Nimol Bunchan did not set out to be CEO of Cambodia’s premier film production and streaming service. In 2015, Bunchan started with only $1,000 — which she received by pawning her motorcycle — to create Sastra Film’s first project, “Papa.” When “Papa” received a lot of love on social media, Bunchan used it as a showcase to find sponsors for her next projects. Fast forward nine years later, the determined founder has built a media empire that spans multiple subsidiary companies, 700 TV episodes, more than 20 feature films, and many educational projects. With the same grit and resourcefulness Bu ..read more

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a massive party. That’s exactly what Gold House, a nonprofit that is the leading cultural ecosystem powering Asian Pacific creatives, companies, and communities, did.  For its third annual Gold Gala on May 11, Gold House convened over 600 guests, including top Asian Pacific and multicultural leaders, at the historic Music Center in downtown Los Angeles. The gala celebrated Gold House’s A100 list, a yearly showcase of the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific changemakers in c ..read more

In the abundant landscape of comedians, Sierra Katow emerges as a versatile, petite powerhouse with her debut special, “Funt,” a spectacular display of wit, charm, and unabashed self-deprecation. From the moment she steps onto the stage, standing tall at a whopping 5 foot 1, Katow commands our attention with a mischievous grin that outshines her neon yellow top. But don’t be fooled by her diminutive stature; Katow is no flashy comic reliant on gimmicks or trending topics, nor is she a wannabe philosopher obsessed with highbrow metacommentary.  “Funt” is simply an hour of comedy that’s eas ..read more

In the abundant landscape of comedians, Sierra Katow emerges as a petite powerhouse with her debut special, “Funt,” a spectacular display of wit, charm, and unabashed self-deprecation. From the moment she steps onto the stage, standing tall at a whopping 5 foot 1, Katow commands our attention with a mischievous grin that outshines her neon yellow top. But don’t be fooled by her diminutive stature; Katow is no flashy comic reliant on gimmicks or trending topics, nor is she a wannabe philosopher obsessed with highbrow metacommentary.  “Funt” is simply an hour of comedy that’s easy to watch ..read more

Spring is a time of awakening and revival. The books we reviewed here center on overcoming trauma, awakening desires, and redeeming oneself. In other words, the kind of rebirth that a person experiences at least once in their life. The outcome may be triumphant, and it could also look simply like going on with life with loved ones. We hope you find a book you enjoy from this list. Kindling by Traci Chee (HarperCollins, Feb. 27, 2024) Seven child soldiers, now teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, battle one last time. Told through each of their perspectives, the story may be hard to follow at f ..read more

How does one begin to write about Anna May Wong? She was a laundry man’s daughter who became Hollywood’s first Chinese American actress during the Golden Age and eventually an international star. She is usually written as a tragedy: having had to play stereotypes on screen, being rejected from The Good Earth in favor of a white actress in yellowface who would end up winning an Oscar for the performance, and dying after years of alcoholism. These dim parts of her life overshadow her barrier-breaking accomplishments. In biographies and articles with discrepancies, how much is true? Katie Gee Sal ..read more

Kat Lieu, founder of the Subtle Asian Baking Facebook group, never claims to be the expert on authentic Asian baking and cooking. However, what she does claim as her expertise is her own lived experience — the staple ingredient that she brings to her sophomore cookbook, “Modern Asian Kitchen,” which launches on April 9, 2024. But the book isn’t just about food; it honors cultural connection, community, and Asian representation — three things that Lieu always brings to the table. Following “Modern Asian Baking at Home,” Lieu switched from baking to writing a book about cooking. While her new bo ..read more

When Moon Gyet and his mother Low are approached by Gee, a Chinese man who has secured their American citizenship papers, Gyet makes a decision that alters his identity — literally. Lloyd Suh’s play “The Far Country,” running at Berkeley Repertory Theater, captures the nuances of Chinese American immigration in the early 20th century. Gyet becomes Gee’s “paper son” and, over the course of the play, is forced to reckon with the meaning of taking on the last name of another man, as well as the process of immigration through the intense interrogation on Angel Island.  Directed by Jennifer Ch ..read more

Even after over 30 years in front of the camera, actor Lucy Liu shared that she was scared no one would attend her fireside chat with Daniel Dae Kim, hosted at the Sunrise House during the 40th Sundance Film Festival. But she showed up to a packed house hosted by the Sunrise Collective, the line of people barred entry wrapping down the block. Starring in a psychological thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, Liu graced the Sundance Film Festival crowd with her wisdom and honesty while chatting about the film, her approach to acting, and more. Not that she needs an introduction, but Liu is kno ..read more

In the middle of a cloudy Friday afternoon, hours before her midnight set, Audrey Nuna and I are both sitting in an outdoor backstage-slash-alleyway of the Empire Garage in downtown Austin, Texas, on the penultimate day of SXSW. The music festival portion of the event is in full swing all around us. It’s both our first times at the event, so understandably, it’s a little overwhelming. Audrey, whose last name is actually Chu, explains that she was supposed to perform at the festival in 2020. But the day after she was booked, the event was canceled because of COVID. Tonight, she tells me, is her ..read more