"Japanese Culture through Video Games," March 31 with Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania will host Dr. Rachael Hutchinson and her talk "Japanese Culture through Video Games" on March 31, a talk that was scheduled last April at Pitt but ultimately postponed.

Japanese video games have had a significant impact on the medium worldwide. Dr. Rachael Hutchinson considers how ‘Japan’ has been packaged for domestic and overseas consumers, and how Japanese designers have used the medium to express ideas about home and nation, nuclear energy, war and historical memory, social breakdown and bioethics. She explores how ideology and critique are conveyed through game narrative and character design as well as user interface, cabinet art, and peripherals. Ultimately, she argues that Japanese artists have expressed similar ideas in the video game medium as in older narrative forms such as literature and film.

The online talk is free though seating is limited and registration is required.

"Videation: Scattered Speculations on Asian Video," February 10 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present Dr. Joshua Neves and his talk "Videation: Scattered Speculations on Asian Video" on February 10. The title of the talk is the title of his chapter in Asian Video Cultures, pictured above. An overview of the talk from the Asian Studies Center newsletter:

Please join us on 2/10 @ 6:30 pm for the keynote lecture of the 2021 Asia Pop series with Dr. Joshua Neves of Concordia University. His talk pursues a series of speculations about Asian video cultures since the 1990s along three main lines of inquiry. First, it situates recent attention to internet and mobile video practices within a longer history. Second, the presentation reflects on key insights drawn from his research into the cultural and geopolitics of video technologies. Finally he turns to contemporary video forms and practices on the internet and social media tracing a range of issues about short video aesthetics, popular politics, platformization, and global tensions.

The talk was postponed from its originally-scheduled January 27 date. The talk begins at 6:30 pm, online, and registration is required.

1957 film Sumpah Pontianak online with Pitt's Asian Studies Center, rescheduled to February 17.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present the 1957 film Sumpah Pontianak on February 17 as part of its upcoming Pontianak Film Series.

Third in the series of schlocky films from the 50s. The first Pontianak film appeared in 1957 Singaporean Malay horror film directed by Indian film director B.N. Rao starring Maria Menado and M. Amin. Based on the Malay folktales of a blood-sucking ghost born from a woman who dies in childbirth. The smash hit premiered on 27 April 1957 and screened for almost three months at the local Cathay cinemas. Its success spawned two other sequels, Dendam Pontianak (Revenge of the Pontianak, 1957) and Sumpah Pontianak (Curse of the Pontianak, 1958). It is also said to have launched the Pontianak genre in Singapore and Malaysia, with rival Shaw producing its own Pontianak trilogy and several movies of the same genre were also made in Malaysia.

The movie has been pushed back two weeks from its originally-scheduled screening. It starts on Vimeo at 7:00 pm, and registration is required.

2016 Korean film Train to Busan (부산행) (online) at Pitt, February 10.

The Office of International Services at the University of Pittsburgh will present the 2016 Korean film Train to Busan (부산행) on February 10 as part of its Watch Party Wednesday series. From the Korean Movie Database:

A mysterious viral outbreak pushes Korea into a state of emergency! As an unidentified virus sweeps the country, Korean government declares martial law. Those on an express train to Busan, a city that has successfully fended off the viral outbreak, must fight for their own survival… 453 km from Seoul to Busan. The struggle to survive by those who have others to protect! Get on board to stay alive!

< The movie starts at 7:00 pm and free and open to the Pitt community, though registration is required.

"Global Issues Through Literature: To Swim Across the World by Frances Park & Ginger Park," February 18 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host a discussion of the novel To Swim Across the World by Frances Park & Ginger Park on February 18. An overview of the reading group:

This reading group for educators explores literary texts from a global perspective. Content specialists present the work and its context, and together we brainstorm innovative pedagogical practices for incorporating the text and its themes into the curriculum. Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 5-7:30 PM. Books and Act 48 credit are provided.

And a synopsis of the book, from the authors' website:

Adult/YA: To Swim Across the World is inspired by the lives of the authors’ parents. Frances Park and Ginger Park’s deeply affecting novel is based on the true story of a boy and a girl from opposite ends of the Korean peninsula who endure the Japanese Occupation, the division of their country, and, ultimately, the Korean War.

It is 1941, and Japan occupies Korea. For Sei-Young Shin, a young man from a poor family in the rural south, it is a time of oppression. Life is gentler for Heisook Pang, the daughter of a prominent minister in a northern city. In the aftermath of World War II, the power of Communism grows in the north and Heisook’s future is in peril. She makes a daring escape, slipping into the south where she meets Sei-Young, an encounter that will bond them for life.

History and its changes influence Sei-Young and Heisook in different ways, but their stories share sacrifice, tragedy, and love. Precisely and beautifully written, To Swim Across the World is a moving vision of a country’s terrible and recent past, and an intimate account of the interlocking of two lives, and two destinies.

The discussion will take place on Zoom from 5:00 to 7:30 pm and advance registration is required.

1957 film Sumpah Pontianak online with Pitt's Asian Studies Center, February 3.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will present the 1957 film Sumpah Pontianak on February 3 as part of its Pontianak Film Series.

Third in the series of schlocky films from the 50s. The first Pontianak film appeared in 1957 Singaporean Malay horror film directed by Indian film director B.N. Rao starring Maria Menado and M. Amin. Based on the Malay folktales of a blood-sucking ghost born from a woman who dies in childbirth. The smash hit premiered on 27 April 1957 and screened for almost three months at the local Cathay cinemas. Its success spawned two other sequels, Dendam Pontianak (Revenge of the Pontianak, 1957) and Sumpah Pontianak (Curse of the Pontianak, 1958). It is also said to have launched the Pontianak genre in Singapore and Malaysia, with rival Shaw producing its own Pontianak trilogy and several movies of the same genre were also made in Malaysia.

The movie starts on Vimeo at 7:00 pm, and registration is required.

2020 Goro Miyazaki film Earwig and the Witch (アーヤと魔女) in Pittsburgh, February 3 to 7.

The 2020 Goro Miyazaki film Earwig and the Witch (アーヤと魔女) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from February 3 through 7. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.

It is currently scheduled to play at the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and the North Hills on the 3rd and 4th, the Waterworks Cinema and Cranberry Cinema the 3rdh through 6th, and the AMC theaters in Sarver, South Park, and the Waterfront on the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Tickets are available online; note that some dates are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Pitt hiring Digital Marketing Manger, bilingual in Chinese preferred.

The University of Pittsburgh is hiring a Digital Marketing Manger, with a preference for someone bilingual in Spanish or Chinese and English.

The Digital Marketing Manager will support the marketing and communications of the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA), reporting to the Director of Marketing Communications. The role requires an in-depth understanding of and a passion for digital marketing, content creation, website and SEO management, social media marketing, and email/sms marketing, preferably for higher education. The ideal candidate will have professional experience working with website content management systems, social media platforms, and salesforce marketing cloud within a marketing and communications framework. Applicants should have experience with campaign planning, data-driven decision making, creative problem solving, and project management. The role will assist with developing strategic, omnichannel campaigns with shifting priorities under multiple deadlines. Teamwork will be essential as the candidate will collaborate with teammates to brainstorm, produce, create, and distribute digital content to key target audiences. Knowledge of Google Analytics and data-driven decision-making for SEO, website management, social, email, and all marketing channels utilized by the Marketing Communications team will be crucial for this role.

The incumbent will have a passion for marketing and will immerse themselves in the conversation with key audiences, competitors, and partners under the direction of the Director of Marketing Communications and in alignment with, and support of, OAFA and University goals and communication standards. The Digital Marketing Manager will proactively collaborate with all business units within OAFA and around the University to develop and manage digital content, including writing, proofreading, editing, and organizing content to ensure it is current, accurate, succinct, clear, and effective. It is preferred that the candidate be bilingual with fluency in Spanish or Chinese to assist in creating and translating marketing materials for target populations. The incumbent will also interact with various levels within or outside the University, including Deans, Directors, and Department Heads. This interaction may include interpreting and explaining ideas and concepts as well as solving problems and coordinating projects. The results of actions by the incumbent may have a significant, sometimes financial, impact on a department's operations.

More information and application instructions are available via the Pitt employment website.

Pad Thai Noodle opening soon in Oakland; N. Craig St. storefront changes hands yet again.

Pad Thai Noodle will soon open at 256 N. Craig St. in Oakland. It is run by the same couple who opened Street Noodles on the South Side in October (and who ran Golden Land Asian Cuisine the last few years until its reecent closure).

This particular location has changed hands numerous times over the past few years. It was Chiang Mai Noodle from August 2020 until recently; a different Pad Thai Noodle from August 2019; and a quick succession of Tan Lac Vien Express, Ana's Vietnamese Cuisine, and Miss Saigon 88 between 2012 and 2018.

"Baking Love Letter Cookies with Jasmine Cho," online on February 6.

NextPittsburgh shares news of an online baking event for kids on February 6.

Kidsburgh and Remake Learning Days are thrilled to present a series of baking events with Jasmine Cho. In this virtual session, learn to make "love letter cookies." These breakable cookies unveil hidden messages inside — a cookie that is sure to delight that special someone for Valentine's Day!

This event is free! However, you will need to provide your own baking supplies and ingredients. Upon registration, the recipe and Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you. We welcome interaction with kids and happily take questions.

Jasmine M. Cho is a Pittsburgh-based artist, author, and cookie activist most known for using portrait cookies to elevate representation for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. She is also a Food Network Champion (“Christmas Cookie Challenge” Season 3, Episode 8) and the Founder of Yummyholic. To learn more about Ms. Cho, please visit www.jasminemcho.com.

Online registration is free.