Saturday, March 29, 2008

"BRIDGE" Video at Hollywood Film Festival

It’s good to be back in the neighborhood again

The "Bridge of No Return" video was chosen as an Official Selection at its 4th film festival, and last night it screened at the 2008 International DV Film Festival in Hollywood. What a great opportunity to see some of the cast, crew, and friends of the "Bridge" video, and to tell the story to a big audience.

Since these days it’s cheaper to fly from SF to LA given the price of gas, I got in to Burbank mid-afternoon and checked into my usual hotel in Universal City. The recording studio where we recorded America and Bridge is just about 1/4 mile away from here. Took a cab into Hollywood and hooked up with friends at a restaurant just a block away from the film festival. Chao Krung

was the perfect meeting spot on Fairfax, and the food was awesome.

After dinner, we made it over to the Fairfax Theater, where the festival was happening: They show films in 2-3 hour "blocks," and then have a Q& A with the filmmakers. This evening started out with a feature-length, post-apolcalyptic, sci-fi film called "Like Moles, Like Rats." This was so good, I wouldn’t be surpised if it’s picked up and gets a distribution deal. After that, a brilliant and fun spoof on the crime-fighting genre called "Asian Task Force" (ATF). Then one more short, and finally our "Bridge" video.

Before going up for the Q&A session, I was thinking how many Asian people there were in the crowd, and how much more they knew about Korean history than I did, but my fears were unfounded, and the Q&A session was by far the best one I’ve done. The promoter was totally enthusiastic and pro-active, and the questions were really good, and gave the other filmmakers and I a great opportunity to talk about our films. I got to tell the story of Panmunjeom, where, at the end of the Korean war, officials gave people a few days to make the decision to stay on the side they were, or cross this bridge to the other side, but if they did, they could never return. And someone asked about the song itself, and I shared about the difficulty of writing Korean lyrics for part of the song (there was a Korean Dry Cleaners across the street where I lived, and would write a line, and run across the street and ask my friend there about it, and she’d say like "uuuh, we don’t really say it like that. It would be better to say it like this..." But I’m thinking "...that doesn’t rhyme!") It was an honor to have been chosen to be in this festival, and an honor to share the stage with these talented filmmakers.

It’s a balmy day in LA, and I’ll soon head out to go exploring my old stomping grounds, then meeting a friend for lunch. And I’m thinking how fortunate I’ve been to have met the right people at the right time to make something like this happen. Life is like that, one step this way or that way, and it would come out different. But as it is, I couldn’t be happier...

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

GRATS on the Festival showing and the Q&A. Michael- you are a very talented guy! It's nice to see the successes building around every corner. Looking forward to doing more chart toppers!

Anonymous said...

You have amazed me since the first day I saw you strumming that guitar with a group all around you so many years ago..... Do you remember your jeans with all the sribblings and patches?
You are the best! Love ya Derf!

Anonymous said...

THATS GREAT!! I wish you all continued success and I think your music is fantastic!! Thank you for keeping me posted and best of luck in the future!

Anonymous said...

hashi.org is now an honored member of the Love That Whirls blogroll(well, "honored" is perhaps not the correct word, considering the blog I'M responsible for... But you're in the company of some of the best liberal blogs on the 'Net, FWIW). Just a heads up. I don't get many hits, but when I do they can head straight to the important stuff that you're up to.

Anonymous said...

Michael, I don't know much about Korea!! You know so much about their history and all... you are very studious and passionate for what you do and like! But I just like you as my friend, and not for what you do or what you like... independent LOVE, I say! GREAT BLOG as always!!! All the very best to you... Lonely Alien(-;

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!
I watched the video before on Youtube and I thought that is really nice.
I'm honored to being friends with you!

In fact, I'm half Korea although even my father was born in Japan.
I have been hiding it in Japan. So we don't know about Korea so much.

Please being bridges among America, Korea and Japan!

Thank you so much for the comment to my son's video!
Why don't we go to Karaoke when we have a chance!! ha ha

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Michael,
You are awesome and I've enjoyed listening to you these past 5 years.
I'm so glad that I got to know you. You are amazing with all you do.
Janet

Donna said...

Michael

A "STAR IS BORN" and will continue to grow and shine. We all love you in Fishers, Indiana.
D.Page & Donna

Anonymous said...

Good words.