The 3rd Annual Taste of Southeast Asia, hosted by Khmer Legacies, had yet again a successful fundraiser at Bennett Media Studio. This year, about 20 VIPS have signed up for a recipe demonstration in Ed’s kitchen by chef Jay Weinstein (author of Ethical Gourmet: How to Enjoy Great Food that is Humanely Raised, Sustainable, Nonendangered, and That Replenishes the Earth).
Jay demonstrated cooking vietnamese pancake and explained his passion for Southeast Asian cuisine.
After the kitchen gathering, guests moved down to the event gallery space and joined other guests for an evening of Southeast Asian gourmet.
When May Ling first suggested she take a music composition I wrote and turn it into a vocal song, I had no idea how far this project would go.
And surprised I was. She not only wrote some beautiful lyrics and a haunting melody, but she sang it with such heartfelt passion, that the goosebumps were typical.
May then assembled a talented team of artists and friends to produce a magnificent and emotional short film. Director Scott Gabriel and the rest of the team, actors Shing Ka, Cheutine Fong, and the child Princess Lam, were all stars. We filmed 2 of the 3 segments in the Studio and House here at Bennett Media Studio, and it equaled some of the Network Shows shot here (Law and Order, White Collar, to name a few).
Expressing the theme of domestic abuse, the video was produced in conjuncton with the New York Asian Women’s Center, one of the largest NY area domestic violence help centers and shelters. The video became a kick off for the annual campaign for the New York Asian Women’s Center. The official screening of the video also took place at Bennett Media Studio at the annual fund raiser for the organization. At the event, May and I performed on stage as well, a song we co-wrote called “Only An Angel,” also fitting the theme of the evening.
Since then, Scott and May have been showing the film to festivals. It was a winner at the Garden State festival for the “Best Music Video,” and at the Canadian International Film Festival for the “Award of Excellence.” It was also an official selection at Palm Bay’s ’15 Minutes of Fame’ film festival as well as the upcoming SENE film festival in Rhode Island. And most recently, it was chosen as a finalist for the 2010 Las Vegas Film Festival on June 4th, 2010.
May Ling was happy to pass along some anecdotes to me about some responses:
“At both the SENE Film & Music Festival in Rhode Island and Garden State Film Festival in NJ, many of the professionals in attendance came up and personally commented on how much they enjoyed all of the production, lighting, and the acting. I had numerous lengthy conversations with people who were truly moved by Shing and Cheutine’s performances. Without fail audience questions immediately asked how we were able to find such amazing child actors for all of the scenes. Of course, everyone could not imagine how we were able to get the sets to look so stunning, and realized the amazing amount of attention to detail that must have gone into creating the correct imagery for the house, basement, and shelter scenes. ”
So congrats to the entire team (see below) for this fantastic effort and I am so happy to see the momentum behind this worthwhile project continue.
CAST
May Ling…………Singer
Princess Lam……Daughter, Young Singer
Shing Ka…………Father
Cheutine Fong….Mother
Susan Finch……..Social Worker
Caleb Gitlitz……..Young Boy
Mothers: Lillian Kui, Stacey Van Gorder, Jyoti Singh, Kelly Reeves Susaye Lawson, Emma J, Denise Violante, EJ An
Children:David Kim, Maria Kim, Paige Simunovich, Avery Violante, Kiana Shell Josiah Pujols, Ryan Leung, Wesley Leung
CREW
Scott Gabriel………Director
MinhTu Van……….Executive Producer
May Ling…………..Producer, Songwriter (Lyrics & Melody)
Ed Bennett………..Exec Music Producer, Songwriter (Musical Arrangement)
Sean Nerney………Music Producer
Ryan Halasz………Assistant Director
Milan Habijanac…..Lighting Tech
Douglas Kehl & David Goldfrank….Production Assistant
Reynaldo Carter……………………..Production Designer
Josh Dowd & Curtis Rapp…………..Set Design & Prop Master
Justin Bennett………………………..Key Grip
Rachel Stawinski……………………..Hair/Make-up
Celia Au………………………………..Casting Director
Celia Au& Ha Tran……………………Set Photographer
Nari Kim………………………..Production Assistant
NYAWC Volunteers: Kiko Kitani, Louis Mendoza, Diana Lin, Qiao Gao, Lina Wu, Leana Lung, Linda Shum, Kazuko Ishida
Special Thanks:
Tony Lam & Bun Soho Restaurant
Click HERE to see the official site of the project created by May Ling
Click HERE to see director Scott Gabriel’s creative reel.
$100 for private chef cooking lesson starting at 6:30 pm with Chef Jay Weinstein, editor of Southeast Asian Flavors.
Registration is available at http://khmerlegacies.eventbrite.com/
**** all tickets sold on this site will receive a free copy of New Asian Cuisine, a cookbook with over 100 recipes from celebrity chefs.******
For more information about the event, contact info@khmerlegacies.org or call 917.538.9644
Below is a poster/newsletter from Khmer Legacies, the co-host of the 3rd annual Taste of Southeast Asia:
About the Khmer Legacies:
Khmer Legacies is a non-profit organization whose mission is to document the Cambodian genocide through personal videotaped testimonies. We use these testimonies to further education and awareness about the Cambodian genocide.
Check out last year’s Taste of Southeast Asia Event at Bennett Media Studio:
This was a special day for me at Bennett Media Studio. I had the chance to host an event which featured I song I co-wrote with May Ling Lai called ” Someday”. Actually, the very talented May wrote the lyrics..very personal stuff, and I wrote/composed the music. However May took this song over the top by creating a short film around it, highlighting the issue of domestic violence, Here, she chose to partner with the Asian Women’s Shelter in New york City, a dedicated group which provides shelter, support and resources to Asian Women in need of help from this difficult and debilitating situation. We showcased the video, then played the Song ” Only An Angel”. The film was co-produced by Minh Tu Van, and directed by Scott Gabriel.
It was inspired by the Movie ” Holly” which addresses the issue of Child Trafficking and Prostitution. UNICEF estimates over 2 million children are sold by poor parents into this downward spiraling world.
The lyrics are meant to be sung by a 12 year old girl who finds herself trapped in this predicament.
May Ling performs the vocals , Ed played all the instruments. Lucia Lee made the Video.
This fundraiser held on Saturday December 6th was held to benefit The Bronx Acadamy of Letters School. It is a part og the Urban Assembly of New York City, where talented kids get to have a better education. We raised money for the School’s Music Program, and had the kids perform.
This Song was performed at the Schimmel Theater in New York City to benefit the Sichuan Earthquake Victims in China. Music and Lyrics Copyright Edward Bennett and May Ling Lai 2008. The original Slides were produced by Shi Yi Sheng and were displayed behind May Ling (vocalist) and myself ( Acoustic Guitar) as we performed on stage. As simple and elemental as the slides were, it did convey an emotional connection to the audience and enhanced the lyrics. There were 800 people who attended, and they gave to the Red Cross and other organizations who helped. The final numbers 70,000 killed,300,000 injured and 5 million Homeless.
This video was produced/assembled by May Ling Lai. Nice job, May!
