Introducing the inaugural edition of ARC WORLD! Formerly known as the CCYAA, ARC (Asian Roots Collective) are celebrating Asian Excellence with this one-day Festival highlighted by Hoops, Food, Drink, and Talks. A market was set-up also, showcasing local Asian-Canadian-owned businesses.

The Festival, co-founded by Clement Chu, culminated in a celebrity basketball tournament at Toronto Metropolitan University with longtime partner and supporter Simu Liu making a huge enrtance, backflipping onto the floor!

Many notables were in attendance this year, including: Jeremy Lin, Jason Williams, Jamaal Magliore, Matt Bonner, Alex Porat, Baron Davis, Leenda Dong, and MC Jin! The latter two were spotted enjoying Omakase offerings at Sushi Yugen, while other celebrity guests enjoyed their nigiri at an event reception, catered also by the likes of Trevor Lui.

asianrootscollective.org for more.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

WE THE NORTH: From Prehistoric to Historic explores the legacy of the Toronto Raptors and the cultural significance of their unforgettable 2019 NBA Championship. Told through archival footage and iconic Raptors alumni, plus those most closely attached to their story, this is a riveting Documentary told in a concise 75 minute runtime.

Surprising at a special Toronto Screening of the Vinay Virmani-produced film directed by Sami Khan, were Executive Producer Simu Liu and NBA Champion Kyle Lowry.

Some highlights from the evening:

WE THE NORTH: From Prehistoric to Historic streams in Canada on Crave March 13, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

A hometown hero gets a welcome home! Simu Liu braved the weather conditions and delays to make it home to Toronto for his latest film, LAST BREATH. The Survival Thriller based on a true story of a diver who became trapped 100 ft under the sea without light or heat and a limited supply of breathing gas, working with a resilient team in a race against time.

The star of Blockbusters Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Barbie surprised moviegoers at TIFF Lightbox with an introduction and Q&A following the Alex Parkinson film.

A clip from the evening captured by our Nicholas Porteous:

The Film stars also Woody Harrelson and Finn Cole, with Elevation Pictures releasing in theatres February 28, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)

Elevation Pictures release LAST BREATH, starring Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu. Coming soon. Today we get a new riveting Trailer.

Directed by: Alex Parkinson
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu and Finn Cole

A heart-pounding film that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface. Based on a true story, LAST BREATH is an electrifying story about teamwork, resilience, and a race against time to do the impossible.

By Mr. Will Wong

Would you believe one of this Summer’s most anticipated blockbusters can be enjoyed right from home?

JACKPOT! stars Awkwafina, John Cena and Simu Liu. Directed by Paul Feig, this Action-Comedy arriving August 15, 2024 on Prime Video Canada, is set in the near future where a new lotto, the Grand Lottery, has arrived in California. To win it though, you’ve got to kill the winner before sundown to claim the riches, which are worth billions! Katie (Awkwafina) finds herself in trouble moving to L.A. and finding herself in possession of the winning ticket. She tnen finds herself in a race to save her life from these jackpot hunters. She’s protected by lottery protection agent Noel (Cena), and he must fend-off rival Louis (Simu Liu), the latter trying to get a commission off Katie!

We were delighted to sit-in on a conversation with Feig, Awkwafina, Cena and Liu today as they did the rounds to promote JACKPOT!

Paul Feig, who has brought us his comedic genius in Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters (2016) and The Heat, is asked what drew him to this project.

Feig: I originally receive a script titled Grand Theft Lotto, thought it sounded stupid and was not going to read it. It was days later that my producing partner Laura Fischer said, ‘You should read the script, it is really funny!’. I got into page 40 out of 100 and said, I have to do this Movie. It was too much fun. It was the Jacky Chan movie I always wanted to make. It’s funny, silly, emotional – a story about someone in over their head.

Awkwafina explains her excitement about getting to work with Feig.

Awkwafina: I was attached to the Movie already and we were looking for a Director, and Paul was interested, I was so happy. I’m a huge fan of everything he’s done since Freaks and Geeks. Also, I’ve been friends with him for some time.

Feig: We had dinner and we were both on the same page. We both wanted to make sure it felt real and grounded. It’s always dangerous doing a story about an Actor because it can be difficult to get an audience invested in someone wanting to become famous. Our goal was to make it relatable, and I think we did that.

John Cena talks about joining the project.

Cena: It’s just another day in my life – a bunch of Comedy and Action! Another day at office! I don’t think there’s anybody better to play amatueur protection agent than me!

Awkwafina takes us through her fitness journey prepping for her role as Katie in Jackpot!

Awkwafina: This did kick off my fitness journey for sure, especially in the opening sequence. Simu and I were already in action movie together and for that one I did not train. We were just hanging out at Westfield. This one I felt like it was important for me to work with the team, who are amazing and my stunt double Kiera O’Connor, and also working with John (Cena) too. I really appreciate the way John handles action scenes and is about safety. I felt very, very safe when doing scenes as a group.

Cena: You killed it, you looked great out there. You did a lot of stunts yourself and nailed the physicality.

Simu Liu describes for us his character Louis Lewis, who is seen as the villain.

Liu: Is he a bad guy or just a solid, ambitious Entrepreneur? When you’re introduced to him, he’s kind of a boss – everything John’s character wants to be. Noel is an amateur ambulance-chasing insurance salesman, who’s running after people to hire him. Louis has money and resources to rent out billboards and has got a whole compound working for him. If you won the Grand Lottery, who would you rather go with to protect you?

Feig: And nobody rocks a three-piece white suit like Louis.

Cena: What I love about the Action here is that it’s comical and realistic. There is a scene in a strip mall where we’re going through a karate studio, a yoga studio, etc. What I love about Paul‘s creativity when he said this is his Jacky Chan movie that he wanted to film – when you look at the way Jacky Chan tells a story, he’ll choreograph a fight when he gets on-set. He’ll see the audio guy or a loose chair and he’ll incorporate all those things into the action. I thought the stunt team did an incredible job at incorporating various things you’d find in a karate dojo and all that stuff yields itself to Comedy. When situations were safe, I was happy to do it. But I’m not going to sit here and say I wasn’t grateful to my stunt double. All it takes is for you to lose one of your testicles to find out that you’ve only got two more. Safety is now my prime concern. I’ll do whatever is asked of me, but when they want the stunt double to come in, Spencer (Thomas) is my guy!

Simu Liu recalls an incident where he sent a stunt perfomer to the hospital.

Liu: 90 to 95% of my movements were more straightforward – a couple falls and I had an amazing stunt double Will (Tang) who stepped in. Do you remember when I sent a stunt guy to the hospital?

Cena: Don’t let that sleuth fool you, he’s an athlete! He was taking Choreography and amplifying it!

Simu: What was his name? I did a batckick and couldn’t see where I was kicking, the wires got crossed and I felt so so bad!

Cena: He was back on-set within an hour!

Awkwafina: The whole stunt team was the best, without them, action movies cant exist.

Cena: They were actually happy finally to do Action-Comedy so that they could laugh at the stunts.

Paul Feig comments on his casting eclectic and talented Casts.

Feig: When I do Comedy, I have people that I work with who are ‘money in the bank’, where they can literall have one line and I know they’re going to make it into something… It was like a team of these up and coming Comedy people.

Dolly De Leon whom I saw in Triangle of Sadness and was so great. I couldn’t believe we got her. I just like to have a deep team of really talented Comedy people who will take what we have and make it into something else.

Don’t forget to stream JACKPOT! when it arrives August 15, 2024 on Prime Video Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

The 2024 CCYAA Celebrity Classic capped off a day of fun-filled activities, including a food and shopping bazaar, FRESH FEST and a youth variety show, YOUTH JAM.

The fun took place last night at Mattamy Athletic Centre, drawing another star-studded who’s-who in talent including Jeremy Lin, Dominique Wilkins, Gordon Cormier, Jason Williams, Olivia Cheng, Julie Kim, The Brothers Sun stars Justin Chien and Sam Li, plus MANY more!

So wonderful seeing Simu and The CCYAA committed to the amazing work they do for our youth across the GTA! The way Simu always smiles when he sees me. So proud of him!

Some snaps:

An overview of events yesterday’s events:

CELEB CLASSIC 2024
BASKETBALL GAME (MAIN EVENT)
Watch a Hollywood actor, an NBA legend, your favourite YouTubers and more lay it all on the court for a good cause. Catch rival matchups, fierce competition and hilarious beef in this epic game you won’t want to miss.

Coaches: Dominique Wilkins and Jack Armstrong

FRESHFEST
Come experience FreshFest, a curated collective of Toronto’s leading Asian-owned businesses. From Chefs and makers to community leaders and supporters, FreshFest is the place to taste, sip, shop and play.

Vendors:

EAT
The Alley
Bungkus
PAI
Hong Shing
A-Sha x Super Noodle Company
Chef Suman Ali
Namwan
EATABLE Popcorn
Sisters & Co
Gushi Japanese Street Food
Roselle Desserts x Steven Tran Chocolates
DaanGo Cake Lab

SHOP
SoleStop
Chronic Ink
Osume
KayTran Eyewear
Dim Sum City
Banana Games & Hobbies
Jollybeast
Tuft Theory
Hey Fun Market
Mindzai
Kalamansi Collective
Pin Boy Fresh
Styll
Akira
draa
Arcadia Puzzles
ArtketGoods
Bowl Cut Paper Goods

YOUTH JAM VARIETY SHOW
A high-energy, family friendly show featuring performances and celebrity appearances inspiring the next generation to dream big and break barriers.

Learn more here.

(Photo/video credit: CCYAA/Mr. Will Wong)

Today we get a new Trailer for Netflix‘s ATLAS starring Jennifer Lopez and Simu Liu. It arrives May 24, 2024.

Details:

Director: Brad Peyton
Writers: Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite
Producers: Brad Peyton and Jeff Fierson for ASAP Entertainment; Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell for Safehouse Pictures; Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina for Nuyorican Productions; and Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter for Berlanti/Schechter Films
Executive Producers: Samson Mücke, Michael Riley McGrath

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, Gregory James Cohan, Abraham Popoola, Lana Parrilla and Mark Strong

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

We kennot contain our excitement about Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE! The Fantasy-Comedy takes us away to Barbie Land, where Barbie (Margot Robbie) is rejected for her imperfections. This leads to both she and Ken (Ryan Gosling) heading-off to the real world where they discover themselves for the first time!

Kicking-off Kenada Day long weekend, two of the star-studded film’s Kens, played by Gosling and Simu Liu, got a grand welcome home to their native Kenada. Supported by their family and friends, the duo walked the glittery pink carpet at aptly-chosen hotspot Margo in Toronto. They graced the presence of hundreds of lucky contest winners, plus TV and Radio media, plus Influencers at the event, graciously giving their time to chat about what looks like a surefire summer smash for Warner Bros. Pictures Kenada.

The event literally transformed King St West. into Ken St. West.

Guests got to enjoy complimetary Barbie and Ken makeovers in a Barbie-fied Beauty Bar, dance their hearts out at the best dance party ever on the rooftop patio. There were fun and kitschy photo ops too, including one with a Kenada Beach backdrop – pink sands and all with the CN Tower overlooking it all. One lucky winner was awarded a trip for two to Los Angeles with tickets to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, a one-year supply of NYX Cosmetics, and a signed Kenada surfboard.

This event was epic and though we already were too excited to see BARBIE, we are now at peak excite! So amazing seeing guests dress-up, channeling their inner Barbies and Kens. And yes, that was Gosling head-to-toe in Gucci. Judging by the sea of pink, Toronto certainly got the memo right.

See a Reel of highlights from the event:

Some Snaps from the night:

Warner Bros. Pictures Kenada release BARBIE nationwide on July 21, 2023 and beginning internationally on July 19, 2023. The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring smash hit “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa also is out July 21, 2023 via Warner Music Canada!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada/Mr. Will Wong)

Canadian Screen Week 2023 has concluded with celebrations taking place over four days at Toronto’s Meridian Hall, honouring the achievements of Canadian talent in film, television, and digital media.

History was made this year in the Film and Television categories with records being set. CBC’s The Porter went on to win a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards, leading television honours overall. Wins include: Best Drama Series; Best Direction, Drama Series, presented by Playback; Best Writing, Drama Series; and Best Guest Performance, Drama Series for Alfre Woodward. The award for Best Lead Performer, Drama Series went to Hamza Haq for CTV’s Transplant, making this his third consecutive win as a lead in the series.

In Comedy, the sophomore season of CBC’s Sort Of took home an inpressive seven Canadian Screen Awards. Among those wins was Best Comedy Series; Best Lead Performer, Comedy, presented by the Canada Media Fund, for Bilal Baig; Best Guest Performance, Comedy for Amanda Brugel; and Best Writing, Comedy, for Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, marking back-to-back wins for the pair in this category. 

Film honours were led by Clement Virgo’s Brother, which like The Porter, received a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards at The Cinematic Arts Awards, presented by Telefilm Canada and supported by Cineplex, on Thursday, April 13, including: Best Motion Picture; Achievement in Direction, and Adapted Screenplay for Clement Virgo; Performance in a Leading Role, presented by Telefilm Canada, for Lamar Johnson; and Performance in a Supporting Role for Aaron Pierre.

Special Awards were also handed-out through the week, culminating a star-studded conclusion to the week with the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Catherine O’Hara in-attendance. Honourees this year include:

–Ryan Reynolds, recipient of the Humanitarian Award, presented by Paramount+, was presented his award in a touching moment (see Reel below) by Everett Ho, SickKids patient ambassador, and Lisa Charendoff, Associate Director, Community Stakeholder Relations at SickKids Foundation. Winner Amanda Brugel also wanted Reynolds in on her victory photo!

–Catherine O’Hara, recipient of the Academy Icon Award, presented by CBC, received her award from Karen Robinson, her former Schitt’s Creek co-star.

–Simu Liu, recipient of the Radius Award presented by MADE | NOUS, recognizing a Canadian whose work is making waves globally

–Lisa LaFlamme, recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism, recognizing a Canadian broadcast journalist for their exceptional body of work in broadcast journalism

–Pierre Bruneau, the recipeint of the Lifetime Achievement Award for exceptional work with an impact at home or abroad

–Peter MacNeill, recipient of the Earle Grey Award, presented by eOne for their exceptional body of acting work in Canadian television and film

–Tracy Moore, recipient of the Changemaker Award, which recognises and honours those in the media community in Canada who are using their voice or platform to call out systemic racism and discrimination, supporting and amplifying the voices of those who are actively engaged in anti-racist work, and seeking structural transformations in media, film, and television in Canada that promote values of equity and inclusion

–Paul Pope (post-humous), the recipient of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute 

–Jennifer Podemski, recipient of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute, honouring a Canadian individual for their extraordinary impact on the growth of the Canadian media industry

A Reel of Highlights from tonight’s Red Carpet:

The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee on Sunday, April 16, 2023 on CBC and CBC Gem at 8 PM (9 AT, 9:30 NT). The winner of the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award will be unveiled on the broadcast. Special guests also include Amy Poehler, Mae Martin, Adam DiMarco and Lamar Johnson. 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Mr. Will Wong

April Mullen‘s SIMULANT got the Red Carpet treatment tonight at Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. The Sci-Fi Thriller was filmed in and around Toronto last year. Stars Sam Worthington, Robbie Amell, Masa Lizdek, Emmanuel Kabongo and Mullen were in attendance at the affair, brought to us by Mongrel Media and Telefilm Canada. Italia Ricci also came out to support her husband, Amell!

The Film looks at the consequences of Artificial Intelligence in a world where simulated versions of humans are looking to access the same things that their human counterparts have. At the center of the story is a woman named Faye (Jordana Brewster) who is torn between her love for her late husband Evan (Amell) and his surviving simulated version. The gorgeously-shot Feature certainly leaves audiences thinking and also stars Toronto’s Simu Liu as well.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Mullen and the Cast of SIMULANT.

Masa Lizdek plays an Android named Lisa. She has built a solid body of work appearing in productions like The Handmaid’s Tale, Saving Hope, Murdoch Mysteries and TIFF selection, THE WAITING ROOM. She tells us about this amazing opportunity, starring alongside a prolific Cast. All she had to do was be herself in the audition.

Lizdek: “‘I remember asking my agent, ‘Do you think I should go all out and put on this wig?’ and she was like, ‘Just go as yourself, look like your headshot. Don’t be extra, Masa. Just calm down’. Low and behold, being super-natural paid off, April liked what she saw and she offered me the role. I was more than happy to take that.”.

She tells about the extensive work that went into her makeup, costume and prosthetics.

Lizdek: “So they did a lifelike cast of me, silicon mold that was later silicon-cast, and then it was patinaed to give a nice skin tone. There was a styrofoam wig involved, we put on some lashes. We played a bit with teeth, I don’t think that worked out. Some contact lenses…”.

April Mullen who has been behind the lens in films like Wander, Below Her Mouth and series like The 100, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Wynonna Earp and several more, helms SIMULANT. She tells us about her decision to jump aboard this project, which was filmed over 20-plus days under some unpredictable weather conditions.

Mullen: “At the beginning, I read the Script actually eight years ago with AI technology was not like what it is now at all. It felt a lot more far-fetch and Sci-Fi to be honest. But the ending tore me up so much that I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know who I was rooting for of the main characters. The Simulants were almost more appealing than the human beings because they were so focussed on one role, which was love. It opened-up a whole can of worms in my brain because I’ve always been an advocate for humanity. I just couldn’t sleep and had to make this next film.”.

We ask Mullen what she hopes the audience will take away from this Film.

Mullen: “I hope audiences really look inward, think about what they saw and reflect on it because I think AI technology is getting closer and closer to becoming intimate partners in friendships and relationships. We’re losing connection between ourselves that we’re almost becoming more isolated because we’re entertained in our own little boxes. What I think is so beautiful about humanity is that we can touch hands – I see a father and daughter tying a shoe and I’m inspired to make Art. I don’t want to lose that.”.

Toronto’s own Robbie Amell talks about playing a dual role in one as the real Evan and the other, his simulated counterpart.

Amell: “The nice thing is when April and I talked about it, you’re not supposed to know that they’re Sims. They’re supposed to be very real. They’re supposed to be very real and the Sim should have all the memories that Evan had. So really I’m just playing one character until he finds out that he’s a Sim. And then things start to change a little bit. There’s that moment he opens the door and he just walks away from it. It’s built into his programming he’s not allowed in there, so it shouldn’t feel weird to him at all.”.

With the Film having Simu Liu‘s name literally in its title, we had to ask what it was like working with the Shang-Chi star.

Amell: “I’m a huge Marvel fan and a huge Simu fan. I saw Shang-Chi in theatres, I loved it. Immediately when we worked together, I asked him about the bus scene and he’s awesome. He’s super-fun, super-prepared and he knows his stuff, he’s very funny and super-talented. I’m very happy he’s getting the success he’s getting and I was super happy to work with him.”.

Avatar leading man Sam Worthington had a day off and Toronto was fortuante enough to have him back. He plays Artificial Intelligence Compliance Enforcement (AICE) agent Kessler (Sam Worthington), who is out to target SIMs. He reflects upon his experience filming in and around Toronto.

Worthington: “Well we had to drive down to Hamilton a lot, so that’s a long trip, but I like the people – they’re friendly.”.

He tells us what he felt was the toughest thing about embody Kessler.

Worthington: “Getting the costume right. I kinda built that from the outside. I kinda had a costume I wanted to wear… and then you have to convince the Director you’re on a different track.”.

Asides from the next installment of Avatar, he tells us what we can expect next.
Worthington: “I’m doing Kevin Costner‘s movies (Horizon) There’s four films.”.

A reel of highlights from the night:

Mongrel Media release SIMULANT in theatres April 7, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media/Mr. Will Wong)