Clips ending July 2, 2003

By Shirley Hsu

Abercrombie in trouble again with minorities

Just when the commotion over Abercrombie & Fitch's line of racially insensitive T-shirts seemed to be dying down, the clothing retailer is now facing a federal lawsuit charging the company with discrimination in its hiring practices against Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans.

Filed June 16 by nine Asian Pacific American and Hispanic plaintiffs, the lawsuit accused the company of promoting an "all-white" image by stocking its stores with an overwhelmingly white sales staff, placing the minorities it does hire in less-visible jobs, and exhibiting an "all-white" look in its catalogues. The company has also been accused of hiring employees from disproportionately white fraternities and sororities.

One Filipino-American plaintiff, Anthony Ocampo, claims he was not rehired for a job at a store where he had formerly worked, and was told by a salesperson that there were already too many Filipinos working there.

The company came under fire last spring for its line of T-shirts depicting stereotypical Asian-American characters, including the inflammatory "Wong Brothers" laundry service tee emblazoned with the words "Two Wongs Can Make it White," but Abercrombie spokesman Tom Lennox has maintained that the company does not discriminate.

China cuts off CNN interview with critic of Hong Kong subversion law

CNN's broadcast into China was cut off Monday night during an interview with Hong Kong lawmaker Emily Lau, an opponent of a planned Hong Kong anti-subversion law which critics say will suppress the media.

As Lau started to criticize the bill, which opponents say could lead to the restriction of free speech and assembly rights, the network's programming was cut for about 20 seconds, and resumed after the interview ended. Critics of the bill not only fear it will be used to censor news but that it will outlaw groups such as Falun Gong which are banned in mainland China but still allowed in Hong Kong.

The Chinese government often interrupts controversial news reports and interviews without explanation. US lawmakers voted last week to condemn the anti-subversion law as an impediment to free speech in China.

Minorities and women directors still lag behind in TV

Female and minority television directors are still largely absent from the top 40 primetime comedy and drama series of the past three seasons, said a new report by the Directors Guild of America.

During the 2002-03 season, 13 of the top 40 series shows did not employ any minority directors and 10 did not hire women directors, the report stated. Furthermore, for the third year in a row, Caucasian males directed over 80 percent of episodes of the top 40 series. Said DGA President Martha Coolidge, "The report reveals that once again, the producers and the networks have failed to fulfill their contractual good-faith obligation to hire more women and minority directors."

Network executives dispute the findings, saying that the report's findings were skewed because they considered only the top 40 prime time series.

Artist Maya Lin plans new Lewis and Clark monument

Architect and sculptor Maya Lin's latest project will be a monument commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Lin apparently has her eye on Chief Timothy Park in Washington as a possible site for the monument.

Lin, who is most recognized for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will work with the Confluence Project to create a number of pieces of artwork to honor the Lewis and Clark expedition. Set to be completed in 2005, the monument will focus on the area's land and people, said Jane Jacobsen, director of the Confluence Project, and will use the natural beauty of the site to create a space for people to reflect.

Lin also designed the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Groundswell sculpture at Ohio State University.

Asian-American International Film Festival a success

The 26th Asian American International Film Festival closed on Sunday (June 29) with a screening of Mina Shum's film, "Long Life, Happiness, and Prosperity," about a twelve year old Cantonese-Canadian girl's experiments with Taoist magic spells. The eight-day Manhattan festival opened on June 20 with Mani Ratman's "A Peck on the Cheek," and screened Greg Pak's award-winning "Robot Stories" as its Centerpiece Presentation.

The festival was presented by Asian CineVision, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Asian American media, in conjunction with Asia Society, and was sponsored this year by Cadillac. This year, it showcased over 100 features, documentaries, shorts, and animations by both established and up-and-coming filmmakers. In its 26th year running, the festival has introduced a number of now prominent filmmakers, including internationally acclaimed directors Ang Lee ("The Hulk") and Steven Okasaki ("American Sons").

One to keep an eye on: remake of "The Eye" will feature Tom Cruise

Screenwriter Ryne Pearson ("Mercury Rising") will write the English-language adaptation of "The Eye," the cult Asian horror film directed by the Thai-born Pang brothers. Tom Cruise and his Paramount Pictures-based Cruise/Wagner Productions Company acquired the rights to remake "The Eye" last year. Shot mostly in Hong Kong, the Pang brothers' film stars Malaysian singer Angelica Lee as Mun, a blind eighteen-year-old girl who undergoes a cornea transplant to recover her eyesight. However, post-operation, Mun not only recovers her vision, but is also able to see dead people, á la "The Sixth Sense."

Since the huge commercial success of "The Ring," a Hollywood remake of the Japanese film "Ringu," Asian horror films have been thrust into the spotlight.

Prominent Korean-American leader dies

Dr. Suzanne Insook Ahn, distinguished neurologist and political activist, has passed away. The 51-year old Texan left behind two children and an illustrious medical career as well as several noteworthy political accomplishments. Ahn fought for civil rights for Asian Pacific Americans, helping APAs gain appointments to state and federal offices.

She has also supported the Asian American Journalists Association through her philanthropy.

Mona Hatoum wreaks marble madness at the MOCA

Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum's installation piece, "Map," opened for exhibit last week at the MOCA's California Plaza. The piece is a sprawling world map made entirely of clear glass marbles.

The piece uses 3,300 pounds of marbles grouped on the floor in the shape of continents and landmasses. The loose and precarious nature of the marbles is meant to create a sense of the instability of national borders, which Hatoum is particularly sensitive to --born in Beirut, Hatoum lived with her family in exile until Hatoum left Lebanon for London in 1975 at the age of 23. "Map" is a piece that threatens to warp, shift, and self-destruct at the slightest tremor of a footstep or a closing door, representing the fragility of political borders.

Hatoum's artwork frequently focuses on such issues of international boundaries, cultural identity and physical place. "Map" will be on exhibit through August 3, 2003.

'Paper Dragon' comes to life with producer Gitlin

Screenwriter Joshua Stern has struck a deal with producer Mimi Polk Gitlin to pen the script for "Paper Dragon," a family adventure film that will tell the tale of a boy who finds a folded Chinese warrior that magically comes to life. The audience joins the boy, who is a Rubik's Cube champion and computer whiz, as he embarks on a string of adventures with the warrior.

Stern will direct another one of his own scripts "Never Was" later this year. Gitlin, who produced "Thelma &Louise," "White Squall," and "The Browning Version," has also optioned rights to William Tucci's comic book series, "Shi."

Fox Trot

Fox Movie Channel originally planned a summer long festival of Charlie Chan detective movies that would present a double feature of his films each weekend through Labor Day. However Chinese-American protest groups brought this plan to an abrupt halt, protesting to FMC that it should not associate itself with movies that stereotype Chinese as “slant-eyed” and “subservient”.

FMC defended itself with a statement, posted on its website, claiming its intention was to promote Chan’s intellect and complexity – to show the positive aspects of his movies.

Many Chan fans, disappointed in the film festival’s unseemly exit, are hoping another channel will show the old classics. – Ashley Plate

Japanese copyrights extended at long last

The Japanese Parliament has extended the copyright for films and animated features from 50 to 70 years after their first release.

The copyright revision comes after more than 10 years of lobbying and support by the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan as well as all of Japan's major studios, including Toho, Toei and Shochiku. The revision takes effect in January 2004.


July 2, 2003