This story follows Heaven, who at six months old, was the sole survivor of a deadly plane crash. The Press had named her Heaven, because it seemed that she fell from the sky. Soon after, she was adopted by the powerful Kogo Family and lived a very privileged life. But then, 19 years later, things take an unexpected turn, when her wedding is attacked and her brother, Hiko, is killed trying to save her, not before warning her that the Yakuza have infiltrated her family. So she breaks free from her family and begins training to be a samurai and fight back against the Yakuza.

I am looking forward to watching this mini-series and hope that it is a sign of the times. We rarely see Asian-Pacific Islander (API) faces on prime time television and this can only lead to more opportunities for API actors/actresses.  I am however a little ambivalent that the faces are being portrayed in this type of story line.   There is more to the culture and history of Japan then just a Samurai saga. It makes me wonder if the entertainment industry believes American audiences will only watch API faces wield a samurai sword in order to keep their interest. 

I hope that this main stream format inspires more people to educate themselves about the culture and may they find a new appreciation and respect for the country as well as the people of Japan. 

Samurai Girl is a six-hour mini-series set to air over a three-day weekend on ABC Family beginning on September 5, 2008. The event, which is based on the popular young-adult novel series will star Jamie Chung, Brendan Fehr, and Stacy Keibler. The premise is based on a series of fictional books written by Carrie Asai.

(pic above posted at www.seat42F.com, Samurai Girl cast at 2008 Comic Con in San Diego, CA)

WHERE:Chinese Culture Center
Chinatown Hilton Hotel
750 Kearny Street, Third Floor
San Francisco, CA

COST:$5 Asia Society/Co-sponsor Members/Students
$10 Non-members$5 Asia Society/Co-sponsor Members/Students
$10 Non-members

This program brings together a range of artists of mixed Asian descent — a musician, a visual artist, a filmmaker and a writer — in a panel discussion moderated by noted mixed Asian scholar Dr. Wei Ming Dariotis.

Is there a collective mixed Asian community? What kinds of experiences define it? How do mixed Asian artists relate to loaded labels like Hapa, Eurasian, Afroasian, Amerasian, etc.? How is art used to express mixed Asian identity? How does artistic expression help to create a mixed Asian community? Though the panel is diverse in terms of artistic disciplines and ethnic identities, the discussion will focus on the common experiences and creative interpretations that help hold the mixed Asian community together.

Co-sponsored by the Chinese Culture Center and Hyphen magazine.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to reveiw this film by Cyan Pictures.  It was truly an honor.  Treat yourself and go see “Naming Number Two”.  This film will nourish your spirit and remind you that family is a blessing that should cherished and protected.  This film has a special place in my heart and I promise it will work its way into yours. For more on my review, visit www.luckymango.com/films

For more info on this film, visit www.namingnumbertwo.com

• Opening in the New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston areas on July 27th
• Expanding to Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, San Diego, Austin, and Honolulu on August 10th
• Nationwide rollout to follow. Check back as the release approaches for more information!