Chinatown Mural “Colors of Light” by Josh Sarantitis 12th and Vine Street
About a year ago this time I had finished shooting a community arts film project working with the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia using New York based artist Taiyo Na‘s heartfelt song “Lovely to Me (Immigrant Mother)” which honors immigrant mothers and all our moms. The music video continues to impact and touch people from all over the globe on youtube and has been an official selection at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, DisOrient Asian American Film Festival, and San Diego Asian Film Foundation.
Based on the recent success of the music video, I created a documentary version which would fuse both music video and documentary elements into one form as I had originally intended in the initial stages of the creation of this project. I am very proud and honored to have completed the documentary version of “Lovely to Me (Immigrant Mother)” and to have its premiere as an official selection of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and presented at the Asian Arts Initiative where the project first began. To celebrate all the moms who were a very special part of this film as well as the neighboring Philadelphia Chinatown Community and to premiere the work at the Initiative for PAAFF was always a dream of mine.
It has been a wonderful journey sharing this beautiful piece at various film festivals across the country and I am so proud to bring it home to Philly.
I know that both Taiyo and I hope that you can continue to share both the music video and documentary to all your family and loved ones.
Please celebrate the upcoming holidays with all those that you love and pass this warm message along.
Warm Wishes,
