TIFF: ‘Dicks: The Musical’, ‘Origin’, ‘Sing Sing’ ‘Expats’, And Zendaya & Anne Hathaway’s Bulgari Ad Among Standouts At Toronto Fest
NOTE: This article is a combination of a two-part article released earlier this week via the DIASPORA Newsletter. To gain advance access to DIASPORA features, subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. After many films, events, parties, reconnecting with industry...
The Great ‘Here Lies Love’ Divide: Filipino-Fronted Broadway Show Causes Mirrorball Rift In Culture
When it was announced that Here Lies Love was making its Broadway debut, I went from celebratory to awkward to questioning to "Now wait a goddamn minute here..." all within 60 seconds. Part of me wanted to go to the premiere of Here Lies Love in New York to celebrate...
The Beyoncé RENAISSANCE Diaries: A Moment, Movement, And Homecoming
In the weeks, days, hours, minutes leading up to Beyoncé's September 23 concert in Houston, Texas, I made sure everyone knew I was going. I wore it like a badge of honor that said, "You...
PODCASTS
Problematic Fave Podcast: Peppermint Talks Whodunit Comedy ‘Murder By Death’ And The Yellowface Of It All
Before there were flames on the side of Madeline Kahn's face in Clue, Peter Sellers was doing full-on yellowface in the Robert Moore's whodunit? Murder By Death -- and we talked to singer, dancer, actor, and RuPaul's Drag Race icon Peppermint all about it! Set up as a...
Problematic Fave Podcast: Dylan Adler Talks The Queerness Of ‘Kung Fu Panda’
If anything, the biggest takeaway from this episode of Problematic Fave with stand-up comedian and writer Dylan Adler (The Late Late Show with James Corden) it's that Tai Lung, the villain in Kung Fu Panda, is giving masc top energy and is a queer icon. In this week's...
Problematic Fave Podcast: ‘Black Barbie: A Documentary’s Lagueria Davis And Aaliyah Williams Break Down Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’
Greta Gerwig's Barbie starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and a small town of pretty actors has been unleashed into the wild and there is a lot to be discussed -- and what better people to discuss this with than with Black Barbie: A Documentary director Lagueria...
Problematic Fave Podcast: Shar Jossell Breaks Down ‘Bringing Down The House’
Join us this week as journalist and We're... Just Like That podcast co-host Shar Jossell takes us on a journey through the Queen Latifah-Steve Martin feature comedy Bringing Down The House from 2003. We explore the profound problems, humor and surprisingly insightful...
Problematic Fave Podcast: ‘Joy Ride’ Filmmakers And Cast Get Heartfelt And Filthy When Discussing New Comedy
I've never said so many "chlamydia" so many times during a press conference. In this different, BONUS episode of Problematic Fave, we bring you into the world of press conferences! I had the opportunity to moderate the press conference for the forthcoming comedy Joy...
COMMENTARY
The Great ‘Here Lies Love’ Divide: Filipino-Fronted Broadway Show Causes Mirrorball Rift In Culture
When it was announced that Here Lies Love was making its Broadway debut, I went from celebratory to awkward to questioning to "Now wait a goddamn minute here..." all within 60 seconds. Part of me...
‘Oppenheimer’ Cements “Troubled Woman Hanging Laundry On Clothesline” Trope Into Cinematic History
After watching Oppenheimer, I asked some friends, "Did we need that movie?" and it was a resounding "No" from the chorus. I agreed. I appreciate what Christopher Nolan's film did as a completed...
MERIENDA WITH
Merienda With Rishi Rajani: The Evolution Of Hillman Grad And The Deeper Meaning Of ‘Chang Can Dunk’
I hate being late. I was over 45 minutes late meeting Hillman Grad CEO and producer Rishi Rajani because I thought I would be able to make it from Brentwood to Hollywood in 30 minutes. I was...
Merienda With Fenton Bailey: ‘ScreenAge’ Author Talks ‘Drag Race’, Tammy Faye, Visiting North Korea And Impact Of TV On Culture
There was one thing at the top of my list that I wanted to discuss with Fenton Bailey. North Korea. In fact, it's probably what people want to talk to him about the most in regards to his new book,...
INTERVIEWS
DIASPORA RERUN: Randall Park Talks His Feature Directorial Debut, Adapting To Change And The ‘Shortcomings’ Of It All
EDITORS NOTE: With the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes in full effect, DIASPORA is totally in solidarity and support of everyone who is just fighting for a living wage. I am bummed that I am not able to...
Jess Wu Calder Talks Making Directorial Debut With Two Very Different ‘Blindspotting’ Episodes
On January 18, 2018, Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal starred in Blindspotting, a hyphy-drenched, spoken-word feature navigating identity and socio-politica; issues in Oakland, California. Directed by...