Backstory

RA26 Film BIG FIGHT IN LITTLE CHINATOWN director Karen Cho sits down with RA programmer Vidhya Elango and Friends of Chinatown TO member Alex Hong to discuss the film's sprawling but intimate look at Chinatowns across North America. Karen, Alex, and Vidhya expand on joy and struggle and how these Chinatowns hold a special place in our cities and communities. In the second half, Karen, Alex, and Vidhya collaborate to scarf down some cheung fun/rice rolls in our "Come Eat With Me" segment. For more information about Friends of Chinatown Toronto and the Toronto Chinatown Land Trust go to https://www.instagram.com/friendsofchinatownto/ and https://bit.ly/TCLTLaunch This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Mulholland”, King Canyon "Keep On Movin'", King Canyon Edited by Aram Collier Recorded and live mixed by Joseph Chung --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Backstory returns after a post-festival hiatus to usher in the launch of the fourth edition of TACLA’s Youth Critics Initiative (YCI), an annual incubator that guides emerging writers over the course of six months to produce critical works in a variety of formats in conversation with Reel Asian’s festival programming. Recorded in October during preparation for the 26th edition of the festival and fourth edition of YCI, co-editor Jasmine Gui joins Kelly and Aram to chew on all things critical and reflect on the program’s evolution over the years. On the menu: hamster facts, authorizing oneself and the process of scrutiny, what to do with absence and erasure, the origins of haterism, and why you should be on Team Rice. Links:  “Critique as Care” by Mayanthi Fernando, discussed at 9:50: https://read.dukeupress.edu/critical-times/article/2/1/13/139235/Critique-as-Care YCI IV Editors’ Letter by Jasmine Gui and Grayson Lee: https://medium.com/taclanese/yci-iv-letter-from-the-editors-6dc06ff5e15a Find all the YCI pieces in Taclanese: https://medium.com/taclanese For more on TACLA: https://tacla.ca/  For more on Reel Asian’s special projects: https://rarara.ca  Anthologies mentioned: “(re)Rites of Passages: Asian Canada in Motion”— https://www.reelasian.com/store/rites-of-passage-asian-canada-in-motion-anthology/ and “Reel Asian: Asian Canada on Screen”—https://www.reelasian.com/store/reel-asian-asian-canada-on-screen/ For more on Reel Asian’s special projects: https://rarara.ca  This episode uses the following samples and sources: “Lost the way”, Horthy Kristóf “Say Good Night”, Joakim Karud   “Morpho Diana”, Rachel Collier --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

RA26 Centrepiece Film THE GRIZZLIE TRUTH continues Kat Jayme's quixotic quest to keep the memory of the Vancouver Grizzlies alive. Reel Asian's Aram Siu Wai Collier is joined by Kat to get behind the scenes on the making of the film, the many characters met in her journeys (including "Swole Bibby"), her NBA analog, and possibly the quickest answer to our carb questionnaire. ***Conversation contains spoilers*** In the second half, Kat joins Aram for "Come Eat With Me" where Kat dishes over some dishes of tenuously related Grizzlie (and Raptors) snacks.  Mentioned in this episode: Stories We Tell dir. Sarah Polley (2012) Cutie and the Boxer dir. Zachary Heinzerling (2013) "The Fab Five" - ESPN 30 for 30 "Friends" (you know, the TV Show) This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Mulholland”, King Canyon "Keep On Movin'", King Canyon Edited by Aram Collier Recorded and live mixed by Joseph Chung --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

RA26 Opening Night Film RICEBOY SLEEPS has been collecting awards on the festival circuit. Reel Asian's Aram is joined by writer/director Anthony Shim and lead actress Seung-yoon Choi to get behind the scenes on the making of the film, their inspirations, their guilty pleasures, and the eternal battle of whether rice is superior to noodles.  Anthony and Seung-yoon are the first Backstory guests to engage in a new segment called "Come Eat With Me" where our guests and host share a meal and talk shop with their mouths full, family style.  Mentioned in this episode: Peppermint Candy dir. Lee Chang-dong (1999) City of Angels dir. Brad Silberling (1998) Norah Jones - Come Away With Me Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker / Rosas G.O.D. - Dear Mother This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Mulholland”, King Canyon "Keep On Movin'", King Canyon Edited by Aram Collier Recorded and live mixed by Joseph Chung Thumbnail photo: ALEX LUPUL / THE CANADIAN PRESS --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Trick or treat? Kelly and Aram review each other’s favourite and most-loathed nostalgic Halloween candies, after sharing their memorable horror film watching experiences. Plus, some ASMR. Happy Halloween from the Backspooky team! Mentioned in this episode: No Question: Unico Is The Most Horrifying Children's Movie Ever Made This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good Night”, Joakim Karud “Morpho Diana”, Rachel Collier Episode cover art by Kelly Lui. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Backstory hits up the west coast on this edition of the Road Trip series, joining Brian Hu, Artistic Director of San Diego Asian Film Festival, to discuss the long history of Asian American cinema, the importance of film criticism in a world of takes, and the future of Asian American filmmaking beyond Hollywood. San Diego Asian Film Festival is hosted by Pacific Arts Movement. Follow them on social media @pacartsmovement. Mentioned in this episode (get your Letterboxd ready): Brian’s article for the LA Times: "The 20 best Asian American films of the last 20 years" Asian American Filmmaking 2000–2009 - The Criterion Channel Saturday School podcast, hosted by Brian Hu and Ada Tseng, specifically season 8 on Asian-American sci-fi My Sight Is Lined with Visions: 1990s Asian American Film & Video, curated by Keisha Knight and Abby Sun, and its accompanying Criterion Channel collection Brian’s essay for My Sight Is Lined with Visions: "They Were Asian American, But…" More from the Road Trip series: Part 1 with Selena Yip (Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival) Part 2 with with Melissa Bisagni (Washington DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival) This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Sailing” by Telecasted “Anything You Can Dream” by The Whole Other --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Aram introduces Kelly to a quintessential Asian diaspora fast food meal. Plus, a preview of what’s to come on Backstory (more mukbang?). This episode was recorded on video! Watch it on Spotify or YouTube. Links Writer Jane Hu on the Filet-o-Fish and her Chinese-Canadian upbringing This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good Night”, Joakim Karud “Morpho Diana”, Rachel Collier --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Kelly and Aram are back with another highly curated (and definitely not algorithmic) selection of k-pop tracks for the summer. Recommended for finding yourself (and discovering your inner bad boy) on a late night drive. Check out the YouTube playlist here. Links From the Backstory archives: S2E05: “Play Me” and last year’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify For the TXT fans: TXT’s re-enactments of Weightlifting Fairy For further reading: writer Cat Zhang on “The Endless Life Cycle of Japanese City Pop” On city pop’s influence: Did you know Out of Time by The Weeknd samples Midnight Pretenders by Tomoko Aran? This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good Night”, Joakim Karud “Morpho Diana”, Rachel Collier Kelly’s picks: Good Boy Gone Bad by TXT C.I.T.T. by Moon Byul H.S.K.T. by LeeHi feat. Wonstein Good Night Good Dream by Nerd Connection SUPER TEARS by Bakyun the everyday Aram's picks: We Ride by Brave Girls 오랜만에 by George Lilac by IU (Citypop remix) Number 1 by Loona DIVE by Luli Lee --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Emerging from our winter and covid lockdowns, we take an audio road trip to visit with film festival friends along the East Coast. We talk about the joys and challenges of our respective cities and festivals and detail the intricacies of how the (festival) sausage gets made. Road Trip pt. 2 features Melissa Bisagni, Festival Director at the Washington DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival. https://www.apafilm.org/ & Backstory co-host Kelly Lui calls in from a far away place!  Music: “Sailing” by Telecasted “Anything You Can Dream” by The Whole Other --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Emerging from our winter and covid lockdowns, we take an audio road trip to visit with film festival friends along the East Coast. We talk about the joys and challenges of our respective cities and festivals and detail the intricacies of how the (festival) sausage gets made. Road Trip pt. 1 features Selena Yip, Festival Director at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. https://paaff.org/ Music: “Sailing” by Telecasted “Anything You Can Dream” by The Whole Other --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Is it too late to say Happy New Year? Kelly and Aram talk about new year traditions while reflecting on the past (festival) year and look ahead to what's to come. Including a possible truce in one of their long standing conflicts? This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: View of the Valley - Trevor Garrod Aerodynamic - Daft Punk --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Grayson returns to help Jen host this special Asian Media Year In Review trivia episode, with Kelly and Aram battling it out to defend their carbohydrate of choice. Happy New Year from the Backstory team! Links Listen to the Backstory episode on Minari. For more on familycore / parentcore. The profile on Keanu. Take this quiz to find out which Keanu Reeves character you are! This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good Night”, Joakim Karud “Morpho Diana”, Rachel Collier Beans and Rice PSA Tampopo (1985) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Aram and Kelly are joined by Tony, Althea, Ammar, Jen, and Ange to celebrate 10 years of Unsung Voices, Reel Asian’s annual summer workshop for first-time filmmakers. They reminisce over the untold challenges behind their first films, before being put to the test in a round of Unsung Voices trivia. Tune in to the very end to hear more Unsung Voices filmmakers share their favourite memories. Follow the link here for an extended shownote and transcription: https://bit.ly/unsunguntold --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Ever wonder about the origins of the ninja or what it was like growing up in a video rental store in small town Ontario? Aram is joined by Grayson Lee in this episode to discuss the legacy of martial arts in cinema, Ninja Turtles merch, empowerment through orientalization, and terrible films that are also very good. Follow Grayson on Instagram @grime_ninja. Click here for an extended shownote and transcript. For a list of the films mentioned in this episode, check out our Letterboxd list.  This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good Night”, Joakim Karud “Morpho Diana”, Rachel Collier Jack Vs the Ninja Ninja Assasin - Raizo Saves Miko --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Kelly walks Aram through his first (and perhaps last?) watch of CRASH LANDING ON YOU, 2019’s love story of the year (arguably). Will his love for the show crash and burn, or paraglide and land on his summer heart? This episode includes spoilers to the show CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019). If you liked the format, please do check out Too Long; Didn’t Watch (@tldwpod on Twitter), whose podcast gave us the inspiration for this episode. Content Warning: minor swearing Follow the link here for an extended shownote and episode transcript: http://bit.ly/backstory-cloy This episode uses the following multimedia samples and sources:  "Say Good Night", Joakim Karud "Morpho Diana", Rachel Collier Episode 16 of CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

It has been a year, and so many things have happened between then and now. In this episode, Aram and Kelly talk to filmmakers and programmers who continued to create art through the past year. Follow the link here for an extended shownote and episode transcript: http://bit.ly/backstory-1yearlater You can find hayung (@kimhayungg) and Insomniac Festival (@insomniac_fest) on Twitter and Instagram. This episode uses the following multimedia samples and sources:  “Say Good night”, Joakim Karud "Morpho Diana", Rachel Collier --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Aram and Kelly talk with Franco about the new season of the sketch comedy show TALLBOYZ and the serious business of being funny. You can find Franco on Instagram and Twitter @francowins, and you can watch the second season of TallBoyz for free on CBC Gem. Follow the link here for an extended shownote and episode transcript: http://bit.ly/s2e3-shownotes This episode uses the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good night”, Joakim Karud "Morpho Diana", Rachel Collier "This is MY Chinatown", Arthur Yeung SUITE SUITE CHINATOWN. Dir. Aram Collier --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

Aram and Kelly (and Seungwoo) talk about MINARI (2020) and give their earnest first reacts. Follow the link here for an extended shownote and episode transcript: http://bit.ly/s2e2-shownotes This episode uses the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good night”, Joakim Karud "Morpho Diana", Rachel Collier "Rain Song", Emile Mosseri, Han Ye-ri --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

A new year is upon us. We are back and so is Karate Kid. Aram and Seungwoo talk about how they ushered in their new years, and why Cobra Kai was a part of the good beginning. Content Warning: minor swearing. Follow the link here for an extended shownote and episode transcript: http://bit.ly/s2e1-shownotes This episode uses the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good night”, Joakim Karud "Morpho Diana", Rachel Collier "Oasis" Excerpt from "Mercy" (Cobra Kai, S1E10) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message

At the end of a momentous year, Kelly and Aram take a moment to reflect on what 2020 meant for the Reel Asian Film Festival and bring along some friends for the ride. First, guests Mimi Vuong and Josephine Cruz, the digital producers behind the scenes of Reel Asian’s digital festival. Meanwhile, we searched the farthest reaches of the globe to get an audience member’s perspective from superfan James Goh. In our last segment, Kelly and Aram share their own thoughts on what got them through the year and the carb questionnaire. Content Warning: mild swearing Follow the link here for an extended show note (incl. guest bios) and episode transcript: https://bit.ly/398tPIo This episode uses or mentions the following multimedia samples and sources: “Say Good night”, Joakim Karud "It's Only Love that Gets You Through", by Sade “Feel The Rhythm of Korea”, by Leenalchi and Ambiguous Dance Company "Anpanman", by BTS "Hug (Rock Version)", by Seventeen This episode was produced and edited by Aram Collier. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstory-podcast/message