Hark! CAAM is truly blessed to have many wonderful supporters and we’d love to show the world how awesome they really are. This is a shout out to you, CAAM members! Thank you for being your amazing self! Dear world, please meet…..
LISA LEE
Who are you?
My name is Lisa Lee. I’m a corporate tech junky by day and an unhealthy passionate volunteer by night. During my daydream hours, I devour dance movies/TV shows/YouTube videos and secretly wish that I were a dancer. I am also a film buff wannabe as I really got into indie films these last couple of years and am now trying to play catch up by watching all the classics that I missed out on growing up.
Where’s home?
Home is where the heart is, I always say. For me, that’s many places, having grown up all over the world. But when it comes down to it, it’s where I get my parents’ cookings (all of my mom’s gourmet dishes and my dad’s street-vendor-style cooking) and it’s where I have playful banters with all three of my siblings. It’s where I can kick off my shoes after a stressful day and put on quirky French music to accompany my bad cooking.
What’re you up to in the world and in the community?
Facebook currently owns half of me, and I’ve sold my other half to Hyphen magazine by serving as its publisher. Hyphen is a nationally-distributed publication & website that covers Asian American arts, culture, and politics. I started volunteering back in 2007 and have been hooked since. We are run entirely by volunteers, and that never cease to amaze me. Check out our website, www.hyphenmagazine.com, and you’ll know what I mean.
What’s your all-time favorite CAAM/Festival film?
Oh man. There has been so many because I am a true fan. I loved AU REVOIR TAIPEI from last year’s festival. I also enjoyed being completely disturbed by THE CHASER The best film that just got me was THE HOME SONG STORIES by Tony Ayres. Joan Chen was absolutely amazing in the film, and I knew right after I left the theatre that I had to get it on DVD.
Why’d you become a member?
I am a member of CAAM because it is doing such incredible work to promote Asian American artists and their work, not just during their annual film festival but throughout the year. In addition, CAAM and its SFIAAFF serve as a platforms to jumpstart thoughts and ideas that internally, move our community forward, and externally, tackle negative stereotypes by the diversity of stories that are shown. I don’t ever hesitate to send in my support because the results are tangible and obvious.
What’s your most memorable CAAM/Festival moment?
Again, there has been so many, but I would have to say that last year (of course this memory is from last year because I am getting old), I felt truly inspired at SFIAAFF’s Opening Night because everywhere I turned, I recognized people who are passionate about our community, and are all actively doing something to move Asian Americans forward as a group. There was an energy in the room that was indescribable, and I was extremely lucky to have been a part of it. I look forward to supporting CAAM as it continues to make history year after year!
