepted. In addition, however, the AWFF is also dedicated to highlighting works by our Asian-American community. It was a …
25 th Anniversary Screening of THE JOY LUCK CLUB Read More »
Join us for our 8th annual US-CHINA FILM SUMMIT/GALA! In addition to honorees below, Charles Rivkin, the new Chairman of the MPAA, Donald Tang, new wunderkind on the block, and many more will be there! #USChinaFilmSummit http://asiasociety.org/southern-california/events/2017-us-china-film-summit-gala
LA is going to have a new crown jewel, and it is the Academy Museum! The brilliant Italian architect, Renzo Piano, is behind this amazing new structure that sits conveniently right next to LACMA. The rectangular part will house permanent and revolving exhibits; the glass dome is for screenings and events. You will be able …
Hard Hat Tour of New Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Read More »
Monthly trips to Bay Area to see mother and son are always gratifying. Grandma is as happy with ice cream cone as she is with the 90 degree hug from grandson. There’s always a plethora of activity right up my alley. This time I heard David Rank speak. He quit 27 years in the Foreign …
When a group of us – which included Arthur Dong, Freida Lee Mock, Chris Tashima, and David Magdael – launched a protest against the Academy about its 2016 telecast’s offensive jokes against Asians, it unleashed what seems to be a veritable movement for the Asian-American community. Many of us signed a letter that went viral, and then …
Reception for Asian Academy members, sponsored by East West Bank Read More »
My head’s still in the clouds from Telluride, my favorite of all film fests. The intense bursts of nature and culture combined are intoxicating. What stays with me most, besides the scenery and my late night puzzle making (a tradition at the Henson/Pressler household) is Angelina Jolie’s film, First They Killed My Father. She is …
Saw “Detroit” at Academy last night. I found myself occasionally averting my eyes and almost groaning in emotional pain. The camera doesn’t avert though. It stays through the whole grueling ordeal so you can experience what it was actually like to be there. Every shot was impeccable. Every performance was impeccable. Difficult to watch but …
