YOU HEAR IT FIRXT ! ! ! episode #324

Be on the look out for

Justin Lin's THE FAST & THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, in theaters June 16th, 2006

Jet Lee's FEARLESS, in theaters in July 2006

Dubbed as Korea Cinema's Mission Impossible, Typhoon will open on June 2nd, 2006

go to www.typhoonthemovie.com and visit www.xanga.com/typhoonthemovie. for more information!

Bang-bang: 72 Hr. Shoot Out!

3RD ANNUAL 72 HOUR FILM SHOOTOUT
June 9-12, 2006 Nationwide



The Shootout is a nationwide competition where filmmaking teams have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit and produce short digital films up to six minutes in length and based on a common theme. The intention of this competition is to create opportunities for Asian Americans to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry, and impact the visibility of Asian American stories and characters in film and television. At least one key production member and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.


On June 9th, 2006, at 8:00pm, the 3rd Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout will commence. The competition theme will be announced at the New York City launch party and simultaneously relayed over the internet to out of town competitors. This year, The Shootout anticipates 75 to 100 teams with an average of five people per team (a total of 375 to 500 participants). In addition, over 300 attendees are expected at each of The Shootout events (Launch Party, Wrap Party, After Party, Screening) not including the countless numbers of spirited supporters and enthusiasts.


REGISTRATION DEADLINES: Early bird May 12; Regular June 2; Late June 8.


For more information, visit www.asiancinevision.org or www.aafilmlab.com


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SHUT OUT: higher education not public?!

Hi folks! Hope you can join us for this very important panel discussion. Bento box dinners provided only for those who RSVP by today, May 19 by e-mailing or calling Paul Estuar at pestuar@littlaw.com or (213) 386-3114 ext. 210. Please distribute widely and have a nice weekend! ~Speak.AsianAmericans


Join us on May 24th: SHUT OUT: Is Higher Education Truly Public? Ten Years After Proposition 209

Do you think diversity, equity and equal representation in public education is a good thing? If so, then this is the place to be next Wednesday evening!

2006 marks the 10-year anniversary of the passage of Prop. 209. Join us for an expert panel discussion on the effects of Prop. 209 on higher education - past, present and future efforts. Find out about the latest initiatives to address those effects and efforts to possibly overturn 209. The event will be an opportunity to learn the lessons that 10 years of Prop. 209 has taught us, bring our communities together around initiatives to fight for equity and equal representation in our higher education system and meet some of the top community leaders who are at the forefront of this issue.


WHAT: SHUT OUT: Is Higher Education Truly Public? Ten Years After Proposition 209

SCREENING: “Beyond Black & White: Affirmative Action In America”

PANEL DISCUSSION

§ Kathay Feng, Executive Director of Common Cause
§ Jerry Kang, Professor at UCLA School of Law
§ Evonne Lai, Law Student at UCLA School of Law
§ Eva Paterson, Executive Director of Equal Justice Society
§ Julie Su, Litigation Director at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center
§ Saul Sarabia, UCLA School of Law

WHEN: Wednesday, May 24th; 5:45 - 6:30 pm light dinner and reception; 6:30 - 8:30 pm program

WHERE: David Henry Hwang Theater; 120 Judge John Aiso St. in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles

COST: $10 for APABA members; $15 for non-members; FREE for ALL STUDENTS - Light dinner provided for all attendees who RSVP by Today, Friday, May 19

If you're interested in attending, please RSVP to Paul Estuar at pestuar@littlaw.com or (213) 386-3114 ext. 210 by Today, Friday, May 19.

Presented by The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA at www.apabala.org) in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

REMINDER: REGISTER TO VOTE!!

This is a reminder to all the Asian Brothas and Sistahs out there:

Remember to register to vote, so you can vote on the primary. Here are the steps for those who are civic-participation confused:

Step 1. Register to vote. You can register to vote with CAUSE. They are the experts in Asian American voter outreach, and you can request different Asian languages. If you do not register, then you cannot vote. Last day to register is May 22nd 2006. DO IT NOW! www.causeusa.org

Step 2. Vote in the Primary: (n) Vote for the candidate within your party (Democratic or Republican, depending on your registration). For California, 06-06-06 is the OMEN... the date to vote for your PARTY candidate.

Who ever wins out the primary will go on to the general election.

Step 3. Vote in the General Election: (n) November. Vote for YOUR most favorable candidate on the ballot. Republican or Democrat (Speak.Asian Americans PREFERS you to vote Democrat, of course.)

Why do we need to vote: As Asian Americans, we are the second largest voting bloc, coming behind the Latinos. It has been disheartening listening to the first generation Asian community (mostly, our parents) to be civically-disengaged. Most are more passionate about motherland politics than what is going on with our State. As 1.5 and second generation Asian Americans, we need to galvanize our community and educate them the importance of voting. Voting is like buying power. We express our opinions and choices through our votes. We help to elect officials to represent us in the decision-making process and obtaining a piece of the pie: Education, Work Compensation, Justice... to name a few. Please REGISTER to VOTE... and VOTE!

Hot Stories:
Asian Votes= Hot Commodity (San Jose Mercury News)
Democrats Courting Asian American Community (Contra Costa Times)

Thank you Asian Brothas and Sistas!

Thank you to AngryAsianMan.com, the GODfather of ALL Asian American blogs.

Speak.AsianAmericans got a quick mention on the May 16th entry.

yea!

we also got a mention in AArising. Yea!

~ S.A-A

YOU HEAR IT FIRST! TOKYO DRIFT!

YOU HEAR IT FIRST ! THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT

Director Justin Lin presents The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift

Our brotha, Director Justin Lin, puts finishing touches to THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT. *check out the trailer below*

Over the past Sunday (bless all mums, it was Mothers' Day), Speak.AsianAmericans caught a sneak preview at Universal's editing studio at full length, of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, directed by Better Luck Tomorrow's Justin Lin. Justin shared with me the story behind the making of this movie. While I cannot share too much (yet! ), I gotta say I truly enjoyed the movie! What an eye-candy! The silverscreen image of the post-modern industrial feel to Japan is refreshing. It absolutely rocked for the following reasons:

-RESPECT: The previous FNF installments paid NO repsect to the importing/tuning scene, which is a predominantly Asian/Asian American scene. On the other hand, Tokyo Drift, was down-to-the-details to show what 'drifting' was all about. Asians were not seen as the stereotypical 'evildoers.' They were 3-dimensional, slick, and cool. The always rico-suave Sung Kang's character really helped to move the story along as well.

In addition, one of the biggest character in this film are the cars. the CARS are absolutely HOT.

- ASIAN PRIDE: Justin was very all about 'respectin' his past' in having Jason Tobin, Sung Kang, and Bryan Tee as lead Asian MALE actors. Both Jason's and Sung's names also are the same as Better Luck Tomorrow, respectively Virgil and Han. Alden from East West Players also makes his appearance as part of Han's posse.

- MUSIC: This movie is like a hot 95 min. music video. Pharrell of N.E.R.D loved the film so much that he did a HOT HOT track for Tokyo Drift. I cannot wait for the soundtrack to come out; this is going to be those CDs you'd be pumpin' while driving down (not drift, because it is illegal. ) the 110 Hwy.

- LIN FACTOR: Director Justin Lin is truly an amazing talent. He changed the original script from a tacky, stereotypical-deAsian film (and I do have the original script in front of me, I read 75% of it, and it WAS crap) to an Asian American empowering film. Lin also made a conscious attempt to make a diverse cast that truly represents the global community: the cast included: there are white, black, Peruvian/Australian, Pinoys, Chinese, Korean, Japanese. Moreover, the cinematography is amazing. There is one screen shot where Lucas Black's car drifted and the audience can see reflections of people and building on the windshield. Better Luck Tomorrow fans will have a blast when they see the film: be on the look out for some scenes reminiscent of BLT. Oil drill, anyone? I remember when I sat down with Justin back in UCBerkeley days, he was an up and coming director. He was full of passion and spoke about BLT as not about a film project, but a vehicle to open up the road of opportunities for other Asian American actors and actress. 3 years later, he kept that vision and is still pushing for more APA representation via Tokyo Drift, even thought Justin had to deal with an uphill battle with studio heads.

Please go support Justin Lin's Tokyo Drift, which premiere in L-A on June 4th.

April 11, 2003. Better Luck Tomorrow opens

and 3 years later... Justin Lin has BLOWN UP!

May 13th Canvassing

May 13th Canvassing

On May 13th 2006, Democratic activists and grassroots organizers gathered and canvassed for the state-wide May 13th Neighbor-to-Neighbor event. There were preccinct-walkings in various Southern California neighborhoods from Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Orange County, and Riverside.

"In seeing us out there, they were getting the picture that [California Democratic Party] is really trying to turn things around," said Susanne Savage, a longtime activist. "It was a good event and one that was very worthwhile in executing."

What was different about this effort was that no preccinct maps or lists were used. Activists simply talked to their neighbors in their immediate communities to discuss what mattered to them: Honest leadership and open government; Real security; Energy independnece, Economic prosperity and educational excellence; a healthcare system that works for everyone; and Retirement security. Democrats are changing the nation by speaking from the heart to the communities.

With the success of this first effort, the California Democratic Party is planning to launch another Neighbor-to-Neighbor event in July.

Below are some pictures taken on May 13th.


Author Mark Twain promotes The Democratic Vision as well.


26th Congressional District candidate Russ Warner and volunteers walked the neighborhood of San Gabriel Valley and San Bernardino County


Volunteers also walked the neighborhood of San Fernando Valley.


...and the San Gabriel Valley as well.


Armand and Nancy of Hollywood says they "were met with some surprised looks" for their effort.

More pictures to come...!

Democratic Party activists in Southern California!!

Please join the California Democratic Party and your local activists for a special screening of CONVENTIONEERS at the The 2006 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, presented by Honda!!

Help spread the word! RSVP with Jack Song at jack@cadem.org.

** Followed by a Meet & Greet with your Southern California Deputy Political Outreach Directors, local Democratic Party activists, and film director Mora Mi-Ok Stephens! We will be discussing about our upcoming May 13th Neighbor-to-Neighbor Outreach event as well !! **

CONVENTIONEERS


"whose side are you on?"

Saturday, 5/6/2006

2:30 pm

Directors Guild of America, Theater 2

7920 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

ABOUT THE FILM: Comedy. Massey, a Republican delegate to the Republican National Convention, falls into an unlikely affair with a girl he knew in college-Lea, a Liberal who has returned to the city to protest the Republican agenda. Both are political virgins who have surrounded themselves with like-minded colleagues and have never really confronted the "enemy " in the flesh. Meanwhile, Dylan, a former protester who dropped out of the scene after becoming a father, must also confront his dedication to the cause when he is hired as a sign language interpreter for the President's speech at the convention. When he tells his activist friends about the job, they try to convince him to stage a protest during the President's speech instead. The tension builds as Dylan reaches the convention floor itself, takes his place next to the President, while Massey and Lea try and find each other in the chaos outside. What follows will test their beliefs about politics, love and commitment, and will push buttons on both sides of the divide.

Memorial Service: Mayor Mui

we will miss you:




Services for Mayor Mui will be held:

Friday, May 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
San Gabriel Civic Auditorium
320 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Office of the City Clerk – 626/308-2816
Donna Vine, Clem Arroyo or Cynthia Trujillo
dvine@sgch.org

City Mourns Loss of Mayor Chi Mui

SAN GABRIEL, CA – April 28, 2006 – It is with deep sadness and regret to announce the death of Mayor Chi Mui after a courageous battle with cancer. Admitted to San Gabriel Valley Medical Center on April 24, 2006 Chi passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 11:12 a.m. with his wife Betty and a few close friends by his side.

Elected to the San Gabriel City Council in March 2003, Chi was appointed Vice-Mayor in 2005. March 21, 2006 was an historic time for San Gabriel when Chi was appointed to serve as the City’s first Asian and Chinese-American Mayor.

Chi loved San Gabriel and cared about every member of the city organization. Although our hearts are heavy and we have lost a great friend, the process of remembrance, grief and healing will be respected. We join together to acknowledge and honor Chi by continuing his example of service to the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chi’s wife, Betty, and his family. Services for Mayor Mui will be held:

Friday, May 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
San Gabriel Civic Auditorium
320 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel