I find the reference to Eric Byler interesting because I met him at a small symposium where he was presenting and he’s kind of a prick with identity issues. Not to mention that he’s dismissive in regards to Southeast Asian issues and rude to a few members of the audience while pushing his political agendas and promoting his “progressive” and “empowering” non-profit that happens to be more of a political fundraising tank.

Cheers!

… and google! The Joy Fuck Club

“Truth be told, the absence of Asian American men in video porn [as opposed to erotica, hentai, etc...] has nothing to do with having the ‘right equipement’ and the ‘desire’ to be in the business. The reason is found in the obdurate anti-Asian racism of the dominant society, which is reproduced intact by the thematic conventions of U.S. video porn.”

“The Joy Fuck Club” is included in Countervisions: Asian American Film Criticism
edited by Darrell Y. Hamamoto and Sandra Liu

A review of the book:

“The essays in Countervisions venture beyond representation within the nation to other cinematic spaces transnational, queer, and “neo-Asian American” making this an exciting contribution to ethnic studies, film studies, and cultural studies.”
Lisa Lowe, University of California, San Diego and author of Immigrant Acts

A review of Hamamoto’s Skin on Skin (good god there’s a lot of other pornos with that same title):
http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=8844

“Some Asian American filmmakers featured in Masters of the Pillow commented on their concern that porno may not be the best way to forward the cause of Asian-American sensuality. Indeed, wouldn’t a film like [Eric] Byler’s CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES, an excellent romantic drama featuring a primarily Asian-American cast, be a better vehicle? Perhaps, but Hamamoto has his own agenda and he’s sticking to it – and I say, more power to him. Maybe SKIN ON SKIN won’t blow the lid off of Asian-American sexuality right away . . . but if you film it, they will cum.”

The day will come. Mika’s working on Year of the Cock, and just look at the rise of Asian sex symbols in my favorite TV show, LOST. If Daniel Dae Kim and Naveen Andrews are any indication… I’m gonna like this new trend!

My not-quite-final thought is to support people who are doing great things. And, if there’s no one out there for you to support, for yourself to be the change you want to see in the world. Don’t just sit on your ass and complain, or even worse, please refrain from gossiping about people or companies who are trying to do it… so counterproductive, and that only makes it harder!

I’m realizing that I am also interested in this subject because it parallels the once absent queer porn, which now Pink & White Productions is bringing to the forefront — studios once thought that there’d be no market for butch or boyish lesbians, not to mention Transmen… and… look at us now. Taking power into our own hands has it’s privileges. Literally.

Here’s the Daily Show’s take on it (poking a little fun, but hey, that is what they do):

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=108161&title=they-so-horny

I do not want to hear you guys saying, “Man, Mika that DVD was weak! It made Asian guys look bad. I could have done better!”

You know what?! I need a strong Asian man.
Are you out there?
STEP UP!!!
Application forms may be signed at the event or downloaded here and mailed to Mika Tan.

And so smart… http://www.asian-sirens.com/blog/comments.php?id=1055_0_1_0_C

“I believe there is a market for average Asian men having sex with pornstars to the point where I kerplunked $15K of my own money to produce a DVD, but I cannot get distribution because no company so far feels that it is a strong enough market.”

“I am trying to dispel the rumors that all Asian men are small. I need large-cocked Asian men for this project. I have received many e-mails with attachments, but hesitate to hire on sent attachments alone. I want 2 full hours of hardcore sex with Asians, Blondes, and a Redhead. I am seeking Asian men.
YOTC scenes were filmed on Monday, May 30 and Wednesday, June 1, 2005.”

http://www.generasianxxx.com/

It was comedic — for porn lovers out there, there were no explicit scenes. I would HIGHLY recommend showing this film in an Asian American Cinema class. One that is open enough for an honest discussion about pornography that is.

I’m going to write more, I swear… I may email Jeffery and pick his brain a bit. Stay tuned…

It still bugs me to no end that I could probably find professional-quality midget clown scuba porn out there somewhere, but trying to find some of the most normal things is impossible, even in just amateur websites and videos.

Oh yes, and I’ve looked hard for “Sex, Flesh in Blood”, too . . . I hear such wonderful things but it seems to be like a mirage in the desert, always out of reach.

Great, thought-provoking blog. I don’t know why Asian men aren’t prevalent in porn, but I’m definitely pondering it now.

It was one of the first times I had seen a trans performer in porn, and oooooooohhh was it hot!! I have a romanticized hard on for goth — “I’d go gay for goth!” And seeing it portrayed through Asian-American stars was so important, I don’t even have words for it yet.

Unfortunately the film’s not online — I’m hoping it will make its way to the internet someday!
I’d let you borrow it the film if I still had access to it; it was a present for my ex and he still has it. *sigh*