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February 9, 2006: News Bites
Freida Lee Mock's Sundance success, Rufio stars alongside Antonio Banderas, Margaret Cho and George Takei team up, Houston Film Festival needs more Asian-Americans. This and much more in the latest edition of News Bites.
Frieda Lee finishes latest documentary
Frieda Lee Mock, film director and mother of director daughter Jessica Sanders, recently finished the documentary Wrestling with Angels, a film about playwright Tony Kushner. The film, which spans the course of three years from 2001 to 2004, examines Kushner’s personal and political life, including what it was like for him to grow up Jewish and gay in Louisiana, as well as taking a look into his screenplay-turned-movie Angels in America. Mock’s film recently premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Basco Breaks Loose in “Taking the Lead”
Dante Basco, best known for his role as the insolent Rufio in 1991’s Hook, as well as his part as Ben Mercado in 2000’s Filipino culture-centered flick The Debut, opens in the upcoming dance film Take the Lead. The film stars Antonio Banderas as a former professional dancer who volunteers to teach dance at a New York public school. Basco plays one of the students whose life, not to mention dance style, is eventually impacted by Banderas.
Cho and Takei to Host Radio Series
“Crossing East," the First Asian-American series on National Public Radio (NPR), will feature an eight-episode series in May hosted by George Takei and Margaret Cho. The series will look at documentaries of Asian immigration into the United States, as well as the impact that immigration has on descendants, global ties and the formation of the country. Takei will host the first four episodes; Cho will host the last four.
True Love Uncut in “Partition”
Kristin Kreuk -- of Smallville fame -- stars with Jimi Mistry in the upcoming romantic epic Partition. In the film, Mistry plays Singh, a retired British Army soldier who falls in love with Naseem (Kreuk), a teenage Muslim separated from her family. Their coming together as a couple introduces much conflict from both their community and their families, as they are affected by events that separated India and Pakistan in 1949. The challenge for both Singh and Naseem lies in their willingness to stick together despite major opposition from their families, their communities and their loyalty to their countries.
Houston Film Festival seeks Entries
Slant, an annual film festival, is currently seeking short films by Asian-Americans for its sixth annual upcoming showcase from May 20 -21 in Houston. The films must be 30 minutes or less and must display a good story, exude laughs and evoke emotion. All genres are welcomed; entries must be postmarked by March 3. More details and information may be found at http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/events/slant06.php.
Video Art Founder Dies
Paik Nam June, inventor of video art imaging as well as cliché term coiner, died Jan 29 of natural causes. A member of the Fluxus art movement who is best known for his work with music, video images and sculptures, June has degrees in both music and aesthetics. He is believed to have coined the terms “information superhighway” as well as “the future is now.”
Date Posted: 2/9/2006