In this episode of United By Rice, hosts Junko and Ben continue their conversation around the buzzworthy film "Slanted" with its breakout star, Shirley Chen. Following earlier discussion with director Amy Wang, Shirley joins the show to reflect on her own path as a young actor navigating Hollywood while helping bring complex Asian American stories to the screen.

Shirley discusses the cultural themes at the heart of "Slanted", a bold satire that examines identity, beauty standards, and belonging through a genre-bending lens. She also shares insights into her work on "The Body", her approach to building characters from the inside out, and how independent filmmaking continues to create space for nuanced Asian American voices.

Along the way, the conversation explores Shirley’s career journey, the evolving landscape for Asian American performers, and why stories like these resonate far beyond any single community.

In this episode of United By Rice, Ben and Junko welcome filmmaker Amy Wang, the writer and director behind the bold new film “Slanted.”

Before Amy joins the show, Ben and Junko discuss the film’s powerful premise and why it has sparked so much conversation. Blending satire, sci-fi, and body horror, “Slanted” follows a Chinese American teenager who undergoes a controversial cosmetic procedure that transforms her appearance in pursuit of popularity and acceptance. The film uses that provocative idea to explore identity, assimilation, and the impossible beauty standards placed on young women today.

The hosts also take a moment to talk about some of the harsher realities of working in Hollywood, including the recent situation involving James Van Der Beek’s family, whose public GoFundMe campaign highlighted how unpredictable and fragile careers in the entertainment industry can be, even for actors audiences assume are financially secure.

Then Amy joins the conversation to talk about the personal experiences that inspired “Slanted,” including growing up as a Chinese immigrant navigating racism and questions of identity. She discusses why she chose to tell this story through genre, blending coming-of-age drama with dark satire and sci-fi elements, and how the film’s controversial premise became a way to explore deeper cultural truths about belonging and self-acceptance. The episode also dives into the casting of Shirley Chen, McKenna Grace, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the challenges of making a bold debut feature, and how Amy hopes the film resonates with audiences across cultures.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, identity, and the courage it takes to bring deeply personal ideas to the screen.

Episode 50 of United By Rice features an incredible guest: Jessica Henwick.

Before the interview, hosts Ben and Junko reflect on Henwick’s memorable career, from “Game of Thrones” and Marvel’s “Iron Fist” to standout turns in “Knives Out” and beyond. They also preview the upcoming Unforgettable Awards taking place on March 7 and what the celebration means for Asian and Asian American representation in entertainment.

Jessica then joins the show to discuss her latest film, “How to Make a Killing,” directed by John Patton Ford for A24 and co starring Margaret Qualley and Glen Powell. She reflects on her acting journey, navigating major franchises, building chemistry with collaborators, and how streaming has reshaped opportunities for actors. The conversation also dives into representation in Hollywood and how Jessica approaches choosing roles that push her career forward.

In this episode of United By Rice, Junko and Ben kick things off by reflecting on the just-concluded Winter Olympics — the moments that moved them, the athletes who broke through, and what global competition reveals about identity, pressure, and belonging. From there, they turn to two powerful Oscar-nominated documentaries, “The Perfect Neighbor” and “The Devil Is Busy,” unpacking how both films confront systems of power, morality, and accountability in radically different ways.

The heart of the episode features an in-depth conversation with directors Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton about their urgent and unflinching documentary “The Devil Is Busy.” The film examines the post-Dobbs landscape through an intimate, human lens, challenging audiences to confront the realities of abortion access in America. Gandbhir and Hampton discuss their collaborative approach, the emotional weight of telling these stories, and why empathy is not just a storytelling tool but a political act.

They also explore the role of race in shaping perspective, the necessity of decolonizing documentary filmmaking, and how authorship and lived experience inform the camera’s gaze. And in true United By Rice fashion, the conversation closes on a deeply personal note — comfort foods that ground them, connect them to culture, and remind us that even the most urgent stories begin at home.

It’s an episode about power, perspective, and the responsibility of storytelling — told with candor, craft, and heart.

In this episode of United By Rice, hosts Ben and Junko sit down with Nick Pugliese, who stars as Charlie in Paramount+’s “School Spirits,” the supernatural teen drama blending ghostly mystery with deeply human themes of grief, friendship, and self-discovery.

Nick opens up about Charlie’s evolution across the series — from insecurity and longing to self-acceptance — and how playing a teenage ghost navigating identity and relationships mirrors the very real process of growing up. The conversation explores how long-running shows allow characters to evolve in ways that feel honest and earned, reflecting the messiness of real life.

Ben and Junko also dive into Nick’s experience as a biracial actor navigating an industry that still struggles with rigid expectations. He shares how generational trauma, family history, and cultural identity shape the stories he wants to tell, and why empathy is essential to portraying characters authentically. From the impact of “Parasite” on Asian representation in Hollywood to the growing appetite for diverse narratives, the trio discuss how the landscape is shifting — and where it still needs to go.

They also talk production life in Vancouver (now a supernatural TV hub), comparisons to genre staples like “Stranger Things” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and how balancing work and life is possible even on ambitious genre sets.

And because this is United By Rice, the conversation wouldn’t be complete without talking about food — and how Japanese and Italian traditions connect culture, memory, and family.

It’s a thoughtful, candid conversation about identity, representation, collaboration, and the power of storytelling to help us accept every part of who we are.

Just ahead of the world premiere of “California Scenario” at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Junko and Ben sit down with star Will Yun Lee and director James Takata to explore a film that is as intimate as it is quietly profound.

At its core, “California Scenario” is a coming-of-middle-age love story between two single parents who meet while bringing their children to Isamu Noguchi’s sculpture garden—a space shaped by Noguchi’s own experience of incarceration during World War II. But as Will and James reveal, the film reaches far beyond romance, confronting generational trauma rooted in Japanese American and Jewish histories of internment, the lingering impact of divorce on families, and the role art plays in helping us process what we inherit.

Junko and Ben reflect on the emotional power of the film, Will’s remarkably vulnerable performance, and why stories like this feel especially urgent right now. Along the way, they also catch up on recent Oscar snubs, Ben openly acknowledges his long-standing mancrush on Will Yun Lee, and the two share a candid conversation about identity, fatherhood, healing, and creative courage.

This episode captures everything that defines United By Rice—honest reflection, cultural context, and meaningful conversations with artists telling stories that matter.

“California Scenario” premieres February 7 at SBIFF.

Junko and Ben kick off 2026 by breaking down one of the year’s most intriguing new thrillers, “The Copenhagen Test.” They unpack the show’s high-concept premise, its unnerving relevance to our current moment, and what it means to see Simu Liu leading a modern espionage series as Alexander Hale.

Then, in a true dream-guest moment, Simu Liu himself joins the conversation to talk about stepping into the role, shaping Alexander’s identity, and why the series resonated so deeply with him. Along the way, Junko and Ben dig into representation, binge culture versus weekly releases, the evolving realities of Hollywood marketing, and what awards season conversations reveal about where the industry is headed.

From personal reflections to big-picture industry insights, this episode sets the tone for the year ahead and why “The Copenhagen Test” is worth your attention.

Be sure to follow and subscribe to the podcast, and follow us on Instagram at @unitedbyricepodcast, @itsbenlei, and @gojunko.

On the 45th episode of United By Rice, Junko and Ben are joined by Lucy Liu and director Eric Lin in separate conversations to celebrate the release of the acclaimed new film "Rosemead." Inspired by a true story, the film takes an unflinching yet deeply empathetic look at mental health, family, and identity within the Asian American community. Eric Lin reflects on why the story resonated so personally with him, drawing parallels to his own family dynamics and his commitment to portraying its characters without judgment or sensationalism. Lucy Liu discusses her powerful turn in the film, a striking departure from her previous roles, and the responsibility she felt in portraying a mother navigating stigma, fear, and unconditional love. Together, the conversations unpack how "Rosemead" challenges long-held misconceptions around mental illness and violence, confronts the harmful narratives that surrounded the real-life events, and underscores the importance of nuanced Asian American representation in Hollywood.

Junko and Ben dive into a fun conversation with screenwriter Marilyn Fu as she discusses her latest film, "Rosemead," which explores themes of mental health and the immigrant experience. She reflects on her journey in the film industry, the significance of Lucy Liu's role, and the emotional depth of the story.

Marilyn also shares insights into her writing process, her upcoming project "The Copenhagen Test." The discussion highlights the importance of representation and the power of storytelling in addressing complex social issues.

In our final United By Rice episode of 2025, Junko and Ben celebrate the year by looking back on some of their favorite moments from the first 42 episodes of the podcast before welcoming filmmaker Rachel Michiko Whitney to discuss her powerful new film, "Yonsei." Rachel opens up about exploring generational trauma, identity, and the Japanese American experience through storytelling, and how family history continues to shape her creative voice. The conversation dives into the evolution of Asian and Asian American representation in Hollywood, the emotional responsibility of telling culturally rooted stories, and the balance between resilience and vulnerability onscreen. Along the way, they reflect on cultural heritage, the impact of women filmmakers, creative inspiration, and the future of more inclusive narratives in film and comedy.