Join us for the following CENTERING THE MASSES events during the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

All events below will be at 341 FSN (341 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012).

FREE ADMISSION. Capacity is limited. RSVP strongly encouraged - please click on the links below to RSVP.

Friday, May 3

Gallery Exhibit, “OUT OF THE SHADOWS” open for viewing noon through end of tonight’s show

7:00 PM
BEATS, RHYMES, AND RESISTANCE Revival: Dawn Mabalon Tribute
Click here to RSVP.
CENTERING THE MASSES and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival unites to present a revival screening of BEATS, RHYMES, AND RESISTANCE (1997), the landmark short documentary about Filipinos in Hip Hop in Los Angeles directed by Dawn Mabalon, Lakan de Leon, and Jonathan Ramos. A tribute to the late Dawn Mabalon featuring a panel discussion on the impact of the film and the legacy of Dawn’s work. We ponder the question: What would a 2019 version of the film look like? Panelist includes co-director Lakan de Leon, spoken word and Beatrock Music artist Faith Santilla, rapper, organizer, and educator Kiwi Illafonte, Beatrock Music Vice President Kat Carrido, and DJ and graphic designer Wendell Pascual.

Saturday, May 4

Gallery Exhibit, “OUT OF THE SHADOWS” open for viewing noon through 6 PM

12:30 PM
Remember When It Was Like This? TRT: 60 mins.
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The “power of place” endures in this collection from past editions of Visual Communications/DISKovery Center filmmaking initiative for older adults, Digital Histories. This grouping celebrates Little Tokyo and its many cultural institutions, yet keeps a wary eye on an increasingly uncertain future.

LIVING TIME CAPSULE: LITTLE TOKYO ARTS & GIFTS (2014) Dir.: David Osako | Digital, 8 mins., color, documentary
U-SPACE (2015) Dir.: Jeannie Wong | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
OBON JIVERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU (2011) Dir.: Christy Ishimine | Digital, 6 mins., color, documentary
POPO (2013) Dir.: Frances Ito | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
KATO SEWING MACHINE STORE (2011) Dir.: Hideko Ibaraki | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
THE UYEDA FAMILY: GROWING UP IN JAPANESE TOWN (2009) Dir.: Genevieve Lew | Digital, 11 mins., color, documentary
REMEMBERING RAFU MANDOLIN CLUB (2015) Dir.: David Oasko | Digital, 8 mins., color, documentary
MORE THAN 1,000 WORDS (2012) Dir.: Steve Nagano | Digital, 9 mins., color, documentary
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE MONUMENT’S MEN IN LITTLE TOKYO? (2015) Dir.: Cathy Uchida | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary

3:00 PM
GRASSROOTS RISING (United States, 2005) Dir.: Robert C. Winn
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GRASSROOTS RISING examines the resurgence of community-based labor organizing and the role that APAs play in a movement characteristic of working-class communities of color. Heartrending stories of working life, family, and community organizing are intertwined with evocative murals and rare archival photographs of the Asian immigrant experience and a lyrical narration written and performed by Alison De La Cruz.
Digital (originated on DigiBeta), 57 mins., color, documentary, in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean w/ E.S.
Part of the mini-series “Little Tokyo: Adjacent.”

Sunday, May 5

Gallery Exhibit, “OUT OF THE SHADOWS” open for viewing noon through 6 PM

1:00 PM
SUPER ‘80s: Greatest Hits From VC’s Filmmakers Development Program TRT: 69 mins.
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As a pioneer in small-format, community-based mediamaking during the 1980s, Visual Communications supported a new generation of emerging artists who lacked the access to a traditional film school program. The result, as seen in this program of works that included a major production produced beyond the classroom but with weighty things on its mind, was nervy, at times awkward, but full of spirit and vision.

E-Z ROCK: ASIAN AMERICAN BREAK-DANCER (1985) Dir.: Stann Nakazono | Digital (originated on Super 8mm), 10 mins., color, documentary
JOSE: THE ARTIST (1985) Dir.: Evangeline Galicia | Digital (originated on Super 8mm), 7 mins., color, documentary
YAMAGUCHI-SENSEI (1989) Dir.: Roland Hazama | Digital (originated on Super 8mm), 10 mins., color, documentary
TEACH THEM WELL (1989) Dir.: Diana Yamashiro | Digital (originated on Super 8mm), 15 mins., color, documentary
SHIMON (1998) Dir.: Kaz Takeuchi | Digital (originated on Super 8mm), 27 mins., color, documentary, in English, Japanese and Korean

3:30 PM
Documentally Minded TRT: 60 mins.
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As shown in this thoughtful, nervy, and pointed collection of works, the ongoing legacy of Visual Communications’ vanguard Armed With a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Artists placed a great emphasis on “emerging” artists. Echoing VC’s example of providing access in telling true-life, non-fiction stories, many of these then-budding filmmakers had never handled a motion picture camera before undertaking the Fellowship. All have gone on to bigger and better projects, but with an eye on spotlighting what’s really important to them. And to their audience, as well.

FUTURE ROCKSTARS OF AMERICA (2005) Dir.: Grace Su | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
MEET FRIENDS, SWAP CHILDHOODS (2008) Dir.: Tony Hoang | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
ALL THE WAY (2015) Dir.: Allison Nakamura | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
AMONG B-BOYS (2004) Dir.: Christopher Woon | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
A DAY BEHIND BARS (2006) Dir.: Apollo Victoria | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
HONORABLE SON (2006) Dir.: Jay Esguerra | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
BOY (2002) Dir.: Michelle Yap Dizon | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
PAST THE FOOD (2007) Dir.: Mina T. Son | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
UNUSUAL, CONSPICUOUS & OVERWHELMING (2003) Dir.: Karin Mak | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
PEACE BEGINS WITH YOU AND ME (2005) Dir.: Megumi Nishikura | Digital, 4 mins., color, documentary
THAT PARTICULAR TIME (2012) Dir.: Jeff Man | Digital, 5 mins., color, documentary
BEAT THE BUS! (2003) Dir.: Kristina Sheryl Wong | Digital, 6 mins., color, documentary

5:30 PM
OMAI FA'ATASI: SAMOA MO SAMOA (1978) Dir.: Takashi Fujii
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One of the crown jewels of Visual Communications' landmark video docu-drama series "Hidden Treasures," OMAI FA'ATASI profiles the Samoan American youth development organization of L.A.'s South Bay communities, and unveils the history of Samoan migration to America. Offering a crucial voice to the perspectives and aspirations of Samoan American youths and young adults, OMAI FA'ATASI provides a glimpse into a largely misunderstood community whose members strive to become integrated into American society without losing their traditions and values.
Digital (originated on uMatic video), 30 mins., color, documentary

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