Category: Mixplate

Taika Waititi’s ‘Akira’ Sets 2021 Release Date

In the continuing trend of American film adaptations of Japanese media, it seems Akira is the next in line. The choice of Waititi to direct is an interesting one, as he’s mostly known for comedic works, whereas Akira would seem to break away from his usual tone. The specifics of what gets reworked for this adaptation remains to be seen, but there is at least an intent on the director’s part to cast Asian leads mentioned in the article. Hopefully that holds true and the end result is a respectful take on the original if nothing else.

Asian Americans push for Smithsonian gallery of their own

I think this article did a great job at explaining the significance of having this museum space for Asian Americans. The preservation of history and culture that museums provide shows what society deems important to remember and what we value, and in that light the absence of a permanent gallery space for Asian Americans until now is telling in its own way. Smithsonian exhibitions very commonly include elements of pop culture, with the article giving mention to artists like Jay Park and the band Hiroshima.

‘Joy Luck Club’ Producer Reveals a Sequel Script Has Been Written 25 Years Later

After watching the movie last week I found this story that there is apparently work being done to produce a sequel, either for a movie or a TV series, with the same cast. The decision is an interesting one, since the film was based on a novel, and the novel doesn’t have a sequel, meaning whatever they intend to do with this project will be to stray away from the author’s original story and try to create new stories with the characters and ideas established by Amy Tan. Seeing a work pulled away from it’s original creator like this always gives me some uneasiness, but there’s still the potential that whatever comes out of it (if anything actually does) could be genuinely good, and the idea of extending the generational themes of the original story to include a third generation is not without merit.

Phil Yu Of ‘Angry Asian Man’: ‘Don’t Let Anyone Else Tell Your Story’

This article focuses on Yu, whose blog has highlighted the mistreatment of Asian Americans since 2001, and how he successfully leveraged the internet’s potential to unite distant and disconnected people towards a common cause. Notably, the title of the blog was chosen so as to tell Asian American people that they can defy the stereotypes they face as meek and quiet and have every right to be and act angry.

One Way That Crazy Rich Asians Is a Step Backward

Having not seen the movie myself I’m not really qualified to give my own thoughts on how the movie handles the things this article brings up. I think it’s interesting though that in the response to the film I’ve heard a lot of extreme praise and extreme criticism, from people who think it’s an important step in diversifying American cinema, and from people who think it missteps more often than not. For my own part I believe it’s entirely possible that it’s both: it can be a victory for inclusivity while not being on its own the most perfect execution of its ideals.

‘Cowboy Bebop’: John Cho, Mustafa Shakir Among Four Cast in Netflix Live-Action Series

Having John Cho on the mind after watching Better Luck Tomorrow, I remembered reading recently that he had been cast in the lead role of Netflix’s live action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop. This was hailed as something of a victory in the wake of casting decisions like Scarlett Johansson leading Ghost in the Shell, and similar instances of white actors taking leading roles in adaptations of Japanese media.