Food Porn in China

Food. How can I miss terrific food when traveling in China? It’s only fitting to dedicate this entry just for food, to continue my previous entry about Harbin. Coincidently, I just watched the "301, 302" (삼공일, 삼공이 | South Korea 1995 | in Korean | 100 min.) yesterday. So, I am inspired to cook and write about cooking and food, but not in the Korean way as in the film. Ha ha. Eating in China is an exquisite and privileged experience. In China, the vegetables are smaller, fresher, and more favorable compared similar varieties in the US. I think most of the vegetables in the US have been generically engineered for the sake of transportation, storage, and sale—for example, the US manages to grow green peppers in homogenous huge size for the stores to sell them individually, but they taste like paper soaking in water. One thing I enjoy the most is to go to the famer’s market to get fresh vegetables everyday. Some of them are not cheap in the freezing winter—almost the same price as in San Francisco. However, they are fresh and beautiful. Sometimes, I simply cannot get them in the US even I am willing to pay more. For example, garlic scape (蒜苔) is one of the items that I almost cannot find anywhere in the US, yet, it’s everywhere in Beijing. I am full of joy when I stir-fry them to satisfy my craving. It’s one of those comforting food that brings back childhood memories while they are also healthy and delicious, unlike the junk food in fast food joints. On new Chinese Year’s Eve, we cooked many dishes to fill the entire table. That’s the holiday spirit, even without the turkey and my own kitchen. However, I eat out more often than I cook at home, because there are just so many sophisticated dishes that are too troublesome to prepare myself, even with my passion for cooking. The growing gap between rich and poor in China also reflects in food. I can find excellent dishes either at very traditional hundred-year-old restaurants or at street vendors at dirty cheap price. I might also easily spend an arm or a leg if I walk into a place next door. One day at a lunch in a restaurant, I am trying to find out why this meatball (狮子头) costs so much—188 Yuan (about $28) just for this single one small ball. It tastes just like a meatball, really. I probably can cook it just as good, if not better. Fancy or down to earth, expensive or economy, homemade or restaurant ordered, exotic or ordinary, these foods all give me great pleasure, and my food porn photos serve my deep-fried memory. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf During this trip, I didn’t had a penis feast like last time when I was in China couple years ago. However, I pretty much get a chance to take care all my desires for food with something delicious in my mouth day after day when I travel in China. We are what we eat. Yes, I know.

Yes, It’s Very Cold in Harbin

While I am thinking to make another trip to China, I just realize that I am still procrastinating about organizing the pictures I took in February/March in China. It has been more than two months since I came back. The summer is almost here, even I can never feel that summer heat in San Francisco. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to bring ice and snow back from my visit to my hometown Harbin (哈尔滨). I went back for the Chinese New Year last February, in a record bitter cold. However, that is one of the best Chinese New Years I ever had—with everybody in the family together on Chinese New Year’s Eve, just like the old days. It has not been easy for this gathering to happen. In Harbin, walking on those familiar yet foreign streets in the cold, I am brought back in time. Vast amount of memories flashback into my mind. Some of them are sweet, some of them are poignant, and some of them are blur. However, all of them are precious. I enjoy the visit, even the freezing cold gets me from time to time. I am glad to be able to spend some time with family, and childhood friends who I have not seen for a long time. I feel sad when I see some neighborhoods are still as shabby as the old days. Visiting the Ice and Snow Festival is fun, but it is also a torture. Every time I take a picture, I must immediately put my hands back to my pockets to warm myself up. Otherwise, I feel my fingers are about to fall off my hand. But, it’s spectacular. No place is like Harbin. No experience can substitute a visit to this city that has a unique personality. The ice room at Shangri-La Hotel is a charming gem. The entire place is made from ice, therefore, it’s actually outdoors. Ice wall, ice table, ice bench, ice bar, ice piano, and ice me if I sit on that bench a little longer. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf No matter where I will go and where I will end up, I will always have a spot in my heart for my hometown—Harbin. Sure it’s cold in the winter, but Harbin warms my heart.

Bay to Breakers and Bad News from China

Asian Heritage Street Celebration I don’t know how many people in the US are actually aware of that May is the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). It’s the law, although it’s one that is hard to break. If one doesn’t live in San Francisco, this APAHM is probably even more ignorable. In that regard, I am lucky to live in the City, because not only this month is celebrated with a wide range activities throughout the month in the City, also there is a street fair last weekend. Although it’s nothing out of ordinary, but it’s simply awesome to get out and to participate, to support, and to celebrate. And, of course, to be proud. I couldn’t stop giggling when I was taking a picture of them holding this sing. Too bad I didn’t have a $20 bill in my wallet, and they don’t accept credit card. And yesterday, May 19, was the National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. I bet there are even less people know that such a day even exist. Bay to Breakers Last Sunday was the 99th Bay to Breakers (B2B). I decided to skip the hiking in Marin Headlands, but to join the fun in the Golden Gate Park intead. However, I did something different this year. Although I didn’t dress up like a salmon, I still went against the flow, starting from the finish point at the Ocean Beach and walked all the way back to the downtown. This way, I could see most of the crazy costumes and drunken people. Secondly, I would end up closer to home in the end, because fighting with the drunken crowd on a bus is not an easy task. Like always, the B2Bers just make me smile. There are a lot creative people with amazing costumes. Certainly, there are also plenty who prefer nothing at all. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf It had a blast and I am already looking forward the 100th Bay to Breakers next year! New Toy Out of blue, I suddenly want a new toy—a handheld blender, to make sauce and purees. The hand held one seems much easier to clean compared to the regular blender I have. Compulsively, I bought one back right the way. The first dish I made was a carrot onion soup. I always enjoy this simple but flavorful soup on a chilly day. I also like the orange color and the nutrition I think I will be getting. I have never made a soup like this before, it’s definitely not a Chinese dish. But how difficult can this be? It’s almost the simplest thing one can do. Yet, the restaurant can charge around $10 bucks per order. First, pan seared some carrots and purple onion, with a pinch salt and a little bit oil. Then move them to a pot and add some more water, bring to a boil, and stick my new toy in it and start to destroy! A few minutes later, I got the perfect soup. Creamy, sweet, and delicious. With some slow braised bayback ribs, pan seared lotus root, mixed rice, dinner is ready. More Bad News From China There have been several gruesome killing innocent children in China recently. There is a report that 13 students are slashed by cleavers in another dormitory rampage. Although no report of casualty yet, two of them are in serious condition. It’s extremely terrifying and sad at the same time. You don’t expect people come to your dorm and chop your hands off. People keep saying this is a mental health issue and characterize those killers as "insane" or "crazy." I beg to differ. They are not crazy. They are reaching the end of the rope and desperate. Their despair overwhelms them and they want to do something unthinkable to draw some attention. With the gap between rich and poor in China keeps widening. It has reached to an alarming point that Gini coefficient is 0.47 in China. The economical condition will further result in more social problems. Remember how the communist party overturned the old government and build the new China? Chairman Mao relied on the vast working classes who had almost nothing and demanded a re-distribution of the wealth. Will the history repeat itself? More disturbing news I read the last few days. A 21-year-old young man jumped off the builder to his death few days ago, and became the 9th worker who tried to commit suicide this year (seven died) at Foxconn Technology Group in Shenzhen, China. I feel very sad for these workers and their families. and a Chinese professor is sent to jail for organizing sex parties at his own house. How is that Chinese government’s business? However China is having all kinds of problems, I still love China. I hope China can overcome and progress. I find some airline tickets that are less than $600 (round trip). I am so tempting to visit China again this Fall. I should go. The City of Your Final Destination What would you expect when a group of Academy Award winners and nominees come together to make a film about an upper-class writer’s family affair? If Masterpiece Theatre on PBS comes to your mind, you are probably not too far off when you watch the quiet and good-looking melodrama "The City of Your Final Destination" (USA 2009 | 118 min.), based on a novel by Peter Cameron. After a renowned writer Jules Gund commits suicide, he leaves a remote farm estate in Uruguay to his family. The family members who live a quiet life on the premises include Gund’s widow Caroline (Laura Linney), Gund’s mistress Arden (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and their daughter Portia, Gund’s brother Adam (Anthony Hopkins), and Adam’s lover of 25 years Peter (Hiroyuki Sanada) since Peter was 15. Gund and his mysterious family become the subject of interest for a Ph.D. graduate student Omar (Omar Metwally) who desperately needs the authorization from the family in order to write a Gund’s authorized autobiography. After being denied by the family, Omar is commanded by his bossy girlfriend Deirdre (Alexandra Maria Lara) and shows up at the estate hoping to convince the family to change their mind. Omar’s unannounced visit not only disturbs the calm country life, but also ignites love interest in Arden. The plot certainly lacks the gravitation and credibility. Does anybody care one way or the other how the story might turn out to any of these privileged characters? However, the film is still pleasant to watch due to the great performance from the award winning actors, the gorgeous cinematography, and even the beautiful music scores. Watching Laura Linney‘s superb acting as Caroline, the masterminded, sharp tongued, yet emotionally traumatized widow, you sense the injustice that Laura Linney still does not have an Oscar even she has been nominated for three times. The film is like an Academy Award after party which full of the awardees and nominees. The film is directed by the three-time Academy Award nominated director James Ivory; written by two-time Academy Award winning screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala; played by Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins, three-time Academy Award nominee Laura Linney, and Academy Award nominee Norma Aleandro; original music by Academy Award winner Jorge Drexler; and collaborated with many more award winning artists. Let’s hope Laura Linney will finally get her trophy this time. "The City of Your Final Destination" opens on Friday, May 21, 2010 at Bay Area theaters. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/QIhFvZ-XUro&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18 MacGruber It is no easy task to spin off a feature film from Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketches, especially to make the film funny. The fact that SNL has been a sleepy yawn during the last few seasons does not help either. Therefore, it is a bold move to turn a not-so-hyped SNL character MacGruber into a motion picture. The gamble pays off. "MacGruber" (USA 2010 | 99 min.) is a hilarious goofy ball that makes you laugh while make your to shake heads in disbelief. As the character MacGruber normally does in SNL, this film also needs him to defuse some kind of explosive. This time, it is a missile smuggled from the Russians. MacGruber (Will Forte) has been "dead" for ten years since his wife (Maya Rudolph) was blown away on their wedding day by Cunth (Val Kilmer), for a reason that will make you laugh. Cunth obtains a nuclear missile from the Russians and plans to blow up the capital on the night of the President’s State of Union address. MacGruber is regarded as the most qualified person to take up the saving the nation challenge. He is back to the action from his death and teamed up with straight-faced Lt. Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and his old friend Vicki (Kristen Wiig). No matter how dangerous the situation is, MacGruber always remembers to take his radio out of his car and carries it around. Probably everybody, not only the guard in the film, gets surprised when the celery stalks are used creatively. Why celery? Although the jokes are sometimes raunchy, offensive, and even outrageous, they are laugh out funny. Some scenes might have lingered too long to gross out the audience—if you ever get shot, maybe you just want to leave the bullet in your body if you are with Vicki. However, we all know what to expect in this film if we have seen MacGruber on SNL. Adding video game type of violence and shouting out the f-words on the big screen is what SNL can never come to close. Along the way, the film manages to be funny, that is what really counts after all. "MacGruber" opens on Friday, May 21, 2010 at Bay Area theaters. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/bqySbDqTGGc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18

Vote NO on Proposition 16

Election I got the mail-in ballot for the June election few days ago. I think the whole primary election process is a wasting of tax payer’s money—it always have the lowest turn out, and some measures are able to sneak through without the voters’ full comprehension. Therefore, I am writing an endorsement for these propositions. Vote NO on Proposition 13: Limits on property tax assessment for seismic improvement. If property owners make their house earthquake safe, it increases the value of the house, right? Why shouldn’t they pay tax on the increased value? If they don’t want to do it because they don’t want to increase their property tax, well, don’t. See who the loser is when an earthquake strikes. Vote YES on Proposition 14: Allow voters to vote on all candidates regardless their party affiliation. The two-party-system is a joke. Many candidates have different views on various issues that are not necessarily belong to a particular party. Why shouldn’t everyone choose one they support the most, if we can not eliminate the primary election? Vote NO on Proposition 15: Allow public money to be spent on the election of Secretary of the State. It is complicated proposal and sounds fishy to me, it also favors the two big party candidates. If the voters already voted before baring tax money to spend on campaign, keep it that way. Vote HELL NO on Proposition 16: Require 2/3 voters approval for a public utility company to compete with PG&E. I have been disgusted by the constant TV ads, not surprisingly paid by PG&E, that misleads the voters about this proposition’s true intension. This proposition, which only needs 1/2 voters to pass, will requires 2/3 of voters to make any changes in the futures regarding if we should use clean energy to compete with PG&E. It has nothing to do if voter has the right to say about how the tax dollars should be spent. Vote NO on Proposition 17: Allow auto insurance to set base rate based on a customer’s continuous coverage. Even I don’t have a car, I will not support the insurance’s proposal. I will have to be hooked to a particular insurance even I don’t like them or I don’t have a car for awhile, otherwise, when I return, I have to pay a higher price because I didn’t pay them continuously. Absurd. Vote! Signature Gathering for Fix MUNI Now I have been collection signatures for Fix MUNI Now to put a ballot measure on the November election—get rid of the current requirement that the City must pay MUNI employees the second highest in the nation, no matter how lousy the service has become. Why do they deserve that? Even the socialism doesn’t have that kind of guarantee. No wonder the city is so broke. I actually went to the MUNI budget hearing at City Hall on Wednesday, but I didn’t stay long because there are enough people were there blasting the incompetent MUNI service. What is weird is that there is this guy always come to the speaker whenever a public input is called. He will go up there and sing a song about the subject, pretty badly. This is San Francisco. Crazy but never boring. Fix MUNI now! Three Heads Six Arms There is a new art work by Chinese artist Zhang Huan installed in Civic Center Plaza. This is normally seen at 798 in Beijing. It’s a three-story high, 15-ton giant "Three Heads Six Arms" Buddha. It’s intriguing and in your face loud. I am sure it will draw more attention when many events are held at Civic Center. Speaking of events, I will be going there tomorrow (ops, it’s Saturday already!) for the annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration. Then on Sunday, it’s the 99th Bay to Breakers! I am so there! The Good, the Bad, the Weird (좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈) Once upon a time, Hollywood begins to shamelessly remake Asian films. Not surprisingly, few of them, if any at all, have exceeded their originals. Otherwise, Hollywood would have created something original at the first place. What to do? How about get a lesson from an Asian director on remaking a film? Inspired by the classic western "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo | Italy 1966), acclaimed Korean director Kim Jee-woon writes and directs an over the top Korean style western "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" (좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈 | South Korea 2008 | in Korean | 130 min.). The film turns out to be anything but a remake. It is utterly original, immensely entertaining, visually rich, laugh-out-loud hilarious, and outrageously exhilarating. It easily takes a spot in this year’s top ten films even the year is still young. The film is set in the Japanese occupied Manchuria in 1930s, where bandits and ethnic clans appear frequently along the railroad tracks. As the title suggests, the film has three protagonists. However, it is not a clear cut about who is the good, who is the bad, although definitely all of them are a little bit weird. The three Korean men are a bounty hunter Park Do-won (Jung Woo-sung) who captures criminals for money, a bandit leader Park Chang-yi (Lee Byung-hun) who wants to be second to no one, and a robber Yoon Tae-goo (Song Kang-ho) who can sneak out just about any crisis unharmed. The bandit leader Chang-yi is supposed to bring back a map that has been falling into the hands of the Japanese. However, before Chang-yi can lay a finger on the map, it is stolen by the cunning thief Tae-goo, who believes that it shows the location of great treasure. However, Tae-goo is captured by the bounty hunter Do-won. A cat-mouse chasing game begins, joining in by other gangs and the Japanese army with non-stop actions and explosions. Meanwhile, none of them actually knows what that map is for. Well, there is no time to worry about that. Their lives are always attached by a thin line that might break in any second. The film’s is irresistibly captivating and genuinely funny. At the opening of the film, before the film explains who these characters are, they are already shooting at each other on a train. The director understands the confusion we might have, so he uses one of the Chinese clan leader to speak for us—he asks his assistant in Chinese while observing the battle from afar: "Do you know what is going on?" That is the tune of the humor in the film. Even this is one of the most expensive films ever made in Korean, its $17 millions budget seems a pocket change in a Hollywood production. It deserves to be seen on the big screen in a theater to be fully appreciated for its magnificence, even one has never heard about the film "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." This is how a remake should be done. Take notes, Hollywood. "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" opens on Friday, May 7, 2010 at Bay Area theaters. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Zjm9gAjgRuU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18 Mother and Child The bond between a mother and a child is probably the most profound and universal human relationship. Some mothers experience this bond with their biological children or with their adopted children, and some others suffer the emotional impact after giving their children up for adoption. From the creator of "Six Feet Under" and "Nine Lives," writer/director Rodrigo García‘s absorbing drama "Mother and Child" (USA/Spain 2009 | 126 min.) carefully depicts this unique human relationship through a few rich and memorable characters and three intertwined stories. The film’s three subplots are all set in Los Angeles. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) is a young ambitious and smart lawyer who knows how to take control by using not only her intelligence, but also her sex appeal; Karen (Annette Bening) is a bitter and difficult woman who is tormented by the longing to her never-seen daughter who was given up for adoption at birth by her mother decades ago, when Karen was only fourteen years old; Lucy (Kerry Washington) wants to be a mother but is unable to conceive. Out of desperation, she plans to adopt a child from a college student through an adoption agency. Believe it or not, the three stories are predictably connected to each other, while sharing a common theme related to motherhood and adoption. However, this convenience in plot is easily forgiven due to the strong characters involved in these stories and terrific across-the-board performance. Well written and convincing dialogues also contribute to the success of shaping these remarkable roles. Each woman in the film has a strong personality. In particular, Annette Bening‘s character Karen stands out. Her journey to find peace and closure with her past could have easily become sentimental. Yet, Annette Bening’s subtle and calibrated acting perfectly holds the character’s balance. Perhaps Rodrigo García already tells enough stories (also intertwined tales about three families) regarding male relationship in his previous film "Fathers and Sons," in this film, he focuses on female relationship in a family, even he does not choose a title like "Mothers and Daughters." Whether between fathers and sons or between mothers and daughters, Rodrigo García’s observant studies about the most fundamental human relationship are worth noting. "Mother and Child" opens on Friday, May 14, 2010 at Bay Area theaters. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/PyWFxUkPpag&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18

Bon Voyage, Kaiwo Maru!

Wrap up the 53rd SFiFF The two week long the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (SFiFF) came to an end on Thursday night. It was a good time at Castro Theater screening the closing night documentary "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" (USA 2010 | 84 min.). However, the Q&A afterwards with the directors and Joan Rivers herself was even more fun than the film. It was entertaining and hilarious. One Asian guy stood up and told Joan Rivers: "I came all the way from Palo Alto to see you, and I want to tell you that you are my world!" Joan Rivers replied: "An old Jewish woman?" The audience laughed to the floor. I took a photo of her when she was leaving the Castro Theater. Honestly, I cared less about Joan Rivers before the screening—to me, she was just a rich celebrity who wants to cheat her age with knives slicing on her face again and again. The film changed my perception about her completely. I learned that she is charismatic, funny, energetic, and strong willed woman, who wants to look young and fabulous regardless the cost. That’s a strong and unique personality that very few can compare. I also want to congratulate Fan Lixin for his superb and poignant documentary "Last Train Home" winning the Golden Gate Award in the Investigative Documentary Feature Category. After the closing night film, I took the bus to the closing night party. I made a mistake to walk through the shabby 6th Street south of Market Street—many homeless looking people loitering on the sidewalks. I walked as fast as I could, kept an eye on my surroundings. I was nervous, especially after recent attacks on Asians by black people, and almost all of these people happen to be black. Perhaps I walked too fast, I didn’t get to stop right the way to pickup my film festival badge on my neck that I forgot to put away after the film screening. A black guy on the sidewalk picked it up and ran away with it#&8212;he must have thought there were money in it. No, only the closing night party ticket and my business cards. Although I had no trouble to get in the party even I lost the ticket, I am still annoyed by the episode. What a pathetic group of thugs. I will remember to avoid that part of the town in the future, as well as Oakland. I Want to Dance Saturday was very windy, but that didn’t prevent me and thousands of others from sitting at the Yerba Buena Gardens to enjoy the opening performance of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival—Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu. The performance is charming and contiguous. It makes me want to dance so badly. Before I find a class, I think I will check out some DVDs from the library to learn some hula moves. Actually, during the performance, the director Patrick Makuakāne taught us a few movements and everybody joint the dance. Terrific experience. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf The closing song is "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." The elegant movement and soothing music melts my heart. I shoot a video of it, and I will upload to Youtube tomorrow. Bon Voyage, Kaiwo Maru! When I heard that the Kaiwo Maru (海王丸) was coming to San Francisco, I wanted to check it out. I am not sure why, but I simply feels this ship is fascinating. Kaiwo Maru’s three day visit to the city is to commemorate the voyage of the Kanrin Maru (咸臨丸), the first Japanese to visit to the United States 150 years ago. Anticipating many people to visit the ship, I decided to check it out on Friday evening to see if it would be worth to stay in line in case the line is long. Even in the dark, it shows magnificent beauty. I was determined to come to board the ship on Saturday. I am so right—the tour of the ship is immensely enjoyable. With limited English, the sailors were able to tell me many details about the lives on the ship. As always, I took quite a few pictures on the ship. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf In fact, I liked the ship so much that I decided to come back to send it off today. I feel the ship is my newly met best friend. It’s another sunny day today. I came to Pier 27 to see the ship and sailors, mostly young Japanese students, one more time. The sailors were busy on getting ready to leave the port. When finally the ship started to move, the sailors performed a special ceremony called manning the yards. It was spectacle! It’s amazing to see how brave these young men are. They climb to the top of the mainmast, about 160 feet tall, so fast. They spread out entirely on the yards and say goodbye to us, to the city, and to the US. I am surprised how emotional I was—I was actually in tears, as if a good friend suddenly leaves me, and I know I will not see him for a long time, if ever again. I shot a video of this deeply moving episode until my memory card was full. I will load the video tomorrow as well. It was nice to meet you, Kaiwo Maru! Bon Voyage! Dinner I didn’t go to hiking today because of the windy condition, the changed MUNI schedule, and the Kaiwo Maru’s departure. That gave me some extra time to shop some groceries. I bought some fresh halibut neck and cooked dinner, with some lotus root, pine nuts, eggplant, and mixed rice. I also stir-fried some bitter melon. Not sure if it will help to fight my allergy. I hope so.

Breakfast with Me

I woke up with the aroma from my mixed rice porridge—I set the timer of my rice cooker last night so I can have a fresh porridge in the morning. I got up and pan-seared marinated pork and potato with some pine nuts, cut some orange and mixed with some pomegranate, peeled one boiled salty egg I marinated, made a pot of puer tea (普洱茶), toasted two small rolls. There is my hearty breakfast. Today is Labour Day. There was a march in downtown that lasted till the afternoon, although it turns into a protest to Arizona’s new law regarding illegal immigrants. I wonder if San Francisco is the only city that actually celebrate this "Labour Day," or "International Worker’s Day." I did not go downtown to check the march or protest. It’s a gorgeous day: warm, sunny, but a little breezy. After my satisfying breakfast, I went to the gym. I need to burn off any calories that my body doesn’t need in order to keep me alive. Afterwards, on a beautiful day like this, I decided to take a break from the on-going the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival. I went to visit de Young Museum. I have seen most of the works there. However, I did find a few new items interesting. I wonder if my butt will get wet if I sit on this chair. Of course, I didn’t sit on it. Another intriguing work is made from photos. But, it was poorly installed in the room, which has another very bright work on the opposite of the wall. It makes a huge glares on this piece. So, I decided to put myself into this work as well, right on top of that glaring spot. I was going to vent some frustration about the oil spill in the ocean, the hate crimes toward Asians in the Bay area, the tax dollar hogs in the city, the outrageous MUNI service cut next week, the devastating another attack on school children in China… However, that will be just build up some negative energy inside me and I become angrier. Life is to short to be angry and bitter about the world. Instead, I will let it go and do what I do have control. For example, sing a song, sign a petition, cook a meal, take a hike, and win a lottery. Tomorrow, it will be another beautiful day. I will go hiking first in the morning, go to Castro for a movie, then cook a wonderful dinner, finish writing a film review, and perhaps catch another film…

The Dream Shall Never Die

What a fantastic weekend! It’s like a carbon copy from last weekend, only more sunshine and warmer. I didn’t go hiking last weekend because I was trying to catch this annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Since I have seen it almost every year, my camera was a little focused this year. Due to the travel, rain, parade etc, I have not been to Marin Headlands for quite some time. Today, there is no more excuse not to take a hike in a beautiful weather like this. Obviously, no matter how many times I go to Marin Headlands, never enough. Actually I was there yesterday, not by bus though. I took a pose on the top of the hill when it was a little cooler. Obviously, I have been neglecting my yoga practice for too long. On the bus going there, I read the heartbreaking story about that gay penguin, Pepper. Pepper was dumped last year by his not so faithful gay-turn-straight ex-boyfriend Harry, who ran away with a widow Linda. It’s even more dramatic and traumatizing than a Korean drama! I have to admit, even though it’s such a sad story, I giggled on the bus reading it. As soon as I get on the trail, Pepper is no longer in my mind. The mountain is extremely green due to all the rain we have got last few months. Today is warmer than yesterday on the ocean front. The air is crispy fresh, even it’s almost a very hot day. Wild flowers are competing with each other for their beauty, scent, and color. Even my allergy that tortured me last week seems retreat in front of the nature. Perhaps I am only allergic to indoor environment. I pass a big mushroom next to the trail. I have no idea if it’s eatable or not, so all I could do is to take a picture. It took me only a little over an hour to finish the 5 plus mile trail with up and down hill. I think by tomorrow my butt will be sore, the good kind. When I arrived home, I saw the building next to my apartment is having an open house for all the units they just built in its four story building. I went in, and took a tour. Very nice! On the top floor, they have the similar view as my apartment, only all brand new and modern appliances. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf Since I didn’t have $1.3 million in my pocket to get the key for a unit, I came back to my apartment and cooked dinner to wrap up this beautiful weekend. I pan seared some potato and eggplant. They are so simple yet absolutely exquisite. I have to cook them again. I have finished a big jar of kimchi. It will be a crime if I throw away the juice in the jar. I made a pot of pork stew with it tonight in my clay pot, with some carrots, potato, and frozen tofu. My day is definitely complete, with or without the $1.3 million. Now, I am going to dream about my lottery ticket will win next Tuesday, so I can cook the dinner in the next building overlooking where I just hiked during the day… the dream shall never die.

OMG!

Space doesn’t allow embeded video? That’s how they deal with its competitor. Pathetic.

The 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival

I have been so busy in every front over the past couple weeks. Let me just post my writings over YNOT at the Movies to welcome the opening of the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival tomorrow. Oh, also, two other reviews I wrote recently. American’s longest running film festival is turning 53 next week—the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (SFiFF) takes place April 22-May 6, 2010 at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, Castro Theater, Landmark’s Clay Theater in San Francisco, and Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. It promises to be another grand showcase of present international cinema as well as a few retrospective programs. The festival opens with a comical "Micmacs" (Micmacs à tire-larigot | France 2009 | in French | 105 min.) and closes with a new documentary "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" (USA 2010 | 84 min.). In between, the festival screens 177 films including 69 narrative features, 28 documentary features, and 80 shorts. SFiFF truly lives up to the word "international" in its title—this year’s program presents 46 countries and is in 31 languages. Besides a great selection of films, the festival also gives numerous awards to distinguished individuals to recognize their contributions in cinema art. This year’s awardees include Walter Salles, Robert Duvall, James Schamus, and Roger Ebert. Like tens of thousands of festival film-goers, I am looking forward to many films at this year’s SFiFF. Based on what I have seen and learned at this moment, I will highlight a few films at this year’s festival. I already hear the organ playing in the Castro Theater. Please turn off your cell phone, and anything makes noise or light. Let’s watch some films. From Acclaimed Asian Directors Not to Be Missed Asian Films Films to Look Out No Subtitle Needed From Acclaimed Asian Directors A few films at this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival are from acclaimed Asian directors who are quite familiar by film-goers around the world. Ang Lee: Ride with the Devil: Director’s Cut (USA 2009 | 160 min.) Ang Lee‘s Civil War film "Ride with the Devil" was originally released in 1999. Over a decade later, a new director’s cut with great details will be re-released on DVD. This is a rare chance to see this director’s cut on a big screen, with its writer James Schamus appearing in person at Castro Theater. Hirokazu Koreeda: Air Doll (空気人形 | Japan 2009 | in Japanese | 116 min.) Director Hirokazu Kore-eda is a master of story telling and he has created a few great films such as "After Life" (ワンダフルライフ | Japan 1998), "Nobody Knows" (誰も知らない | Japan 2004), and "Still Walking" (歩いても 歩いても | Japan 2008). I am intrigured by his newest creation based on a manga: "Air Doll" and I want to know how an air doll can fall in love. Johnnie To: Vengeance (復仇 | Hong Kong/China/France 2009 | in English/Cantonese/French | 108 min.) Johnnie To is one of the most amazing filmmakers whose surreal productivity would make him a superman in cinema. I am sure his signature glorious slow-motioned blood shedding action sequences will fill the big screen in this "Vengeance" about, well, vengeance. Fatih Akın: Soul Kitchen (Germany 2009 | in German | 99 min.) Turkish-German director Fatih Akın is known for his terrific dramatic features such as "The Edge of Heaven" (Auf der anderen Seite | Germany 2007). His new film "Soul Kitchen" is a surprise to those who are familiar with his work—it is an over the top light hearted goofball comedy about a Turkish immigrant brothers who try to run a restaurant. Not to Be Missed Here are are a few films I think you should not miss at this year’s SFiFF, even it means to stand in the rush line for a long time to score a ticket. The White Meadows (کشتزارهای سپید | Iran 2009 | in Persian | 92 min.) Visually stunning "The White Meadows" tells an unforgettable tale about an old man’s journey traveling around the small islands in Lake Urmia, the third largest salt water lake on earth. His job is to collect tears from people and listen to their sorrows. The film will bring you to a place that you have never traveled before. The Man Who Will Come (L’uomo che verrà | Italy 2009 | in Italian | 115 min.) Set in 1944 in South Italy, through the eyes of a mute eight-year-old girl, "The Man Who Will Come" is an plaintive yet poetic recounting of massacres by German soldiers who accuse the local villagers of helping the partisans. This beautiful film tells a gripping and tragic story with fantastic cinematography and an operatic music score. Lebanon (לבנון | Germany/Israel/France/Lebanon 2009 | in Hebrew/Arabic/French/English | 93 min.) Winning the top award Golden Lion (Il Leone d’Oro) at last year’s Venice International Film Festival, Israel’s "Lebanon" gives us the most astonishing up-close and personal war experience. It tells the story from a gun viewer inside a tank on the first day of The First Lenanon War in 1982. You will not be watching a film, but literally you will be sit in that tank during a bloody ugly war. Asian Films Besides the films I mentioned in "From Acclaimed Asian Directors," there are more Asian films at this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival (SFiFF). Here are a few of my highlights. Bodyguards and Assassins (十月围城 | Hong Kong/China 2009 | in Chinese | 138 min.) In 1905, exiled "Father of the Nation" Sun Yat-sen returns to Hong Kong to discuss the plan to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. "Bodyguards and Assassins" tells a story about protecting him from being assassinated during this visit. The film is a melting pot of sentimental melodrama, fantastic martial art sequences, suspensive thriller, and an all-star cast. A Brand New Life (여행자 | South Korea 2009 | in Korean | 92 min.) Loosely based on personal life, Ounie Lecomte‘s directorial debut "A Brand New Life" tells the stories about South Korean orphaned children who are waiting for adoption. Empire of Silver (白银帝国 | China/Taiwan/Hong Kong 2009 | in Chinese | 113 min.) Another period drama at this year’s festival is also set at the end of Qing Dynasty. Theatre director Christina Yao‘s directorial debut film "Empire of Silver" tells an epic story about a banker’s heir (Aaron Kwok 郭富城) who must choose between love and his family business. Last Train Home (归途列车 | China/Canada 2009 | in Chinese | 87 min.) China’s booming economy brings millions of peasants into the city to work, and they leave their families behind. Fan Lixin‘s superb and poignant documentary "Last Train Home" takes a closer look at these workers’ struggle using the massive Chinese New Year transit madness as the backdrop—coming home for Chinese New Year is normally the only chance they can reunite with their families. Woman on Fire Looks for Water (遺情 | Malaysia/South Korea 2009 | in Chinese/Korean | 97 min.) Malaysia director Woo Ming-jin‘s "Woman on Fire Looks for Water" is a story about the love affairs of a father and his son who live in a small fishing village. With a title like Hong Sang-soo would have picked, and with inspiration in filmmaking from Jia Zhangke, Woo Ming-jin surely offers a delicious treat to his audience. Moscow (양 한 마리 양 두 마리 | South Korea 2009 | in Korean | 104 min.) "Moscow" depicts how two innocent childhood friends are placed in opposite social domains once they grow up. They used to share the same dream when they were innocent children. However, the new reality is one is a labor activitist and the other works for a big corporation. Will they still be able to resume the old friendship? Films to Look Out A few more films that I think people should make an effort to see at this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival. All these films seem character driven. I Am Love (Io sono l’amore | Italy 2009 | in Italian/Russian | 120 min.) If Tilda Swinton does not have time to eat the food in "I Am Love," I will. Everyone Else (Alle Anderen | Germany 2009 | in German | 119 min.) Let’s see how this married couple survives their relationship in "Everyone Else," the winner of Silver Bear Award at last year’s Berlin International Film Festival. Shirley Adams (South Africa/USA 2009 2009 | in English/Afrikaans | 92 min.) A powerful performance by Denise Newman as a mother who takes care of her newly disabled son, makes "Shirley Adams" all worth seeing. The Wind Journeys (Los viajes del viento | Colombia/Netherlands/Argentina/Germany 2009 | in Spanish | 117 min.) Watching films like "The Wind Journeys" makes the experience of attending SFiFF unique and memorable. No Subtitle Needed Indeed with 31 languages in this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival, there are many lines of subtitles to read in theaters, unless you are a truly multilingual or you are watch the following foreign films. Yellow Sheep River (黃羊川 | China/Taiwan 2009 | 94 min.) The gorgeous images in this documentary show the landscape and the life in Yellow Sheep River (黃羊川) area situated in Gulang (古浪) county in Gansu (甘肃) Province in China. Any word will be redundant. Way of Nature (Naturens gång | Sweden 2008 | 107 min.) Is it the time for us to move out the cities and return to the "Way of Nature"? The chickens are calling. The Greatest Can you imagine how James Bond looks like when he grieves? Certainly it is not pretty judging from how Pierce Brosnan cries in a sappy melodrama "The Greatest" (USA 2009 | 99 min.) about grieving and healing. While Allen Brewer (Pierce Brosnan) and Grace (Susan Sarandon) cope with the tragic death of their well-liked (hence the title "The Greatest") son Bennett (Aaron Johnson), Bennett’s girlfriend Rose (Carey Mulligan) shows up at their door steps, and she is pregnant. Grace blames on Grace for Bennett’s death and resents her; Allen tries to hold the family together; and Bennett’s brother Ryan (Johnny Simmons) escapes the reality by getting high with drugs. Would anybody doubt that this unhappy bunch will eventually come out of the grief and live happily ever after? That is the formula like every chicken dumpling soup. This film tries hard to move the audience with a sentimental subject matter and mostly unconvincing performance. Unfortunately, the film only triggers a few chuckles in the audience by its absurdity, instead of invoking any sympathetic feelings toward these characters. I am detached from these awkwardly written characters as if I am watching a daytime soap opera. Seeing Pierce Brosnan on the screen, I wonder what his next James Bond assignment might be. His sadness is insincere, and certainly laughable. On the other hand, Susan Sarandon does look sad, but I am not sure whether it is due to her character Grace’s loss, or it is due to her recent breakup with Tim Robbins. The only credible moment that actually moves me is when Ryan finally speaks out about his brother, in which Johnny Simmons gives a brilliant and memorable performance. The plot is also confusing from time to time. For instance, it is unclear why Grace keeps going back to a hospital to read a book to a person in coma. Then that bedridden guy is suddenly taken to a jail, wakes up, and talks articulately as if he were a video camera when describing Bennett’s last moment. Apparently, his words are very crucial for the family to heal and to be able to love again. Everybody should drive safely, so the film’s cruel opening will not repeat. Perhaps we can all be spared from going through a nagging healing process like the Brewer family in this film. "The Greatest" opens on Friday, April 9, 2010 at Bay Area theaters. Mid-August Lunch (Pranzo di ferragosto) Want some Italian for lunch? It will be hard if you happen to be in Rome in mid-August, during the Italy’s biggest holiday Ferragosto Assunzione—almost everybody leave the town on vacation and many shops are closed, unless you are a tourist or you cannot go anywhere like those ladies in Gianni Di Gregorio‘s charming directorial debut "Mid-August Lunch" (Pranzo di ferragosto | Italy 2008 | in Italian | 75 min.). Bachelor Gregorio (Gianni Di Gregorio) is a devoted son living with his 93-year-old mother in an old apartment building in Trastevere, rione XIII of Rome. He is broke and owns money to the building manager, as well as local shops. The building manager makes a deal with Gregorio: if Gregorio can take care his mother when he is on mid-August vacation, he will reduce the debt. Gregorio reluctantly takes manager’s mom in, as well as manager’s aunt who comes along, and as well as his doctor friend’s mom. Gregorio miraculously juggles around these difficult ladies with his culinary skills, his patience, and his alcohol beverage. The film does not have any dramatic event, yet, it elegantly unfolds a simple story and keeps us completely captivated and delighted. We get first hand experience about how the slow life during the national holiday and how difficult to babysit these ladies who have strong personalities on a hot summer day. The terrific performance by the ensemble cast is like an authentic Italian home cooking meal—hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. Good-natured gentle humor fills the screen throughout, and just when we crave for more, the credit begins to roll. Although the film does not show much detail about the food Gregorio cooks and how he cooks, from how those ladies bribe him in order to stay for another meal, the food must be delicious. "Mid-August Lunch" opens on Friday, April 23, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.

I Miss You

Dear Mom, It has been ten years since you left us, but I never stop thinking about you and miss you even more when every day passes by. I want to share you the joy I had over the past ten years; I want to present you the food I cooked; I want to hear your comfort for my sadness; I want to tell you everything (well, almost everything) happening in my life. Mostly, I want to hear your voice and see you smile again. I miss you, mom. You taught me the meaning of love. You taught me how to love others. You taught me not to give up and be determined no matter how difficult things might be. You taught me how to build a strong character and be myself. You taught me how to carry on daily lives when resources are limited. You taught me how to make delicious meals for the whole family with whatever we have at home. You taught me how to be caring and nurturing. You taught me how to make you proud. You taught me how to live life to the fullest. You taught me what unconditional love means. I’m sure you know that I didn’t mean to upset you when I did something stupid. I’m sure you know that I didn’t intend to make you cry when I was stubborn and disobedient. I’m sure you know that I attend a university far away from home not because I want to be far away from you. I’m sure you know that I love you dearly even I didn’t say it as much as I should. I remember how proud you were when you bragged about me for making family dinner at the age of nine. Actually that was precisely the motivation for me to do it—to make you proud and to reduce your burden. I remember how you prepared our siblings with big lunch boxes, but you ate the simplest and the least nutritious meals day after day. I remember how content you were when you cooked a feast for us every Chinese New Year’s eve. I remember your laughter and joy, as well as your suffering and sorrow. I remember you, and everything seems like just happened yesterday. Not long ago, when I was watching Hirokazu Koreeda‘s film "After Life" (ワンダフルライフ | Japan 1998) once again, I was asking myself: "What would be the single memory in my life that I would choose to take with me into eternity?" Immediately, I chose that single memory: That was a cold winter night in Harbin, when I was about six or seven year’s old. It was warm and cozy inside the room, I was in my tank top and little shorts. There was a power outage, we gathered around the table to be close to the candle light, because we all had a music sheet for a song in our hands. All of us, you, dad, me, and my brother, were practicing to sing that song. We were singing together as loud as if we were in a KTV room. The little candle flame danced with our singing full of joy and happiness. Although I don’t remember what song we were singing, I do remember that moment vividly and I still can hear your beautiful singing voice. From time to time, I hear your bright voice at my ears as if you were still broadcasting news at the radio station. Perhaps, indeed you have been talking to me all these years. Dear mom, I have read this poem many times when I cannot bare the pain for not being able to talk to you. Today is one of those days that I cannot hold back my tears. Let me read it one more time. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am in a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, I am in the graceful rush Of beautiful birds in circling flight, I am the starshine of the night. I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room. I am in the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there. I do not die. I know, you are not there, because you are with me deep in my heart, every single moment. Mom, I love you, and I miss you. Update: Just after I wrote these words, I heard the news that my mom’s third brother passed away today—on the 10th anniversary of mom’s passing. Rest in peace, uncle.