Films in 1999 (Part 2)
Click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 3

XIU XIU
(1999)
Directed by Joan Chen
Produced by Joan Chen, Alice Chan
Executive Producers are Joan Chen, Allison Liu, Cecile Shah Tsuei
Screenplay by Yan Geling & Joan Chen
Based on the novella "Celestial Bath" from White Snake by Geling Yan
Cast: Lu Lu, Lopsang, Gao Jie, Li Qianqian, Lu Yue, Qiao Qian

The film brings to the screen the talents of Joan Chen's story-telling skillsin sharing a poignant tale from her homeland - China. Read below how this talented actress shaped this story that moved her deep within her. Reviews of her directorial debut has generally been very supportive of her vision that she placed on the wide screen.

From Joan Chen (The Director) - she writes: There is a story in Tibet, from a long time ago, about a young girl who was chosen to be sacrificed. She was killed by her tribe and her skin made into a drum. This drum became the medium between her people and the spirit world.

While traveling on the plateau along the Sichuan and Tibetan border, I thought of this girl whenever a faraway song was blown near by the wind. I became aware of a mysterious and intangible world existing around me, haunting yet beautiful. In this distant land of such mystical past, the line between the living and the dead seemed only a state of mind.

It was on this high plateau that our characters had lived, in an army tent under the sky. Lao Jin, a peaceful man with a legendary past; and Xiu Xiu, a tailor's daughter, who would destroy his peace. Lao Jin personifies the nobleness of the human emotion that we call love. He would be the fairytale hero whose honor and dignity nothing could sway, and whose soul nothing could corrupt. Xiu Xiu, in turn, would be chosen to be sacrificed, like the Tibetan girl whose skin was made into a drum. In Xiu Xiu's little army cot, a martyr would be born under the silver moonlight, soaked in sweat. She would become the symbol for innocence lost and regained.

ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM
(1999)
Directed by Andy Tennant
Produced by Lawrence Bender, Ed Elbert & Kevin McCormick
Writing Credits: Peter Krikes & Steve Meerson
Cast: Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, Mano Maniam, Bai Ling, Teoh Kah Yong, Kenneth Tsang

Set in 19th century Thailand, ANNA is the true story of British governess Anna Leonowens, who is employed by the King ( Chow Yun-Fat) to look after his many children. Soon after she arrives in this exotic country, Anna finds herself engaged in a battle of wits with the strong-willed ruler.

There have been various versions of this story, the last one being the ANIMATED VERSION completed in 1999. The famous version is the 1956 musical film entitled " The King and I" with Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and a cast of hundreds. An interesting version features Rex Harrison in a "yellow-face" role with Irene Dunne named Anna and the King of Siam. There was also a cartoon version that was released by Warner Brothers!

In this day of having history portrayed accurately, the film's history was filled with constant negotiations with the Thailand government as a filming location. There has been various conflicting information about what actually happened. As a result, the Thailand government didn't approved the shooting and was filmed in Malayasia. Various student Thai groups protested various interpretations of the story!

CNN says "that Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat are terrific in this throwback to the lavish, epic, period romance drama.

Foster pulls off the role of a British schoolteacher from the 1850s with only a bit of difficulty, with her accent. And Yun-Fat is so charming and convincing as the king of Siam that he nearly makes you forget Yul Brynner.

The two-hour, 20-minute feature focuses more on the political turmoil between Siam and its neighboring countries and Siam's British ally than the famous musical version of this true story. This makes viewers take this version more seriously and enjoy the added substance. It speaks to the power of the original story itself that it continues to be such a compelling and charming tale, whether told in musical, animation or live-action form."

On June 18, 2000 - this movie was the top video release. Click HERE to own your own copy.

In conclusion, let's hope that this film will provide the proper vehicle for Chou Yan-Fat to demonstrate the chrisma he displayed in his earlier films. Check out what Chou Yun Fat thinks about his participation.

In light of the lack of minorities / Asian / Asian Pacific Americans in the media, let's hope that this is not the typical tale of a White woman saving the poor misfortunate Asian male. Read various reviews from what a Hong Kong reviewer had to say about this film by clicking HERE and a review at Times Magazine! For further information, check out the film's Hong Kong's Website. In addition, feel free to read what Andy Tennant (director) feels about the film.

JOHNY TSUNAMI
  (1999) 
Directed by Steve Boyum
Cast: Brandon Baker, Yuji Okumoto, Mary Page Keller, Lee Thompson Yourng, Kirsten Storms, Zach Bostrom, Gregory Stein, Cylk Cozart, Steve Van Wormer, Cary-Hiroyuko Tagama, Gabriel Luque

Can you imagine in this day where minorities rarely (if ever) the lead in a movie or television show with a plot that recognizes that there is actually an Asian Pacific American lifestyle in the United States? When I saw the film, I was surprised that there was a Japanese American (from Hawaii) whose wife was a beautiful white woman. There was no stereotypical "Asian" images on the screen. These things actually happened in this Disney Original Movie "JOHNNY TSUNAMI!"

The plot is Hawaii's hottest young surfer has just learned his family's moving to an environment completely different than his own island paradise - Vermont! Johny is the new kid in town and the target of typical prejudices that occurs with junior high/high school youths. He struggles to find his place, find a group of friends (that are - naturally, not the "type of friends" one should have), struggles with the "stuffy/stuck-up" crowd, meets a girl(?!?!), gets into a confrontation with the "bully," have differences with his dad, finds comfort with his grandfather who seemingly always listens to him while always encouraging him to be the best at whatever he wants to be, runs away from home to his grandfather, finds himself, goes back home (with his grandfather), makes up with his parents, have a showdown with the bully and (naturally) wins! (BTW: the white girl that likes him actually favors him over the white jock!?!) Wow! A White Woman prefers a good-looking Asian guy over the White Jock!?!?

Though the plot was a little simplistic (well, it was a Disney movie), this was not a far reach because the main characters were children of 13 years old. It is amazing that today's (1999) issues of minority representation finds the major networks "explaining" that either the general public will not accept a minority lead character or story and/or stating that there are no "qualified" minority actors!?!? The good thing is that the networks (Nickelodeon and Disney) that are concentrating on kids (2 - 9 and 12-16) have demonstrated and supported productions that have done all the things mentioned above - with success! It reminds me of a Rogers and Hammerstein song from South Pacific - "You Have to Be Carefully Taught" - that stated that kids have to be "carefully" taught on who to hate!?!? It definitely points out that kids really have it over adults in terms of life issues such as the acceptance of the many differences that exists between all of us!?! Ain't it sad!

Check out the JOHNY TSUNAMI website or the "pictures" to get the "air" times, background information, "real videos" of the film and other stuff. Please support this film and let's hope that this will begin a good pattern (at least with Disney and the Mighty "Nick") with the kids, if we can't help ourselves - the mighty and powerful adults!