Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through (at least) November 28.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least November 28.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill through the 28th and the AMC Loews Waterfront through the 25th, plus three other local theaters through the 20th. Tickets are available online.

"Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono," December 4 2 at Pitt.

"Vivid kimono" by Raita Futo (Creative Commons).

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Evan Mason and his workshop "Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono" on December 4 December 2.

Through this interactive workshop, learn about the intricate art of dressing in kimono with expert and Pitt alumnus Evan Mason. The workshop will begin with a lecture on the culture and history of the kimono in Japan followed by a demonstration of kitsuke and an opportunity for participants to dress in yukata and try out their new skills!

It runs from 5:30 to 6:30 pm 4:00 to 5:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

Work continues on Oishii Donburi in Lawrenceville.

Work continues on Oishii Donburi in Lawrenceville. It is coming soon to 5227 Butler St. (map) from the team behind Oakland's Oishii Bento. The company, founded in 2017, purchased the former Design Island and Artisan Harvest spot in May 2018.


Via Margittai Architects.

Try It Out!: Kumihimo Weaving, November 22 at Carnegie Library Woods Run.

by sayo ts (Creative Commons)

The Woods Run branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a kumihimo weaving workshop on November 22.

Join library staff each month for a drop-in opportunity to try out a new skill. From hand sewing to stop-motion animation, and from beat-making to podcasting, everyone will find something new to love! During each pop-up workshop, you will be able to discover, explore, and create. Library staff will be on hand to direct you to more learning materials if your interest has been piqued!

This program occurs on the fourth Friday of every month. This month we will be focusing on Kumihimo weaving. This program is for adults only.

It runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm and the Woods Run branch is located at 1201 Woods Run Ave. (map).

Hal B. Klein of Pittsburgh Magazine profiles KIIN Lao & Thai Eatery, which opened in Squirrel Hill this month.

I stopped by for lunch this week and, if the Nareedokmais follow through with their vision, I think that Pittsburgh is in for a real treat, one that has the potential to offer diners a culinary experience heretofore not available in the city.

“We don’t want to hold anything back. If you eat here, it should taste as it does in Laos. That is my challenge,” says Nareedokmai.

"K-Pop Fandom in Pittsburgh," November 21 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host a panel discussion on November 21 titled "K-Pop Fandom in Pittsburgh."

The deeply devoted fans play a critical role in the K-Pop global phenomenon. They support bands through concert tickets and merchandise, streaming videos, memorizing dances and gathering at conventions. K-Pop Fandom is alive and well right here in Pittsburgh. Join us for a moderated panel discussion with organizations dedicated to K-Pop in our neighborhood.

It will feature Elise Antel of the Pittsburgh Japanese Cultural Society and Tekko, Carmen Kuo of Pitt FRESA, and Tommy J. Yoo of the 412 K Town Facebook Page. It starts at 5:00 pm in 229 Barco Law Building (map).

Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충) continues in Pittsburgh through (at least) November 21.

The acclaimed 2019 Bong Joon-ho film Parasite (기생충), which opened in Pittsburgh on November 1, will continue in Pittsburgh through at least November 21.

Bong Joon Ho brings his singular mastery home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Parasite won the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It continues locally at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill through the 21st, and the Hollywood Theater, AMC Loews Waterfront, Waterworks Cinemas, and Cinemark theater at Pittsburgh Mills through the 20th. Tickets are available online.

2018 Chinese film An Elephant Sitting Still (大象席地而坐) in Pittsburgh, November 17.

The 2018 Chinese film An Elephant Sitting Still (大象席地而坐) will play in Pittsburgh on November 17 as part of this year's Three Rivers Film Festival. The film's official site provides a synopsis:

Under the gloomy sky of a small town in northern China, different protagonists’ lives are intertwined in this furious tale of nihilistic rage. While protecting his friend from a dangerous school bully, 16-year-old WEI Bu pushes the tormentor down a staircase. WEI escapes the scene and later learns that the bully is hospitalized and gravely injured. WEI’s neighbor, the 60-year-old WANG Jin, is estranged from his family and, with nothing to lose, decides to join him. Later the pair is joined by HUANG Ling, WEI’s classmate. She is bedeviled by a destructive affair with a married school official. Together, this unlikely and desperate trio, decide their only hope is to flee as the bully’s gangster brother, enraged parents, and vindictive school authorities all go on a cold-blooded hunt for WEI across town. As WEI threads his way through the urban wilderness, he begins to come to terms with his own lost life. In the end, he boards a long-distance bus with HUANG and WANG toward a city in Manchuria, where it is a rumored that a circus elephant is said to be sitting still, seeming oblivious to pain and tribulations of the world at large.

It will play at the Regent Square Theater at 1:00 pm, though tickets are not yet available.

Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) in Pittsburgh, November 17, 18, and 20.

The 1997 film Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) will play in and around Pittsburgh on November 17, 18, and 20 as part of this year's GKIDS Studio Ghibli Fest.

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes an epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences worldwide with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles, and deep humanity.

Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi, the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there.

It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, Pittsburgh Mills, and Robinson. The shows on November 17 and 20 are in Japanese with English subtitles and the November 18 shows are dubbed in English. Tickets are available online.

2016 Taiwanese documentary Small Talk (日常對話) at City of Asylum, November 20.

The 2016 Taiwanese documentary film Small Talk will play in Pittsburgh on November 20, presented by ReelQ.

Anu is a tomboy. Married off at a young age—as was customary in Taiwan in the 1970s—and had two children, Anu soon divorced her violent husband and raised her daughters alone. Since then her only romantic relationships have been with women whom, like her, earn a living as professional mourners at funerals.

It’s considered taboo in Taiwanese culture to question a mother’s love, but that’s exactly the topic of her daughter, Hui-chen Huang’s intimate portrait. Mother and daughter set off on a journey together into the past, during which Hui-chen confronts Anu with questions that have tormented Hui-chen for many years.

In a series of long shots the two women discuss loneliness, trust, and abuse, yet most of these discussions end in painful silence. Shifting focus in order to plumb the depths of their relationship, Hui-chen brings viewers along on her desperate attempts to understand her mother.

It plays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Alphabet City Word Cellar on the North Side (map), and tickets are now available online.