Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
I LOVE consuming content. I love watching films and TV shows, reading books, visiting galleries, going to Broadway, and scrolling on my stupid little phone to watch a (really cultured) white man use MSG1 to prepare cucumbers a seemingly endless amount of ways.
But lately, a lot of content has been making me sad. I haven’t been excited by TV in a minute (but I have hope now that fall premieres are coming in). The internet has made me so glum that one night this week, I rolled over after half an hour of tossing and turning to send myself this text: “I scrolled too much and now I’m sad.” That’s it. That was the tweet. Am I ok??
All that to say, though TV and the internet have been letting ya girl down, I have found rejuvenation in *cue Ms. Darbus voice* the theatre, and also in some films I’ve seen this week. One thing about watching a movie in a theatre, is that it feels like a movie. So I just wanted to take this Floor Time to tell you about three pieces of content that sparked joy, made me excited about art, and perhaps made me sad—but in the good way.
His Three Daughters
I have to give credit to my friend Sarah for inviting me to a special screening of His Three Daughters at the Paris Theatre, the longest-running arthouse cinema in New York City. It’s so magical to visit theatres with history and character (The New Parkway in Oakland comes to mind). Even though I’m a card carrying member of the Regal Crown Club, I always prefer the smaller cinemas for their charm and cozy vibe.
Now to the film. It centers around three estranged daughters (played by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne) who are forced to reunite to be with their dad on his final days. In the Q&A following the screening with writer/director Azazel Jacobs, he told us they shot the entire film in sequential order on 35mm. They shot in a real New York City apartment, not a set, and the entirety of the film happens within the complex (barring one scene exception). Typically it’s hard to pay attention to a film like this if you watch at home—I of all people understand how easy it is to get distracted by second screens. It’s not action-heavy, but the relationship between characters is agonizing, complex, beautiful, and real all at once. It’s one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time. Also let me say publicly: I have always been a fan of Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne, but I apologize, Carrie Coon, I was not familiar with your game.
Will & Harper
Yes, I saw His Three Daughters and Will & Harper before their Netflix premiere—it’s giving press pass vibes *hair flip*. Like I said, I just love going to the theatre. Coincidentally, I learned about this documentary during the previews for His Three Daughters, and found myself tearing up from the trailer alone. This is the real story of Will Ferrell (yes, that one) and his long-time friend, colleague, and ex-head writer of SNL, Harper Steele, going on a road trip. But the impetus of the road trip was when Harper came out as a trans woman, and Will suggested they reintroduce Harper to the country as her truest self.
This was just, a really well made documentary. I think its release is well timed with our current state of affairs, where trans rights are being threatened by an onslaught of heinous transphobic legislations. That said, the film for me was really a tale of two best friends getting to know each other like they haven’t before, and how beautifully that relationship grows. It’s about being brave enough to ask their friend stupid questions, and for their friend to be open to them all. It’s also fascinating to see how two people who work in comedy communicate about the darkest topics—it doesn’t come naturally (which you witness in the film) but they care, and they try, and that’s what matters.
Yellow Face
Not a film, but I saw the new Daniel Dae Kim play—an autobiographical show about Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. DDK plays DHH’s2 fictionalized doppelgänger who protests yellowface casting in the musical Miss Saigon (based on real events), only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play.
There’s a clear fictionalization in the play, but it’s rooted in the truth of the Asian American experience. I found myself the most emotional during scenes with David’s (the character) father, played by Francis Jue. He reminds me of members of my family and so many other immigrants who love this country and believe in the American Dream—even when America sometimes doesn’t love us back (topical!!!).
As a show, I think there were some pacing issues that could’ve been done better. But that’s my only critique. I think this is an incredible autobiographical piece. It’s a timeless statement on the immigrant / children of immigrants experience and what we go through as Asian Americans. It takes micro-aggressions and hits you on the head with them so hard that even the most unaware audience members pick up on them (I clocked this based on how much the audience laughter shifted through the show—the script uses humor to break up heavy topics, but at its core it calls out that racism…isn’t funny). Grab your ticket if you’re in New York! It only runs through November 24.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
Moo Deng is not cute. It’s actually kinda ugly but mostly scary because it resembles a s-l-u-g. Also, it was BITING the zookeeper?! We’re just ok with that behavior??
Something Pretty
Still not over the Bowen Yang for New Yorker Mag piece / photoshoot.




Something To Laugh About
This week’s gems are more things that bring comfort (because again, the internet made me sad):
The NYC Ferry is unparalleled. It has healing powers. Just ask this man.
I relate to this woman so much—and also, yet another reminder that I’ve never had a unique experience. If you were a foraging kid like us, RIIIISE!!!!
There’s so much I love about this interaction. The right way to ask for something from a celebrity, the right way to compensate artists, and the right way to go to a meet and greet.
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
By the way…I’m reading this.
I started All Fours by Miranda July. I’m always skeptical reading trendy books (especially ones recommended by the book clubs) but some friends have loved it, as did Amy Poehler, so I’m giving it a try.
And I’m watching this.
I’m catching up on Rings of Power! I feel like I’m a pretty gentle critic for the series—I know a lot of people didn’t like the first season. But we get LOTR content! The visuals are GORGEOUS. Sauron is HOT! And we get more of these two. I mean, c’mon, what’s not to love.
Have a great weekend! I’m trying to eke out the final dregs of summer, while also really excited for the equinox happening this weekend. In me lives two wolves!!!
‘Til next time, content absorbers. Your friend,
Clarice
so many “WHAT IS MSG?!?” comments on his videos that make me giggle. gone are these days, maybe?
two three-named influential Asian men, I’m obsessed