Clips

By Chihye Chung

Madam Butterfly Makes Her Come Back
The East West players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre troupe will be presenting David Henry Hwang's Tony Award-winning play "Madam Butterfly" which will be premiering June 9, 2004 in Los Angeles. "Madam Butterfly" will be the last of four plays presented by the East West Players in its 38th anniversary season of plays. Based on a true story about a French diplomat who fell in love and was arrested for having an affair with a Chinese opera singer who also happened to be a spy for the Chinese government, "Madam Butterfly" has captured the hearts of many. It took home an astounding three Tony Awards including "Best Play" in 1988. The showing of "Madam Butterfly" will follow the East West Players' rendition of the musical "Passion," which will open on September 10, 2003 and be the first of the four plays.

GOT LAUGHS!
A comedy playwriting contest (as part of a three-year $200,000 grant contributed by the James Irvine Foundation) is being held by the East West Players in Los Angeles next year. Submission for full-length plays, musicals and solo pieces with Asian-Pacific casts are urged to be turned in and postmarked by June 30th 2004. All submissions should address social issues in a comedic way and will be judged by EWP's literary committee. A panel of established playwrights will then screen all finalists. First place will receive $4000, second place $3000, and third $2000. East West Players' Artistic Director, Tim Dang is hoping that this opportunity will help hone and polish the skills of growing writers in the Asian Pacific American community.

This Summer's "Twins Effect"
"The Twins Effect," A vampire action comedy, similar to a light version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, opened in Hong Kong on June 24th of 2003, drawing attention to two girls known as the "Olsen Twins" of Hong Kong. This dynamic duo is unique in that they are not twins at all. However, Gillian Chung (22) born in Hong Kong and Canadian Born Charlene Choi (20) look strikingly alike with their pale-faced "cutsie" images and their bright, cheery smiles.

Children and parents have catapulted the "twins" to idol status due to their much-respected good-girl reputations. Thanks to EEG (Emperor Entertainment Group), the twins have been incredibly successful in marketing and managing their movie in Hong Kong and also in the states. The "twins" along with Josie Ho and Edison Chen, two other Hong Kong celebrities, were even able to manage visiting the states to promote their HK$50 million film. Debuting in Hong Kong at the end of June, "The Twins Effect" has been available for viewing on video by Columbia Tri-Star Home Entertainment in the U.S.

Girls kick butt in "The Twins Effect." Courtesy of Dual Net Communication

Asian Americans Celebrate 2003!
For a small donation of $6, people who have always wanted to keep up with Asian Holidays such as Ramadan and the start of the Lunar Year now can with a brand new "Asian Americans Celebrate 2003!" calendar. Created by Leonard Chan and AACP (Asian American Curriculum Project), "Asian Americans Celebrate 2003" was made to promote the awareness of the Asian American culture. One can be purchased on the web at AsianAmericanBooks.com. Other holidays specified in the calendar include: the Chinese New Year, the Japanese Obon Festival, and Lei Day. All Proceeds will go to an internship program for those who have participated in the making of the calendar and also to the actual printing costs.


Hollywood Gets Blocked by Chinese Government
In the past, Hollywood has raked in huge profits from the vast Chinese entertainment industry. Recently however, the government has claimed that it will not raise its 49% cap on the foreign ownership of its films. Though Hollywood has been waiting and relying on rumors to the contrary, the disputes have not yet been completely settled. Some U.S. firms, however, have been able to bypass these restrictions by joint venturing (as Warner has done with Shanghai). This way, the laws and regulation that only confine single ventures do not affect the dually owned ones. However, the Chinese Film Bureaucracy has claimed that the government's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is now considering raising the cap to 50%.

Pirates Still Stealing
In Hong Kong, unpaid television viewing has become rampant and out of control. Piracy is getting out of hand in Hong Kong and costing the country almost $40 million last year alone. Figures given recently by the CASBAA (The Cable and Satellite Broadcasters Association) show that according to research, in Thailand for example, there are 760,000 illegal subscribers costing the industry about $19 million a month and the problem only seems to be getting worse. Revenue leakage due to piracy is now beginning to be considered a serious crime in Hong Kong. Though the government seems to be reluctant to invest in technological renovations to stop piracy, many channels are supporting televised public announcements that inform viewers of the severity of the crime.

Angels Kick Butt Overseas
Not only is Charlie's Angels: "Full Throttle" making millions in the states, it is reaching even more astonishing numbers overseas. "Full Throttle" was able to collect an estimated $22.3 million overseas, contributing greatly to the cumulative amount minted. Columbia Tri-Star executive VP, Mark Zucker, claims to be aiming at $175 million dollars for the sequel, beating out the first Charlie's Angels by $36.2 million dollars. Over seas or statewide, this goal may seem unattainable, but it may actually be possible due to the overflow of males abroad that are being drawn to the sequel in comparison to the U.S. "Full Throttle" has grossed a whopping $460,000 in India and $435,000 in Taiwan. It also took in a total of $11.9 million in Japan and $5.5 million in South Korea.

"Full Throttle" kicks butt overseas. Courtesy of Sony pictures

A Tale of Two Sisters
Taking "The Matrix Reloaded" out of the #1 spot in South Korea, "A Tale of Two Sisters" delightfully scared Korean audience members with the classic East Asian horror story of two mysteriously ill sisters. Though similar to Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," this film has some very unique twists and turns to its plot. The techniques used by the directors in lighting and shadowing the film are similar to the methods used to attain the mysterious and horrific feel in "The Shining." This type of artistry greatly adds to the moments of suspense and thrill throughout the film. Though this story has been filmed five times previously between the 1920's and 70's, this new rendition will be sure to still send chills up spines.

Horror film, "A Tale of Two Sisters. Courtesy of Pulpmovies.com

"The Color of War"- Japan
In recognition of the 58th anniversary of the end of World War II, Japanese broadcasting station NHK will be showing its very own version of "The Color of War," a documentary consisting of a compilation of both color and black and white photos shot between 1931 and 1946. These photos taken from archives in Japan, Europe and the U.S. will show the events that took place during this time period. It will be televised on the eve of the memorable anniversary of the war's end surely striking up a wealth of emotion in viewers. Though previously aired in the U.S. on the History Channel, NHK plans to present a new side to the documentary in that these footages will be in color, contrary to what was previously believed about the limitation of Japanese photography during the 30's and 40's. Footage of the troops in Manchuria as well as the devastation of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima are just a few of the thought provoking moments that will be shown. NHK is airing "The Color of War" hoping to recognize the bittersweet moments of the era.

The Crow: Wicked Prayer
Though the actual release date for "The Crow: Wicked Prayer," the sequel to "The Crow" (1994) is still unknown, sources say that it will be coming out sometime in the year 2004 with raging fans that are already eager for the premier. Set in the Southwest region of the U.S., "Wicked Prayer" is about the reincarnation of Jimmy who comes back from the afterlife to take on a head-to-head battle with the devil himself. The cast includes an impressive array of actors such as Marcus Chong, David Boreanaz, Eddy Furlong, Dennis Hopper and Tara Reid.

"The Crow: Wicked Prayer." Courtesy of The Crow's Loft

Sounds of Hawaii
Sounds of Hawaii, a full service entertainment company will be hosting a show featuring the "Makaha Sons" with Sister Robi and Raiatea Helm on July 20, 2003 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The Makaha Sons are famous for their unique and pleasantly harmonious sound. The show will be hosted by Brook Lee, the 1997 Miss Universe (Hawaii). The show will also include an appearance from "Ten Feet"—one of the bright upcoming Hawaiian bands. It begins at 6pm and tickets sell for $44/$34.

The Makaha Sons. Courtesy of Sounds of Hawaii

At Last, The New Singing Sensation
At Last, the winners of Rick Dees' "So You Wanna Be a Star Contest," are indeed blossoming into mega pop stars. This new Asian American Hip-Hop group won the opportunity to play at the "Taste of America" Fourth of July event at the Rose Bowl this year and has much more in store for them. Their Debut EP sold over 5,000 copies while their sophomore album "Driven" sold twice as many. At Last's new 3-track release "The Arrival" features original single "More Than Friends" and acapella versions of "Killing Me Softly" and "Let's Stay Together." "The Arrival" will be released through actress Ming-Na (ER, Joy Luck Club, Mulan) and husband and actor/producer Eric Zee's (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Exit The Dragon) Record Company, Innovazion Records on August 1,2003.
Check out At Last's upcoming shows and events:

• Saturday, August 9, 2003—Miss Nisei, Japan American Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 6:00 pm
  
• Saturday, August 23, 2003—Korean Youth and Community Center (Skirball), Los Angeles, CA 1:00 pm

July 18, 2003