The Chinese Massacre Of 1871 Comes To The Big Screen

The Jade Pendant - Poster

Oct. 24th marks the anniversary of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 where a mob of around 500 white rioters entered Los Angeles, Chinatown to attack, rob, and murder Chinese residents of the city. An estimated 20 Chinese immigrants were tortured and then hanged by the racially motivated riot mob. The initial conviction was unlawfully overturned and no one has ever been held accountable for the murders.

"The Jade Pendant," a novel by L.P. Leung, is based on these true events and will open in limited theaters Nov. 3rd. The film stars Asian talents such as South Korean star Clara Lee (Some Like it Hot),Taiwanese heartthrob Godfrey Gao (The Mortal Instruments), Russel Wong (Romeo must Die), screen legends Tsai Chin (Now you See Me 2, The Joy Luck Club) and Tzi Ma (Arrival, Pali Road). 

"The story of the Jade Pendant is a part of American history that has been untold and we are very excited to bring diversity and quality story-telling to audiences in North America," said Jonathan Lim of Crimson Forest Films.

The Jade Pendant is directed by Hong Kong veteran Po-Chih Leong (The Detonator, Out of Reach) and follows the journey of a young girl, Peony, who flees an arranged marriage in China and finds herself on the shores of America.

The Jade Pendant was produced by Thomas Leong, Scott M. Rosenfelt, LP Leung and Bruce Feirsteinfor Lotus Entertainment and will open at the 4 Star Theatre in San Francisco, AMC Atlantic Times Square 14 in Los Angeles and AMC Empire 25 in New York City on Nov. 3rd. 

• For more information please visit bit.ly/2yL0HHk

SOURCE: Crimson Forest Films

The Trailers:

#MeToo Campaign Not Slowing Down Anytime Soon, But Now What?

S.H.E. Speak.Heal.Empower (via sharikarney.com)

After the recent Harvey Weinstein sexual allegations have come to light, the floodgates have opened with celebrities using the hashtag #MeToo creating a social-media viral sensation. Many of us have seen and are shocked to hear of female family members, friends and co-workers coming forward publicly on-line with personal sexual abuse and harassment stories. Karney believes, "If men stand with us too, we can stop the sexual assault of women."

"An NBC movie, 'Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story' starring Melissa Gilbert, was written based on the abuse that happened when I was a child. People in my inner circle who never confided in me are using social media now to find their voice but we can't do it alone," said Shari Karney, attorney and legal pundit.

Shari Karney led the charge of changing the laws in California in 1991 and didn't stop there. Karney worked with 40 other states so that survivors across the nation now have legal rights as well. Karney successfully lobbied and testified in Washington D.C. for a Children's Bill of Rights.

"Now what? Men stand with us too! If you are sickened and shocked at what you are reading and hearing about through the #MeToo campaign, be the voice of honor and reason. You can be the ones to hold bosses, co-workers, family members, coaches and churches' feet to the fire. Men listen to other men. Please, be the good man you are and stand with us #MenWithYouToo," said Shari Karney. 

"Basic civil rights laws must be enacted to hold perpetrators accountable and give victims justice. We need to remove statutes of limitations for criminal and civil actions so survivors of sexual violence can have their day in court," said Karney.

Shari Karney (via sharikarney.com)

About Shari Karney :
Shari Karney is an attorney, on-air legal pundit, author, speaker, entrepreneur and activist for victims' rights. A widely respected legal expert, analyst and commentator on breaking news cases, she has appeared on hundreds of television and radio news programs. 

• Visit sharikarney.com. 
• Follow Shari on Facebook facebook.com/Shari Karney or Twitter @sharikarney .

SOURCE: Shari Karney

Bonus Videos:

The Asian World Film Festival Announces the World Premiere of Finding Julia Starring Vietnamese Actor/Singer, Ha Phuong, October 28

Actress Ha Phuong

The Third Annual Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) announced the world premiere of Vietnamese superstar Ha Phuong's film Finding Julia. The film is scheduled to screen at the Arclight in Culver City on October 28 at 7:00 PM.

Finding Julia stars Ha Phuong, Andrew McCarthy (Dir: Orange is the New Black, The Blacklist, Pretty In Pink, Mannequin), Richard Chamberlain (Twin Peaks, Thorn Birds, Shogun) and Kieu Chinh (The Joy Luck Club). The film was conceived by Ha Phuong, based upon her experience of immigrating to the US and trying to live the American way of life during her younger years.

The red-carpet event will be attended by Ha Phuong, co-star Richard Chamberlain, actress and screenwriter Kieu Chinh, director Igor Sunara, actresses Minh Ngoc Nguyen and Lauren Pham (young Julia), Susan Batson (co-producer and acting coach), Leyna Nguyen (CBS anchor), producer Alan VoFord, costume design Bao Tran Chi, make-up artist Gordon Banh, editors Gil Choi and David Van and film attorney George Rush.

Asian Film Festival

Film Synopsis [Short Version]: 

In Manhattan, Eurasian acting student Julia Chamonix (Ha Phuong) is unable to enjoy the privileged life she shares with her doting father (Andrew McCarthy). Haunted by the tragic early death of her mother-a former star actress and singer in Vietnam-and likewise haunted by a secret desire she must hide from the world, her only confidante is her Vietnamese grandmother (Kieu Chinh). 

Caught between two very different cultures, East and West, Julia questions if she will ever fit in anywhere. As she attempts to understand who she is, Julia begins to forge a more confident identity from both parts of her birthright.

Film Synopsis [Longer Version]: 

(Via Ha Phuong World)

Beautiful, rich and sad. In Manhattan, Eurasian acting student Julia Chamonix (Ha Phuong) is unable to enjoy the privileged life she shares with her doting father (Andrew McCarthy). Haunted by the tragic early death of her mother–a former star actress and singer in Vietnam–and likewise haunted by a secret desire she has to hide from the world, Julia struggles in her acting studies under renowned coach Igor (Richard Chamberlain).

However, her ambitions to emulate her mother’s success are thwarted by her severe difficulties with the English language. Her only confidante is her wise Vietnamese grandmother (Kieu Chinh), but even with her she limits what she confides. Meanwhile she begins to experience recurrent nightmares in which she relives the car accident that killed her mother.

Caught between two very different cultures, East and West, Julia questions if she will ever fit in anywhere. As she attempts to understand who she is and how to forge a more confident identity from both parts of her birthright, her father falls in love with an American woman, Jennifer (Paula Devicq). Fearing abandonment, Julia’s secret obsession spirals out of control as she hears voices berating her and playing into her darkest fears.

When her grandmother suddenly dies, and an accident causes another unexpected death, Julia is brought to the edge of madness. Will her life also end tragically, or will she be able to overcome her terrible duality? Where will she go and how will she finally find peace?

The surprising conclusion to the heart-pounding drama makes it not only an unforgettable story, but also, on the deepest subconscious levels, speaks to the plight of millions of men, women, young adults and teens who are caught between cultures, who likewise feel “different,” and who are struggling to find a place in the world.

• All films at the Festival will be screened at the Arclight Cinemas in Downtown Culver City (9500 Culver Blvd.) Sponsors include Presenting Partner Ha Phuong Foundation, as well as the city of Culver City, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Variety, East West Bank, RK Media (Radio & TV Korea), the Arclight Theatres, Emporium Thai Restaurant (Los Angeles) and AWFF host venue, the historic Culver Hotel.

SOURCE: Asian World Film Festival   

The Trailers:

Bonus Video:

"Dog Park" Director Jade Jenise Dixon Says #MeToo

Director Jade Jenise Dixon

As Director Jade Jenise Dixon's feature film, Dog Park, enjoys a limited theatrical run and is released to high praise on both Amazon Video and Google Play, Jade has been closely watching the news about the sexual abuse of power in Hollywood with her eyes wide open.

Director, Jade Jenise Dixon

"I've been watching all of this unfold with tears in my eyes because I never thought Hollywood's 'dirty little secret' would come to light," says Jade. Like countless other women in Hollywood, Jade can finally speak freely about the subject. "You just couldn't speak about this stuff openly before. Now I can stand with countless other women and say, 'Me Too.'"

Now that the dirt is coming out from under the rug, Jade is hopeful that things will continue to get better, and is thankful for the people who work with her based on her talent. "There are also the 'good guys' who just want to make great movies or TV shows and truly value everyone equally for what they bring to the table. And for those people, I am truly grateful."

Jade Jenise Dixon on set with cinematographer

The Los Angeles Times says that in Jade's latest feature film, Dog Park, "Dixon displays a solid point of view with a refreshing perspective centered around women's success and choices."

A Romantic Comedy about a man who uses his ex-girlfriends dog to pick up women at the dog park, Dog Park, also won "Best Ensemble Cast" at the 2017 Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival. 

Dog Park movie poster

Dog Park, is now available on Amazon Video and Google Play. More video platforms will be added in the coming months via distributor, Indie Rights and sales agent, California Pictures.

• Dog Park on Amazon Video
• Dog Park on Google Play 
• IMDB

SOURCE: Parker Street Productions

The Trailer:

National Press Club Examines 2016 Russian Election Hacking at a Headliners Book Rap Featuring Donna Brazile on December 12th

Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House

As investigations in Congress and by Special Counsel Robert Mueller continue, one of the targets of the hacking into the Democratic National Committee's computer network, Donna Brazile, is telling her story. The former DNC chair and longtime Democratic Party strategist shares her personal account of the 2016 Presidential election.

Brazile will appear at a National Press Club Headliners Book Rap on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Club's Conference Rooms to discuss

Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House, which will be published next month on the one-year anniversary of the 2016 election.

Publisher, Hachette Books, calls the book "equal parts campaign thriller, memoir and roadmap for the future." And Brazile adds, "At a moment when our democracy is in crisis, it's time to tell the truth about what went wrong in 2016. Our nation is under unprecedented assault, and if we don't get the facts out, it will happen again."

Donna Brazile

This event will feature a discussion with the author, an audience question-and-answer session, and a book signing. Tickets are $5 for National Press Club members and $10 for the general public. 

• To purchase tickets and copies of the book, please click here. Books will also be available for purchase at the event, no outside books or memorabilia are permitted.

Proceeds from this event benefit the non-profit affiliate of the Club, the National Press Club Journalism Institute, which offers innovative, practical training to journalists and communications professionals working in a rapidly-changing media environment.

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB LOGO.  (PRNewsfoto/National Press Club)

SOURCE: National Press Club