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The acclaimed filmmaker Karen Cho discusses her new film, Big Fight in Little Chinatown, the opening night film of DOXA: Documentary Film Festival this Thursday, 04 May 2023, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Big Fight in Little Chinatown is the new feature documentary from the acclaimed filmmaker Karen Cho. It’s also the opening film at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival. The film screens this Thursday, 04 May 2023 and Tuesday, 09 May 2023. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information, and do check back as screenings are usually added for popular films. This film will no doubt be one to watch, as Vancouver is one of the three cities that Ms. Cho, who joins me now, features. The movie is about community resilience and resistance as Chinatowns across the United States and Canada face the challenge of the COVID pandemic, and the rise of anti-Asian racism. Vancouver’s Chinatown, along with New York City’s and Montreal’s come into focus in this film, as Karen chronicles the challenges not just in recent years, but historically. Chinatowns have always been a target, not just of developers, police, or governments, and as we see in the film, this is but the latest challenge. It does seem critical though, especially now, so I’ll ask Karen what’s so special about Chinatowns, and why it’s urgent to save them. Karen Cho is the award-winning filmmaker of In the Shadow of Gold Mountain, Seeking Refuge, and Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada. And not just at DOXA, but at events across the country, there’ll be screenings between now and the fall in Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston, with more cities and events to be added. The film will also be broadcast on Radio Canada, and TVO. Visit www.bigfightinlittlechinatown.com. We taped this interview nearly two weeks ago, with Karen joining me from Montreal. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Karen Cho; Ms. Cho, good morning.

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The filmmaker Nettie Wild discusses her work and career, and the new short film by Hân Pham and Dave Rodden-Shortt Chasing Light, which she is the subject of, which will screen at DOXA: Documentary Film Festival.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival begins this Thursday, 04 May 2023, and joining me now is somebody who’s no stranger to the festival, Nettie Wild. She’s the subject of a new short film by Hân Pham and Dave Rodden-Shortt, Chasing Light. It’s part of the Memory With(out) Home program, with at least two screenings, the afternoons of May 6th and 11th. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for more information on showing dates and times, and of course tickets. Nettie Wild is a 2023 recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, and Chasing Light was made as part of the prize, a tribute to the recipient. I’ll ask Ms. Wild about what we see in the film, how she views her work and her career, and her latest project, a video triptych she’s made with Scott Smith. It’s currently at the Comox Valley Art Gallery until May 27th. Nettie Wild is one of Canada’s leading documentary filmmakers whose films include KONELINE: our land beautiful, FIX: The Story of an Addicted City, A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution, and A Place Called Chiapas. We’ll talk too about her move into art installations, and how it’s a natural transition from filmmaking. Visit www.canadawildproductions.com for more information on her, and her work. This new film is a production of Lantern Films. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Nettie Wild; Ms. Wild, good morning.

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The author Kevin Chong discusses his new novel The Double Life of Benson Yu (Atria Books, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Double Life of Benson Yu

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Kevin Chong joins me again. He’s just published a new book, his seventh, The Double Life of Benson Yu. I’ll ask Mr. Chong about this new work that’s described as a “fresh, unique work of metafiction that follows a graphic novelist who loses control of his own narrative.” I finished the book this weekend and it’s a mesmerising novel that takes place in an urban Chinatown that’s recognisable, and has characters that are fascinating, challenging, and that demand your attention. The story takes place in the 1980s, and in the present, and if I say more I’ll probably end up giving it away. I’ll ask Kevin to reflect on some of the themes that recur in the book, trauma, abuse, family, and writing itself. Kevin Chong is the author of six previous books of nonfiction and fiction, most recently The Plague. Is work has appeared in a number of publications including the Guardian, the Times Literary Supplement, the Rumpus, and the South China Morning Post. He is associate professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in the faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. His website is at www.thatkevinchong.com. This new book is published by Atria Books, which is an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Kevin Chong; Professor Chong, good morning. 

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The artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest Leslie Hurtig talks to Joseph Planta about their upcoming Bestsellers Series, which will feature among others, Margaret Atwood, Louise Penny, and R.F. Kuang.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Leslie Hurtig joins me again. The artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest is on to preview their upcoming Bestsellers Series. It’s a chance to see some of the biggest literary stars, as well as a chance to raise funds for the beloved Writers Fest. There are three events in May: On May 7th Margaret Atwood will be in conversation with Ian Williams. May 13th, Louise Penny will join Shelagh Rogers. And on May 22nd, R.F. Kuang talks to Eddy Boudel Tan. Unfortunately, tickets are going fast, and I believe the Atwood event is sold out already. But like with Writers Fest events, be sure to check their website regularly, as well as their social media accounts to see if new seats will be released, or if tickets come up because somebody might not make it. www.writersfest.bc.ca is the website. There’s also another event at a later date, which Leslie will mention. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Leslie Hurtig; Ms. Hurtig, good morning.

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The bookseller Hilary Atleo, owner of Iron Dog Books, talks to Joseph Planta about Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, Saturday, 19 April 2023.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Vancouver has such a rich bookstore scene, and it’s because of independent bookstores that you can find throughout the city like Pulp Fiction, Massy Books, Black Bond Books, and more. Joining me now is Hilary Atleo, a board member of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association and the owner of Iron Dog Books at 2671 East Hastings Street. This Saturday, 29 April 2023 is Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, and it’s a good time to ask Hilary about Iron Dog Books, its genesis, and how it’s doing as we move into a different stage of the pandemic. Hilary has great insights as to why bookstores like hers are necessary in our neighbourhoods. Also, I’ll get her to preview what the day will be like this Saturday at Iron Dog Books. Visit www.irondogbooks.com for more information. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Hilary Atleo; Ms. Atleo, good morning.

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The writer and historian Rick Antonson, joined by his grandson Riley Antonson, discusses his new memoir Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer (Greystone, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Train Beyond the Mountains

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

One of the delightful books of the season is the latest from Rick Antonson. The travel writer and historian has written other books about his travels, but there’s nothing quite as special and captivating as his book about a train journey with his grandson, Riley. The book is called Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on The Rocky Mountaineer. In it, Rick recounts a journey from Banff along the route travelled by the Rocky Mountaineer to the west coast, here in Vancouver, and up through Jasper, Alberta back to Banff. We get a sense of the geography of this part of Canada, and the topography of these mountains, the trestles and tunnels through Alberta and British Columbia that also symbolise a lot of history of this country and generations of peoples along the way. The book also illustrates the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, as they navigate not just this journey but a passing moment in a growing child’s life. Rick and Riley join me now. I’ll ask them what the trip was like, what they both got out of it, and whether a journey like this is recommended for a ten-year-old child. Both Rick and Riley are older now, as it’s been about four years since they took this trip, so it’ll be good to reflect on how each viewed the experience then as now. Rick Antonson is the former president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, now Destination Vancouver. He served as chair of the board for Destinations International, and vice chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. He was vice-president of Rocky Mountaineer during its start up years, and I’ll ask him what it was like then as this brand was starting out, and about the vision of its founder Peter Armstrong. The website for more is at www.rickantonson.com. This new book is published by Greystone. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Rick Antonson; Mr. Antonson, good morning. And please welcome to the program as well Riley Antonson; Mr. Antonson, good morning.

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The writer and broadcaster Connie Kuhns discusses her new book Rubymusic: A Popular History of Women’s Music and Culture (Caitlin Press, 2023), her radio show, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Rubymusic

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Connie Kuhns joins me now. She’s just published Rubymusic: A Popular History of Women’s Music and Culture. It’s collects just some of the remarkable work Connie has done in over forty years, whether as a writer, a broadcaster, a music critic, and an interviewer. In 1981, she approached Vancouver Cooperative Radio to host a music show dedicated solely to playing music by women. There was some doubt as to whether there was enough music that she was only given a half hour. But even before the radio show Rubymusic, which she hosted for fifteen years, going off the air in 1996, when she was on weekly Friday nights for two hours, she was chronicling the music scene here in Vancouver and beyond. The book has got profiles and interviews with a myriad of artists including Ferron, Etta James, kd lang, Michelle Shocked, Amy Grant, Ellen McIlwaine, as well as essays on Yoko Ono, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell. Some of the interviews are previews of an artist’s appearance in Vancouver, some are reviews of the shows themselves. It’s a marvelous time capsule of the music scene here, and the various venues gone and still around. The book also provides insight about Kuhns and the role music plays in her life. It’s a book everybody ought to read. Connie Kuhns’s essays have been finalists for Canada’s National Magazine Award, Western Magazine Award, and PRISM International’s creative non-fiction prize. She was a finalist for Canada’s Salt Spring National Art Prize, receiving the award for Outstanding Salt Spring Artist. This new book is published by Caitlin Press. She joined me from Salt Spring Island this past weekend. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Connie Kuhns; Ms. Kuhns, good morning.

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The writer and former editor of Chatelaine Rona Maynard discusses her new memoir Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World (ECW Press, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Starter Dog

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

One of the better books of the season is one I’ve been looking forward to for a while now. Anybody that knows Rona Maynard, knows in recent years, she and her husband Paul added a dog in the family. Casey, through Rona’s accounts on Facebook, is more than a pet, and he’s added so much to their lives, especially Rona’s, who when Paul brought up the subject of getting a dog, refused. In Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World she recounts how Casey found his way into Rona and Paul’s home, especially Rona’s heart. We see a person transformed, and what’s enjoyable to read is her outlook on life and the people that she encounters along the way; people she might not have had any interaction with were it not for Casey. Rona joins me now to discuss the book, and more. She first appeared on the program in 2007 when her memoir My Mother’s Daughter (another great book) was published. She appeared a few times after that, though it’s been nearly twelve years since she was last on. I’ve always liked her frank, clear voice, over the phone or on the page; a lot of people read her editor’s note in Chatelaine between 1995 and 2004 when she was its editor. Something like one in four English-speaking women in Canada read that magazine then. She is a noted public speaker and lecturer on memoir and mental health. She was honoured by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health for her advocacy on mental health, that began with a column she wrote in 1997 where she discussed her depression. Visit www.ronamaynard.com for more. This new book is published by ECW Press. We spoke late last week. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Rona Maynard; Ms. Maynard, good morning.

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A studio recording of a new work Clicquot: A Revolutionary Musical is out now, and Lisette Glodowski, who co-wrote with Richard C. Walter, the show’s book, music and lyrics, talks to Joseph Planta about the inspiring figure at the heart of the show, and more.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Last month the studio cast recording of a new work Clicquot: A Revolutionary Musical was released. This Friday, 14 April 2023, the EP will be out, and it’ll be a great way to hear six pieces from the new musical by the creative duo Lisette Glodowski and Richard C. Walter, who wrote the book, as well as the music and lyrics to the piece that chronicles the love story set amidst the French Revolution. At first it was an arranged marriage for Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, who married François, who dreams of taking his father’s wine company international. They decide to take the risk of running a business but there is turmoil thanks to the Napoleonic Wars, as well as François unexpected death. Several historic figures like Bonaparte himself intersect with Barbe-Nicole’s, as well as Jean-Remy Möet, who wishes to unsettle our heroine’s plan to continue the wine business. Lisette Glodowski joins me now, and I’ll ask her about what drew her to this remarkable figure, and the process of writing a show like this from the ground up. She is a composer/lyricist, performer, choreographer, and educator. She received her MFA in Musical Theatre Writing at New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts, and her BFA in Musical Theatre at East Carolina University. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, and the recipient of the Dramatists Guild Foundation Grant in 2020. Visit www.lisetteglodowski.com for more. This new album is out now from Brainstorm Records and Yellow Sound Label. Visit www.ClicquotMusical.com for more information. We spoke two weeks ago, with Lisette joining me from North Carolina. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Lisette Glodowski; Ms. Glodowski, good morning.

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The two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich talks about his recent collection The Twisted History of the GOP (ECW Press, 2022), his work that’s appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Twisted History of the GOP

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Mike Luckovich joins me now. The award-winning editorial cartoonist recently published a collection of his work, The Twisted History of the GOP. It brings together recent work that, as he puts it, highlights the descent of the Republican Party into a fascist, racist, anti-science, pro-conspiracy cult. I’ll ask him why he views it so, and review some of the biting, often funny cartoons he’s drawn over the years, as the once proud, competent counterbalance to the Democratic Party began to change in the 1990s with the rise in influence of Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, the NRA, and FOX News. Sometimes the cartoons are delightful and playful, and sometimes they’re depressing and leave one with little hope. The twice-impeached conman, former president Donald Trump still remains a vital part of the party, and for some time yet. I’ll ask Mr. Luckovich about how he copes, and how he views his work in the political climate of his country. Mike Luckovich is a Seattle native, who has received two Pulitzer Prizes (1995 and 2006) for his editorial cartoons that have appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989. His cartoons are reprinted in newspapers across the United States, and have been included in his previous books Four More Wars!, and A Very Stable Genius. In 2005, he received the Reuben Award, presented by the National Cartoonists Society for Cartoonist of the Year. Visit www.mluckovich.com for more, especially if you want to buy signed prints. His Twitter handle is @mluckovichajc. The book is published by ECW Press. We spoke yesterday, with Mike joining me from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Mike Luckovich; Mr. Luckovich, good morning.

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