ARTS AND CULTURE

JACK YUANWEI CHENG/the Justice DANCE: Dance Revelasian is a Chinese folk dance promoting group fostering the ethnic culture in the practice of dance.

APAHM “OPENING”

By LYNN HAN

JUSTICE EDITOR

The Brandeis Asian American Student Association kicked off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with their opening event this past Saturday, Feb. 12. APAHM is an annual show celebrating the diverse cultures and histories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. BAASA began their monthlong celebrations with a night of performances, showcased by student performers and their headliner, Taiwanese pop singer Jason Chen.

Judy Ye ’24, APAHM’s creative showcase coordinator, explained how APAHM is the biggest event that BAASA holds: “It consists of three events — Opening, Creative Showcase, and Closing. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is usually during the month of May, but May is Brandeis’ finals season, so BAASA holds events throughout the semester to celebrate APAHM.”

This year’s theme of APAHM is “Ride With the Waves,” said Ye. “It’s a metaphor for mental health. Waves come and go, and sometimes times can get rough; but with the right support, the wave will eventually pass, and you’ll sail to calmer waters.”

Maggie Chang ’23, APAHM’s Opening and Closing co-coordinator, further explained the importance of focusing on mental health, especially in relation to uplifting minority voices: “Mental health and its treatment have long been a stigmatized wedge splintering generational bonds in Asian families and preventing individuals from seeking help. Too often, Asians with mental illness are marginalized, isolated, and discriminated against because their conditions are misunderstood. [Like Judy said,] Mental health acts like waves. It ebbs and flows, and even crashes down on us without warning. When waves start to become rough, we feel like we might sink at any moment, but with the right support, we can learn to ride them out to calmer waters. Through our APAHM events, we aim to raise the voices of people in the Asian community with lived experiences.”

The thoughtful theme of this year’s APAHM, paired with the exciting performances resulted in an enjoyable experience. Both Ye and Chang agreed that watching Jason Chen and “Rice Paddies,” the e-board’s dance, was the best part of the night. Though both performances played important roles in the success of this unforgettable event, they would like to thank the rest of the BAASA e-board for all of their help and support in getting APAHM off to a strong start.

If you missed the first APAHM event, not to worry: APAHM is a month-long celebration, so you can expect to see the second event, “Closing,” on March 31, when a panel will talk about destigmatizing mental health in the AAPI community. Their last event, “SKIN Fashion Show,” will be held April 2, where they will showcase Asian Americans in the fashion world. Make sure to check these out!

DIABOLO: Nova Diabolo, a Massachusetts-based Chinese Yoyo performance group, was invited to perform at the culture show.

Ugly cousin to The Oscars: necessary steps for The Razzies!

By JASON FRANK

JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The Razzies! nominations came out last Monday, February 8, leaving me with an impossible question: why should I care about The Razzies!?

The Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as The Razzies!, are an annual parody awards show, where, instead of awarding the best movies of the year, they award the worst movies of the year. Categories include Worst Picture, Worst Remake, Sequel, or Rip-Off, and Worst Screen Couple, as well as the occasional special award, like this year, where the category Worst Performance was awarded to Bruce Willis in one of his 2021 movies.

The awards were started in 1980, when John Wilson, a copy writer and publicist, saw a double-feature of “Can’t Stop the Music” and “Xanadu” and was so disgusted that he began holding an awards ceremony for the worst films of the year in his apartment. By the time that the fourth ceremony arrived, CNN was covering it. These days, The Razzies! have become an established phenomenon.

At the time, this was one of the only ways someone like Wilson could respond to the Hollywood system. He managed to get some press for his awards, and Hollywood took notice. Bill Cosby was the first star to actually ask for his award in 1988. Halle Berry showed up to collect her Razzie in 2004, Oscar in hand as an extra joke, as did Sandra Bullock in 2010, who collected her award for “All About Steve” the day before she won the Oscar for “The Blindside.”

Yet, despite their established nature, these days The Razzies! feel less like a fun way of getting back at the Hollywood system for their bad moviemaking, and more like an event in place solely to kick projects that were already down.

The most nominated movie this year was the filmed version of a musical about Princess Diana that aired on Netflix, aptly called “Diana the Musical.” “Diana the Musical” was bad—I have and am still willing to acknowledge that—but the film was there largely to promote the Broadway show, which is now regarded as a critical and financial failure. What is the fun in nominating a project for nine “worst” awards that has already failed in every way possible? It’s not fun or funny to say that something that was universally regarded as bad was bad. It’s stating the obvious.

Half of the issue stems from social media, which gives people the ability to make fun of projects like “Diana the Musical” right when they come out. By the time The Razzies! get to the film it’s already been thoroughly trounced. The Razzies! don’t add anything to the conversation and are made less funny because social media users have been making better and smarter jokes for months.

The other issue is that The Razzies! don’t have much to say anyway. There are always going to be awards and nominees that age poorly (Shelley Duvall’s nomination for Worst Actress for her work in “The Shining,” and “The Blair Witch Project” winning Worst Picture stand out in the history of The Razzies!), but if you’re going to parody, you should at least have something to say about what you’re parodying.

For example, in recent years, two separate far-right political films have won Worst Picture: “Absolute Proof” in 2020 and “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party” in 2016. These wins don’t say anything other than “there are bad movies made by misinformed farright extremists, and I’m smarter than them.” Which, sure. But if the sum total of your parody boils down to “I’m smart and this person is dumb,” then you probably don’t have much to say.

Additionally, putting these dangerous, extremist “documentaries” on the same level as something like a failed filmed production of “Diana the Musical” shows a lack of perspective on the process. These films are not similar to each other, and the reasons for failure span entirely different categories—that inconsistency ruins any chance of the joke landing. Furthermore, simply saying these films are bad has no interesting critique of Hollywood, Broadway, or politics. It feels like a personification of middle school boy humor, pointing and laughing because “thing bad and dumb.”

Parodying Hollywood and award show pomp and circumstance is not a dry well for humor or critique. Hollywood is still cranking out bad, rote movies that are nothing more than paint-by-numbers money makers with no real thought (four Marvel movies all following the exact same structure came out this year alone), and The Oscars, which The Razzies! are supposed to be the evil twin of, have been critiqued for their pretentiousness, racism, and out-of-touch nature. But if The Razzies! want to progress beyond “thing bad” level critique, they’re going to have to gain a point of view.

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS WORST DIRECTOR: The 29th Razzie Awards Worst Director was given to Uwe Boll.

TV REVIEW

“Ozark” and “Inventing Anna”: Julia Garner as a Con Artist

By MELLO WILSTED

JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

I had never seen Julia Garner in any show until I watched “Ozark,” and I was completely blown away by her performance. So, when I was told the same actress was playing the title character in “Inventing Anna,” a Netflix show about real-life con artist Anna Delvey, I knew I had to watch it. Before starring in “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna,” Garner played Susan in the movie “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” She is Jewish and describes herself as being “half-Israeli,” as she has relatives from Israel whom she visits often. And, fun fact, she is married to singer Mark Foster from the band Foster the People.

While the two roles she plays in “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna” are very different, they have more in common than you might initially think. In “Ozark,” Garner plays the character Ruth Langmore, a role which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 and 2020 for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, along with a Golden Globe nomination in 2020. Ruth comes from poverty, but uses her tremendous intelligence to first get involved in crime, but then to start her own businesses. Her personality is impressive and intimidating, and she is good at adapting to new situations and problems. As this character is fictional, Julia Garner had more creative freedom to shape the character she was playing.

In the new show “Inventing Anna,” Garner plays the adaptation of Anna Delvey, a smart fake heiress who dresses glamorously, but was imprisoned for stealing money and not paying off her debts. She presented herself as a different person to everyone she spoke to, and this was adapted very well into the show. This character, of course, is based on the real person Anna Sorokin, and the show was adapted from the article, “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People” by Jessica Pressler, published by The Cut.

While one show is pure fiction and the other is based on real facts, Julia Garner is able to fully embody both roles. It makes me curious if it was a deliberate casting choice due to the similarities in the characters she was portraying. Both characters are intelligent, adaptable, and money-driven criminals trying to make a name for themselves in a world they have very little experience with. In addition Garner’s characters are tremendously charismatic. At some points it is hard not to root for them as they make a better life for themselves, even as the means to such a life are deplorable.

Scams like the one at the center of “Inventing Anna” are clearly in the public consciousness. Indeed, in the era of the popular show “Tinder Swindler” on Netflix, it seems like people are more and more fascinated by these tales of high -profile crimes where the extremely wealthy are taken advantage of. It is fascinating to see the comparisons between these female scammers like Delvey and male scammers on shows like “Tinder Swindler,” and to also examine the differences between stories of scammers in the real world and the completely fictional scammers on TV. The question that remains is: why are we so captivated by these stories of glamorized scams?

STAFF’S Top Ten

JACK YUANWEI CHENG/the Justice

Top 10 Ways to Have a More Successful Semester at Brandeis

By Leah Breakstone

JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

In honor of it being (sort of) the start of the semester, here are a few foolproof ways to make these next few months better.

10. Avoid consuming sushi from AFC 9. Do not drink water unless it is filtered 8. Avoid Rabb steps in the winter 7. Avoid all steps and outdoor paths in the winter 6. Do not take any classes in Gerstenzang 5. Stay away from East 4. Do not give your email to every organization and subsequently be added to 100 listservs 3. Change your daily route to ensure you can say “hi” to Louis every morning 2. Do not spend all of your points before February break 1. Join the Justice

HOROSCOPES

MEGAN LIAO/the Justice

By MADDY DULONG

JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A bit of advice for everyone, no matter your sign: the moon is in Cancer, which can lead to amplified emotions and potentially the want to distance yourself from others — be aware of this and look for ways to connect with others emotionally this week. Use this Cancer energy to do something creative, and let yourself be more comfortable in your emotions.

As the cardinal fire sign of the zodiac and the first sign of the zodiac year, you are full of life and energy! However, don’t use this energy to rush into things you may regret later. Take the time this week to think before you act, and use your energy on things that will benefit you. There is an advantage to taking the slow path (sometimes!), so utilize your energy where it is most needed and don’t waste it on things that aren’t worth your time.

Since the full moon in Leo is coming up on Feb. 16, remember who you are! The Cancer energy right now might make you want to retreat into your shell, but the Leo energy coming out on the 16th will remind you of your worth! Don’t accept less than you deserve this week!

We are in Aquarius season! You may have felt slightly more spiritual or philosophical this past month, but with the sun moving into Pisces (and your 10th house of career) at the end of the week, you will likely shift your focus towards more career/ambitious goals for the next month! Make sure to take advantage of the energy of this week, though, as Geminis have a tendency to procrastinate and burn themselves out doing work; keep an eye out for those habits this week!

Since the moon is in Cancer until the 16th, take advantage of this energy as it will likely benefit you. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, whether good or bad, and let yourself enjoy this upcoming Valentine’s Day! On Feb. 14, mercury will enter Aquarius and into your eighth house, which could lead to intense emotions. Don’t let that stop you from having a good time! Be on the lookout for random emotional outbursts or moody behaviors this week. Try to combat them with a little extra self-care. Be extra kind to yourself this week! Leo

The only full moon in Leo in 2022 is happening this Wednesday, Feb. 16! Take this time to use the energy for yourself! Get yourself a box of chocolates — don’t wait around for someone else! Commit yourself to healthy self-care habits this week, and maybe take it easy on Valentine’s Day so you can really go all-out during the full moon on Wednesday! Scorpio

Mercury, planet of communication, enters Aquarius this week and as a result lands in your fourth house which rules domesticity. You might feel like more of a homebody during this transit, and you should embrace that! Especially during the last major month of winter, it’s always nice to stay inside and watch the snow from the warmth of your room. Take Valentine’s Day to spend time with the people who mean the most to you, even if you aren’t in a romantic relationship, spending quality time with friends is never a bad idea!

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

Libra

Mercury enters Aquarius in your fifth house this week, which is perfect for sparking a little extra love in your relationships this Valentine’s Day! This will last until March, but it is the perfect start to Valentine’s Day and setting the mood in your romantic relationships for the next month. The full moon in Leo on Wednesday, Feb. 16 will enhance your ability to see the roles that other people play in your life. Think about these roles and really try to take note of what roles play a good part in your life and who needs to be cut out of the script. Virgo

Mercury is entering Aquarius this week and right into your sixth house. Be on the lookout for anything that might send you over the edge. Don’t force yourself to do anything you don’t want to. Take the time to prepare ahead for the fun you’ll have this week: do face masks with friends or take a day to rest and recharge before the February break next week! The full moon in Leo on Wednesday in your 12th house might lead you to surrender some of the control you have over aspects of your life. Letting go might be a relief, but don’t let someone overshadow you during this time either. Sagittarius

This year’s only full moon in Leo could bring some long-distance friendships into light this week. This full moon will land in your ninth house of perspective and travel; this might mean that people from around the world might reach out to you, or this could also be the perfect time to share a project or message with the world. Keep in mind, however, that at this time Venus and Mars are meeting in Capricorn in your second house of value and money. You should use that energy to consider your worth and if you’re getting what you deserve out of jobs/opportunities.

Capricorn

The communication planet Mercury is falling into Aquarius in your second house of value and money this week. Consider who you are spending your time and energy with and if it is worth it in the long run for you. The moon in Cancer might have you wanting to stay in this year and watch movies instead of going out for dinner. The full moon in Leo falls into your eighth house of sexuality and resurrection on Wednesday, Feb. 16. That might mean an invitation for extended Valentine’s Day celebration, or simply clearing the air with someone you have had bad blood with.

Aquarius

Not only will this week have the sun in Aquarius, but Mercury is moving into Aquarius as well! This is good news for any Aquarian, as this represents a communication refresh. There were facets of your life where you have struggled to communicate. This week, you might find it easier to look on the bright side. Your “freespirit” tendencies will come into play as well; embrace them this Valentine’s Day. Make fun plans with someone this week, be spontaneous, take a day for yourself, or make plans for the upcoming February vacation next week!

Pisces

This week is very eventful for a Pisces, especially in the career aspect of your life! The full moon in Leo on Feb. 16 could bring a burst into your self-confidence regarding your career or aspirations. That, coupled with the Mars and Venus transit in Capricorn will have you feeling motivated and ready to tackle anything life throws at you. Wednesday is the day to let your voice be heard and make significant strides in your work life. Pisces season begins at the end of the week on Friday, Feb. 18, so make sure to celebrate the beginning of February vacation and the beginning of Pisces season by spending quality time with friends!