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Film brings together two martial arts dynasties

Film brings together two martial arts dynasties
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Film brings together two martial arts dynastiesFilm brings together two martial arts dynasties

Crossing Hollow Film’s upcoming family-friendly Action-Drama film, Take A Chance, written and directed by Saiko Shihan Oyama and Michael Stiles, and produced by Scott Perkins, not only hooked in a multi-talented ensemble cast, but brought together two of the largest Japanese martial arts organizations in the world...Kyokushinkai Karate and World Oyama Karate.

Starring in his first U.S. film, Mackenyu Meada, son of the legendary Sonny Chiba, plays the lead role, “Masa,” and Cassie Scerbo (ABC’s “Make It or Break It”) plays “Cynthia,” an American southern belle and Masa’s love interest. The film tells the story of an unmotivated and wayward young high school student from a wealthy Japanese family whose father sends him to America to study as an Uchi Deshi under a renowned karate master to be played by Saiko Shihan Oyama (Founder of World Oyama Karate). Take A Chance, centers on events surrounding Masa’s rise from ambiguity to clarity in the value of friendships, hard work, and an unyielding conviction to persevere.

“Our hope is that this story will inspire people who have known the feeling of being less than they could be,” says Michael Stiles and Saiko Shihan Oyama. “And that we would find hope where there may seem to be none in sight.”

Additional Cast highlights include:
Japanese film legend and action star, Sonny Chiba, to play “Musashi”, a figure who appears to Masa and awakens a strength and determination he never knew he had. Chiba has appeared in over 125 films, including the classic The Street Fighter movie series, as well as blockbuster hits such as Kill Bill and The Fast and the Furios: Tokyo Drift.

Shihan Yuzo Goda gives a cameo appearance as the Fight Judge. Shihan Goda is a Karate Master and an Executive Advisor to the Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Organization, which has branches in more than 120 countries and boasts over 10 million registered members.

Alex Heartman as “Antonio”, an antagonist of Masa. He is best known for playing Jayden Shiba, the Red Ranger, in the latest Power Rangers incarnation, Power Rangers Samurai. His role as a Power Ranger, gave him a 2012 Kids’ Choice Awards Nomination.

Masashi Odate plays Rikio, a sensei who provides discipline and guidance in Masa’s life. Odate is an accomplished martial artist in the Kyokushin style whose acute acting talent has earned him the opportunity to appear in such high-profile films as Letters from Iwo Jima, directed by Clint Eastwood, and The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise. He has also worked with Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner Louis Gossett, Jr. in the film, All In.

Savannah Outen plays Amanda, Cynthia’s best friend, and also performs three songs for the film’s soundtrack, including the piercing ballad, “Rise Up.” Outen has topped music charts on Radio Disney since 2007 and has now over 380,000 subscribers and more than 77 million Youtube views.

The film is currently in production in Birmingham, Alabama.

For more information, please visit:
www.crossinghollowfilms.com



Freida Pinto is one of first at Cannes

Freida Pinto is one of first at Cannes

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto and Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria were the first fashion forces on the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and the premiere of Wes Anderson’s latest film, Moonrise Kingdom.

Neither actress appears in Anderson's film, but both are L’Oreal brand ambassadors. There will be fabulous parties every night they must attend. It’s a tough job, but someone beautiful and famous has to do it.

Picture Getty



A 'Bamboo Ceiling' for Would-Be Asian Leaders

A 'Bamboo Ceiling' for Would-Be Asian Leaders

New research suggests that assertive Asian-Americans may be penalized for not adhering to racial stereotypes that peg them more as meek followers.

Compared to their proportion of the North American population, East Asians are overrepresented in universities and in many professional settings. Still, why are they less likely to be promoted to leadership positions compared to Whites and other racial minorities?

University of Toronto researchers Jennifer L. Berdahl and Ji-A Min conducted four experiments to look into this so-called "bamboo ceiling." In one trial, they asked survey respondents to read the human-resource record of a business consultant whose last name was either Sutherland or Wong before indicating how much they would like to have the employee as a co-worker. The file also included different supervisor assessments on the employee's assertiveness, agreeableness, and leadership potential.

East Asians who don't conform to racial stereotypes are less likely to be popular in the workplace. "In general, people don't want dominant co-workers," says Berdahl, "but they really don't want to work with a dominant East-Asian co-worker."

Berdahl says managers and coworkers should be wary of this tendency against East Asian employees that exhibit leader-like behavior. She says, "The bias lies within observers and it's ultimately their responsibility."

The full study, "Prescriptive Stereotypes and Workplace Consequences for East Asians in North America," (PDF) is published in the journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.



Manny Pacquiao opposes gay marriage

Manny Pacquiao opposes gay marriage

Manny Pacquiao is a devoted Catholic who's as quick to quote the Bible as he is to knock out an opponent. So it's no surprise that he has come out swinging against President Barack Obama's recent support of same-sex marriage.

In a recent interview with the National Conservative Examiner, the WBO welterweight champion invoked the Bible when criticizing the president's stance.

"God's words first ... obey God's law first before considering the laws of man," Pacquiao said in response to how he felt about Obama's public support of same-sex marriage. "God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married, only if they so are in love with each other. It should not be of the same sex so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah of Old."

Pacquiao's stance is in line with his conservative views in the Filipino legislature. Last year, he was vehemently opposed to a proposed law that would make contraceptives accessible to most Filipinos and sex education mandatory.

Pacquiao's next fight is slated for June 9 against Timothy Bradley.

What century are we in?



Anna Sui designs exclusive collection for Edition01

Anna Sui designs exclusive collection for Edition01
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Anna Sui designs exclusive collection for Edition01

Since her runway debut over 20 years ago, Anna Sui has cemented a place in the fashion industry's hall of fame, all the while maintaining a rock-and-roll reputation and cult following. This season, Anna Sui created an exclusive collection for Edition01, featuring vintage-esque sequins, white lace and Sui-signature feminine embroidery.

More over at www.edition01.com

Also, since we're on Anna Sui fashion collaborations, check out these gorgeous, luggage carry-ons, Anna designed for luggage house Tumi.



Cassie looking stylish in “King Of Hearts” Remix

Cassie looking stylish in “King Of Hearts” Remix

Cassie has just released incredible new visuals to her R3hab-assisted “King Of Hearts” remix.

The mix includes the early dance/electro work of Wynter Gordon and the look of Teyana Taylor.

Cassie shaved both sides of her head and we're loving the breathy vocals.



BongHwan Kim first LA Asian American councilman?

BongHwan Kim first LA Asian American councilman?

BongHwan Kim, general manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), is running for the Los Angeles City Council's Thirteenth District. If elected, he would be the city's first Asian-American council member in 20 years.

BongHwan Kim, also known as BH, filed the necessary paperwork with the City Ethics Commission, allowing him to start raising money for the race to replace City Councilman Eric Garcetti, who is termed out of the seat and is running for mayor.

Japanese newspaper Rafu Shimpo first reported that Kim, a Korean-American, was in the race on April 30.



Asian Am Immigration documents made available to public

Asian Am Immigration documents made available to public

Asian Americans will soon have a new way to connect to their past. Immigration documents, some of them 100 years old, will be made available to the public at a facility in San Bruno.

The Federal Government had targeted most of the dusty files for destruction. Others were headed for storage in the National Archives’ limestone cave at Lee’s Summit, Missouri, locked away for eternity.

Rosalyn Tonai of the National Japanese American Historical society said the files document Asian contributions to California and American history.

via cbs.com



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