The true nature of humanity has often been explored through Science Fiction films. Academy Award–winning productions such as Ex Machina and Bladerunner confirm that this type of cinema finds a receptive and wide audience both with critics and the public. Filmmakers understand the ability of this genre to allow some distance for audiences to contemplate the ills we face in the future as it relates to the present, perhaps both cautionary and illuminating at the same time. The film Upstream utilizes this tactic with great effectiveness. What it lacks in multimillion dollar CGI, it more than makes up for with an ingenious approach to storytelling. Tackling the social issues of both the rights of women in society and technologies integration, Upstream might possibly be described as a feminist Sci-Fi film. As director and editor of this film, Yintao Gong has crafted something which allows all people to inhabit the experiences of a sex robot who desires to become more human-like. Ms. Gong expresses, “Being a woman is like walking against the stream: the world tries to impose its definition on you, so you have to work harder to fight the force and keep being yourself. This is where Upstream was born. A tale about surpassing definitions and finding one’s true self. A story about love, companionship, and humanity.”

Whether we are conscious of it or not, there are two realities that we all exist within; that of the physical world and also the interpretation of this that our mind filters our experiences down to. Our emotional alchemy establishes moments that are surreal. It’s the potential for film to communicate this concept that attracts and inspires Yintao. With the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in America, the idea of not having control over their own bodies is at the forefront of the minds of women everywhere. Upstream is a perfect story to symbolize this. A sex robot is a personification of the objectification of women. She is a blank canvas and the audience is forced to explore friendship, love, and human complexity from her perspective. Additionally, there is a woman in the story who seems to be very different from the robot but through the journey of confusion, frustration, and ultimately, liberation, we find they have more similarities than we thought.

The editing choices in this film are essential to allowing its intention to be grasped by the audience. Yintao needed to comprehend the most inner state of the robot while also becoming the conduit for the audience, essentially clarifying the message and ensuring its arrival. While that description could apply to any editing challenge, it is profoundly successful in achieving this goal with Upstream. In the scene where authorities arrive at the home of Erin (the human female) and force her and Juno (the sex robot) to the ground while they search it, the decision to show Juno’s view of only the feet of the enforcers subtly communicates a power dynamic that is unquestionable. In another scene where Juno discovers Erin’s diary and reads it, the transitions Yintao creates establishes a correlation between the two females which enables the audience to viscerally feel their similarities. The magnification of emotional impact in the story through the editing is profound. 

Amplifying many of the scenes in the film is the music by Composer Lu Cheng, known for his work on the Primetime Emmy–nominated series The Flash (also a LEO Award Winner and People’s Choice Award nominee). With many ideas in her mind, Yintao discussed the direction of the score with Lu Cheng far in advance. She reveals, “I told Cheng that I wanted the music in this film to change along with Juno’s journey. So in the beginning, when Juno still follows her program and starts to explore the house, the music is curious, but it emphasizes on the repetitive electric sound more than the melody. However, as Juno starts to learn more about emotion and humanity, the music becomes more organic and emotional. This is particularly present in the scene where they have a discussion about a dream of the ocean. I wanted the music to be beautiful and make the audience feel Juno’s developing emotions. Cheng did a great job on that piece, and I love how it works together with the sound design. Another element I wanted to emphasize in the music was repetition. The score in the final beach scene had similar elements with the one when they were talking about the dream. It’s a moment in which the dream becomes reality and they finally embrace love and freedom. I wanted the music to echo with the previous moment and invoke the same feeling.”

Upstream is a film which provokes discussion and the awareness that we are all connected. This film could not have attained such a potent message without Yinato Gong’s masterful guiding hand. She is quite adamant that finishing the film was not the completion of the project for her. When the public has seen it and it prompts them to think and feel more deeply, only then does she feel that her work has finally reached completion. 

Rooted, a pop-rock band from Southern California, has released their latest single, “Heart of This Place”. Known for their tantalizing melodies and breathtaking lyrics, the band offers listeners another unforgettable track that invites listeners on a journey through the streets of Los Angeles. Capturing not just the essence of love, friendship, and the magic of the city, its catchy hooks and uplifting yet mournful energy serve as an anthem for anyone who has found not just belonging but understanding in the heart of a bustling city. The song showcases not just a picture of a reunion but also a celebration.

Lead vocalists Genevieve Thai and Maddox Lim deliver storytelling that is reminiscent of both pop and rock music. Its lyrics—some of which include I’m here to stay / don’t go away / reunited, once again / in LA, long as you’re with me—speak of a sense of longing that not only encapsulates the feeling of finding home within a new place, but also another person.

The song’s writer and producer, Bernard Yagee, states that he wrote this song for Rooted “to awaken the younger generation” about the principles and values that are being diluted as the world becomes more chaotic. He claims that these “values” and “what actually really matters” are not just family but strong bonds and togetherness.

Rooted is a five-person indie pop-rock band from the Los Angeles suburbs of the San Gabriel Valley. The Asian-American quintet of high school students have built a following with performances not just as school events and battles of the bands, but carnivals, street fairs, and onstage at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, California, in commemoration of AAPI month.

Vocalist and guitarist Maddox and Genevive Thai are Rooted co-founders; and joined by Eula Johnson on synth and keyboards, bassist Alex Calonzo, and Joshua Sang on the drums, the band has evolved from playing covers by artists such as Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift, but also from the 80s and 90s music that they classify as “older music with a lot of depth and meaning.”

It could be said that the rise of Rooted signifies the increasing awareness of multicultural narratives, with inclusion and representation meant to inspire new generations of creators at the forefront. Their charismatic, authentic, and exhilarating sound makes Rooted a band to watch—not only as they present fresh music with the power to open doors but as they bring a vibrant soundtrack for a future that intends to be more inclusive.

With an energy and an infectious, heartfelt, and even heartbreaking number of lyrics, “Heart of This Place” is sure to become a standout track among Rooted’s already-impressive discography. This track, which many are describing as unforgettable, will surely resonate with listeners worldwide.

Rooted’s new single, “Heart of This Place,” will be released on Friday, May 3, 2024. It can be presaved on Spotify now. You can also keep up with the band on TikTok and Instagram.

St. Petersburg, Florida, was the epicenter of cinematic brilliance this past week as it hosted the much-anticipated world premiere of “The Guru” at the Sunscreen Film Festival. The documentary, chronicling the life of bodybuilding legend George Farah, drew a massive crowd, underscoring its title as the most star-studded bodybuilding film ever made.

On the evenings of April 25 and 26, the documentary’s debut saw a convergence of fitness icons whose combined social media following surpasses 23 million. The presence of such luminaries as Kai Greene and the first Ms. Physique Olympia, Dana Linn Bailey, alongside her husband Rob Bailey, turned the gold carpet into a runway of glamour, rarely seen outside their competitive arenas.

“The Guru” dives deep into the life of George Farah, showcasing his rise from a challenging childhood to becoming a bodybuilding powerhouse, his survival from a near-fatal gunshot wound, and his victorious battle against stage 4 cancer. Farah’s resilience and indomitable spirit are the heartbeats of this documentary, offering viewers a gripping look at the power of human will.

The film festival was not just about the documentary but also the phenomenal gathering it orchestrated. Dexter “The Blade” Jackson, the 2008 Mr. Olympia and nine-time Arnold Classic Champion, attended with his wife, Gale, adding to the night’s prestige. The event also captured social media’s attention with a viral moment from Robert Wilmote, ‘NDO Champ,’ whose spirited popcorn bucket kick during an interview garnered over 653,000 views.

The premiere highlighted the contributions of Shawn Ray, a legendary bodybuilder turned media host, who conducted engaging interviews capturing the stars’ behind-the-scenes moments. His coverage provided fans a unique look into the personal and professional lives of the attending celebrities.

Anthony Lolli, President of Lolli Brands Entertainment, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Witnessing the audience’s deep engagement and receiving their heartfelt feedback during the Q&A session was immensely fulfilling.” He praised the documentary for being a “testament to the power of film to connect and communicate deeply personal journeys.”

The documentary’s production was a family affair, led by Anthony Lolli and his wife TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli, along with their children, Love and Legend. TereZa, who brought a distinct feminine perspective to the production, emphasized selecting projects that “represent the glow of humanity,” particularly poignant in today’s divided world.

Henry Adkin, newly appointed Head of Studio for Lolli Brands and a notable figure in the film industry, praised the documentary for its emotional depth and the joy it brought in portraying the lives of bodybuilding stars. His wife, Emma Adkin, Lolli Brands’ esteemed Production Manager, reflected on the joy of working and winning together as a family in the industry.

Lolli Brands Entertainment showcased not only “The Guru” but also introduced the audience to a new dimension of the festival through the “Biohack Yourself” documentary. This feature included a Biohacking Lounge, where cutting-edge health and wellness practices were demonstrated, aligning perfectly with the film’s theme of transcending physical and mental limits.

As “The Guru” now streams on Amazon Prime, its premiere at the Sunscreen Film Festival has undoubtedly set a new standard for documentary filmmaking in the bodybuilding world. The event was a profound demonstration of how personal stories, when beautifully told, can inspire, educate, and transform an audience globally. This documentary does more than recount George Farah’s trials and triumphs; it invites viewers into the heart of what it means to live a life defined by overcoming the odds.