Film explores
Asians’ role in porn
"Charlotte Sometimes" director Eric Byler brought to our attention a provocative documentary about the continued absence and emasculation of the Asian-American male, particularly the dearth of them in mainstream porn. Filmmaker James Hou (his last project, "The Pickup," screened at last year's festival) is a friend of his, and "apparently, I'm on there a lot" -- as on-camera interview subject and not performer!
The documentary poses questions like, Can adult films empower Asian-American men and women, or will it degrade them? Hou takes as his point of departure the scholarly article "The Joy F-- Club: Porno Promulgation to Porno Practice," by Darrell Hamamoto, professor of Asian American studies and film at the University of California at Davis. Hamamoto says there should be more Asian-American men in porn to "reorient an impoverished Western hetero/sexual imagery."
"Masters of the Pillow"
With short "Yellocaust: A Patriot Act"
Part of the Hawaii International Film FestivalScreens 9:30 p.m. Monday at Signature Dole Cannery
Note: This is only for an 18-and-over audience.
"Masters of the Pillow" explores an emerging "Yellow Porno Movement" featuring interviews with leading Asian-American cultural artists.
Following the screening, Hamamoto's "Yellocaust: A Patriot Act" will follow. Reportedly criticized by Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, it's described as "part soft pornography, but all political, (it's) a salacious short about the indignities and violence suffered by Asians."
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