URL: https://library.spscc.edu/filmsymposium
The Asian American Inclusion and Visibility Community of Practice proudly presents the Asian & Pacific American Film Symposium. All of the events will be held at the Minnaert Center for the Arts. Each film event will be hosted by SPSCC faculty who will introduce and contextualize the film for the audience. Following the film is a lightly catered reception in the lobby of the theater where the film host will be available to facilitate a discussion and encourage attendees to network and socialize together while discussing the film.
Eric Chase & Michael Gray
The original 1954 film Godzilla is a classic monster movie. But much like Frankenstein or The Wizard of Oz, there's much more below the surface. Come watch our debut film presentation of Godzilla, eat some great food, and talk with professors Eric Chase and Michael Gray about how this film is not only a monster classic, but an allegory of post-WWII Japan. This is our first film in a series for the Asian & Pacific Film Symposium at SPSCC.
Michael Gray is an educator and filmmaker who currently teaches film at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington. He has created video for businesses, non-profits and artists, developed multiple web series, hosted and facilitated podcasts, directed numerous short films, and produced music videos. In addition to teaching at South Puget Sound Community College, he has also taught at North Hennepin Community College, Ohio University, Georgian Court University, and University of Essex.
Patti Poblete
Sometimes considered an independent precursor to the Fast and Furious series, Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) is director Justin Lin’s examination of overachieving Asian American high schoolers who, dissatisfied with their roles in life, turn to crime.
Patti Poblete [poh-BLEH-teh] is English faculty at South Puget Sound Community College and part of the editorial team for WPA: Writing Program Administration. Previously, she acted as WPA at Henderson State University. Her research includes public and digital rhetorics, writing pedagogy, and cultural criticism. Ask her about dragons.
Matt Ito
Traditionally, loko iʻa, or fishponds were a vital food structure in Hawaiʻi—sustaining thousands of people across hundreds of ahupuaʻa (land divisions from the mountains to the sea) throughout the islands. With the rise of settler colonialism and ongoing development, however, these structures—and the relationships that they maintained—began disappearing from the land and consciousness of people in Hawaiʻi.
What is the value of reconnecting to the structures that feed us? What can restoring loko iʻa teach us about where our food comes from? What it means to be an ally? And what can the land teach us about how we must care for it? Hiʻilei Kawelo notes that ʻāina (land, literally translated as “that which feeds”), “allows us to maintain a reciprocal connection” (168). How might understanding this reciprocity open us toward possibilities of self-determination, decolonization, and sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and agriculture? Join us for a screening and discussion of Kai Piha: Nā Loko Iʻa with a following discussion moderated by Professor Matt Ito of the English Department at SPSCC. Light pūpūs (refreshments) will be provided.
Kawelo, Hiʻilei. “Fishponds, Food, and the Future in Our Past.” The Value of Hawaiʻi II: Ancestral Roots, Oceanic Visions, University of Hawaiʻi Press, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 2014, pp. 163-170.
We are in the process of inviting a special guest speaker for the last film event in this symposium series. We'll add more information when arrangements have been confirmed. Stay tuned!
We are members of The Asian American Inclusion and Visibility Community of Practice, a group of faculty and staff interested in increasing awareness of Asians and Asian Americans (i.e. AAPI – Asian American and Pacific Islanders) – both on the SPSCC campus and beyond – through community-facing events that highlight AAPI experiences as well as academic and creative projects.
We were granted the Exceptional Faculty Award in December 2024, which made the Asian & Pacific Film Symposium possible.
