\"... a deeply astute performance as Raymond... intelligent, conflicted, humorous, obsessive, in love and out of love...\" — KIM VOYNAR, cinematical.com
I am honored to have a lead role in this indie feature, filming in Hawai'i this month, UNDER THE BLOOD-RED SUN, the screen adaptation of the award-winning novel by Graham Salisbury. I play 'Papa,' father of the central character, 'Tomi,' a Japanese American boy in Hawai'i who faces a world turned upside-down, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Please visit our kickstarter page, now in its final hours (ends Nov. 4!). Be a backer, and share.
A
couple months ago, musician/filmmaker Andres
Useche asked me if I would be in a PSA he was making to help bring
awareness to the dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan, depicted in the documentary
film, THE COVE. The film had just been nominated for an
Academy Award, but I had yet to see it. However, much had already been
publicized about the film, and its subject—a little known brutal routine taking
place in the town of Taiji, of capturing and slaughtering thousands of dolphins and selling
them as "whale meat"—so I did not hesitate in saying yes. THE COVE had already
been sweeping the awards season, winning the DGA, WGA, PGA, ACE and Sundance
awards, among many others. So, even though I had not seen it yet, my guess was
it would also win the Oscar. I saw
the film that week, and it did not disappoint. Director Louie Psyihoyos (rhymes
with sequoias) did a marvelous job in effectively addressing an important topic
while also telling a deeply emotional story. Great filmmaking. While the issue
is tragic and the suffering is painful to watch, the film also offers hope:
Hope that, through awareness, minds can be changed. THE COVE
did win on Oscar night, but the fight continues. Please visit www.TakePart.com/TheCove
to find out how you can help.
Thank
you Andres, for your great work and for asking me to be a part of this PSA. It
was an honor. Check it out.
Hollywood A-listers, as well as some prominent Asian American celebs,
including Tamlyn Tomita and James Kyson
Lee are all featured. I
come in about 1:24, sandwiched between Carrie Ann Inaba and
John Leguizamo... Like I said, an
honor.
I was
honored to be asked by producer Teddy Zee to participate in this campaign to
help the Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF) try to win $1 million via the
Chase Community Giving program on facebook. Two weeks ago hundreds of community
members came together to shoot a series of PSAs which are now being broadcast
on the internet. Below is a YouTube link to one version in which I appear,
along with Aaron Yoo, Leonardo Nam, Kathy Uyen Nguyen, Archie Kao,
Brian
G. Joo, Julia Lee, Sandra Oh, John Cho, Russell Wong, Elizabeth Sung, David Choi, Euna Lee, Karin Anna Cheung, Michelle Krusiec and
others.
The statistics are alarming in terms of how many
women are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Members of
our community suffer further affects due to cultural shame and
silence. For 32 years CPAF has been providing service and support for
these survivors. Now you can help too.
In round one of
voting on facebook, CPAF finished in the top 100 out of a half-million groups.
In round two, the top vote-getter will receive $1 million, with the five
runners-up receiving $100,000. It only takes a few moments to
vote.
HUGE PARKING LOT SALE AT
EAST WEST PLAYERS THEATRE COMPANY WAREHOUSE - THIS SATURDAY, JULY 11!
You have
one last chance this weekend at a great deal on furniture, clothing, and more,
or perhaps grab a piece of theatre history.
East West
Players is moving their costume/props/sets warehouse and needs to
downsize their inventory. They will be holding a parking lot sale this Saturday. If you will be in Los Angeles this
weekend, please stop by and support this great theatre company.
If you want to beef up your play library, there are some
fantastic plays for sale for a very reasonable price! Also there are costumes, period stuff and other random
items. Buy some choice costumes, weird props, rare furniture, pianos and other
random interesting items at a bargain price.
Date:
Saturday, July 11 Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Location: 2338
East 8th Street, LA CA 90021
East West Players theatre company (EWP) is moving its warehouse location, and is needing to unload much of its inventory.Come out and support the theatre this weekend, and get a deal in return.
Many will know that EWP, just completing its 43rd season, is where I got my start and much of my training. It is also where I learned to accept and celebrate my identity, as an Asian American actor. In addition to performing I have understudied, directed, stage managed, designed sets, run lights and sound, and many other tasks. EWP has provided me with more opportunities than I can count, and has done so for many, many other AA performers, writers, directors and designers. Our community of theatre artists would not be what it is or where it is, without this company.
In a small effort of payback, I ask anyone in Southern California to come out this weekend, and maybe take a piece of history home with you.
EWP warehouse/parking lot sale
Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28
9 am to 5 pm
EWP Warehouse (old location)
2338 East 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA90021
Items available: costumes/clothing, shoes, hats, furniture, office
equipment, weird props, fabric, sewing machines, carpets... ALL KINDS OF STUFF!
Thnx! a friend was leaving shanghai so we treated her to a cheesy photo session. i'm supposed to be from the Manchurian imperial court, so that's what i'm sorta wearing in the pic.
