May 23rd, 2007
Telling Our Family Stories
Many years ago I watched an early film by Martin Scorsese called Italianamerican. It’s basically an extended interview of his parents speaking about their lives back in Italy and in America. When I watched it, it made me want to tell the stories of my own family. For a long time, I’ve wanted to create a documentary about my grandparents. I’d like to tell of their lives back in Korea, their journey to first Brazil and then to the U.S., and their lives here in the U.S. with their children and their grandchildren. I’ve put off the project for a long time, mostly because I knew that to do it right would mean investing a lot of time that I didn’t have. But lately I’ve been thinking that I’m going to make an effort to get this thing off the ground soon…
That’s why I’m so excited of an upcoming event at the library. One of my professional goals is to develop interesting events for the community I serve. Since I have an academic background in film studies, my natural inclination is to create programming that somehow incorporates films. A couple of months ago I started thinking about putting together an event to celebrate APA Heritage Month at the library. A friend told me about this filmmaker named Vivian Wong and suggested that I contact her. Thankfully, when I contacted Vivian she was very receptive to the idea of driving all the way out to Thousand Oaks from LA (in heavy traffic!) to show some short documentary films dealing with the Asian American experience and give a short presentation titled “Uncovering Ourselves: Storytelling Through Oral History and Family Photos.”
The event is this Thursday night and I’m very excited about it! I’ve seen the films that are being screened tomorrow and they’re all so moving in their own way. They include:
No Vacancy
An intimate look at a South Asian family who owns and manages a motel in South Central LA. Directed by Tina Bhaga, Elena Bovetti, and Alexandra Lewis, 11 minutes, 2004.Selling Louie’s Village
One family’s experience of owning and operating a Chinese Restaurant in small town Oregon. Directed by Jason Mak, 14 minutes, 2004.Metros Es Para Todos: Grandma Hee Pok Kim & The Bus Riders’ Union
Hee Pok Kim, an elderly LA Koreatown denizen, recounts her growing sense of political involvement as a result of her activities with the Bus Riders’ Union. Directed by Eurie Chung, 8 minutes, 2006.Beyond the Sea
The story of three Filipino Navy men and the impact their military service had on them and their families. Directed by Mark Villegas, Gena Hamamoto, and Kristina Nierva, 10 minutes, 2006.Homecoming
A personal documentary that recounts the filmmaker’s experience as a second-generation Chinese American and her relationship to her grandmother from Malaysia. Directed by Vivian Wong, 8 minutes, 2005.
It should be a great night. Hope to see you there!
Rich — I wish we lived closer to you guys (did I say that before?)… I would *totally* go to these awesome events you’re organizing!
Dan, I wish you guys lived closer too
Sometimes it feels like T.O. is so detached from LA and the rest of southern California, which can be a good and bad thing!
Hi Richard,
Thanks again for organizing the event. I hope you and the community enjoyed the evening as much as I did.
Best,
Vivian
It was great having you Vivian! Thank you again!