Sandra Oh Wins Diversity Awards
Korean American actress Sandra Oh has won the “Creative Liberty” award from the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s Diversity Awards. The organization aims to foster cultural and intellectual diversity in the film industry.
Oh caught attention with her performances in the ABC hit drama Grey’s Anatomy and the surprise movie hit Sideways this year.
Among other winners was Paul Haggis, who directed the widely acclaimed Crash with its realistic portrayal of racial conflict. The black American actor Terrence Howard takes the “Renaissance Artist” award for his role as a pimp with a heart in Hustle and Flow. Child actor Dakota Fanning and black actor Tyrese Gibson receive the “Nova” award for newcomers.
The “Visionary” and “Comedic Nova” awards go to director Malcolm Lee and actor Carlos Mencia.
The MMPA encourages diversity in vision, story and creation.
Foreigner at Taiwan Awards
TAIPEI, Taiwan –– This year’s best actress nominees at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards were Shu Qi, Miriam Yeung, Chen Shiang-chyi –– and Michelle Krusiec.
Although she did not win, Krusiec’s surname stands out, but she is ethnic Chinese, Taiwanese-born but raised in the United States by her aunt and uncle.
She was nominated for her performance as a Chinese American lesbian juggling the demands of her girlfriend and widowed mother in the U.S. independent film Saving Face. Her TV credits include ER, Cold Case, Without a Trace and Monk.
She has said when she portrayed generic Chinese immigrant roles, she based them on her aunt so they would be realistic.
“Although some may consider them stereotypical, I actually took a lot of pride in playing those characters because I was told initially I couldn’t play them,” said Krusiec, 31, whose Chinese name is Yang Ya-huei.
More Actors are Kung Fu Fighting
Casting is wrapping up for DreamWorks Pictures’ future animation pro Kung Fu Panda, and Jack Black is getting an Asian or two in his supporting cast. Daily Variety reports Jackie Chan, Ian McShane, Dustin Hoffman, and possibly, Lucy Liu, who is still in negotiations, will join him.
Black will voice Po, the title character, a panda that is the laziest animal in the Valley of Peace, but when enemies appear, the martial arts masters are startled to learn that Po is the chosen one. Hoffman will be his Kung Fu Master, Shifu; Chan will voice the character of Master Monkey, a heroic Kung Fu Warrior; and Liu is being courted to play Master Viper, a teacher who may hold the key to making Po the warrior he must become.
McShane plays the bad guy, Tai Lung, a snow leopard that threatens the Valley of Peace.
Suzuki Watercolors on Display
EVENT: Suzuki Watercolor Open Studio
BACKGROUND: Lewis Suzuki is a well-known Japanese American watercolor artist. His paintings have been shown nationally, including the De Young Museum.
INTERESTING: Colorful watercolor paintings, and some of Suzuki’s earlier posters in celebration of his 85th birthday. He captures the spirit of San Francisco in many of his paintings.
DETAILS: Free, weekends Nov. 29 - Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., or by appointment, 2240 Grant St., Berkeley, (510) 849-1427.
‘Naked in Ashes’
EVENT: Naked in Ashes premieres
BACKGROUND: Filmmaker Paula Fouce details the lives of the yogis of India in her new documentary, Naked in Ashes. Fouce is a practicing Buddhist who has traveled extensively, including Nepal and India.
INTERESTING: Film follows several yogis keep their 5,000-year-old tradition alive.
DETAILS: Opens Dec. 2, Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael, www.cafilm.org.