Thien LE Studio

Pearls of the far East

2011-11-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST
By Director Cuong Ngo
Encore screening
Canada/Vietnam | 103 MIN | HD SR | COLOUR

Following the overwhelmingly successful and sold-out World Premiere at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, the producers of Pearls of the Far East have organized a special, public encore screening.

Encore screening information:
Sunday Nov 20, Royal Cinema (608 College), 2:30 pm
Tickets: $12.00

SYNOPSIS:

The inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women form the beautiful string that runs through director Cuong Ngo's feature film debut, Pearls of the Far East.

Adapted from award-winning stories by Minh Ngoc Nguyen, produced by award-winning filmmakers Igor Szczurko & Tom Yarith Ker, Ngo weaves a vivid, timeless and unforgettable tapestry with characters brought to life by a gorgeous cast of acclaimed talent from Vietnam, US and Canada, including actresses Truong Ngoc Anh (The White Silk Dress, 2006), Nhu Quynh (Vertical Ray of the Sun, 2000), Hong Anh (Moon at the Bottom of the Well, 2009), Ngo Thanh Van (The Clash, 2010, The Rebel, 2007), Minh Ngoc Nguyen (who also wrote the screenplay based on her own stories), and the legendary Kieu Chinh (Joy Luck Club, 1993). The breathtaking images and spectacular landscapes from the north to the south of Vietnam, beautifully lensed by Mikhail Petrenko, show sides of the country distinct from most Western depictions and frame the mysteries and deep secrets of these lives. With a haunting and sensual musical score by composers Alexina Louie and Alex Pauk that enhances the film's quiet beauty,Pearls of the Far East invites audiences to enjoy a meditative journey that illuminates the universal thirst to love and be loved.

Tickets are available to purchase in advance online at TicketWeb (http://www.ticketweb.ca/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4096755) or in person at the theatre box office 30 minutes before the screening’s start time. The producers and crew will be on hand for a Q&A after the film.

SYNOPSIS:

Pearls of the Far East

2011-10-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Pearls of the Far East

2011-10-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

PEARLS OF THE FAR EAST

By Cuong Ngo

World premiere at the 2011 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

Canada/Vietnam | 103 MIN | HDCAM | COLOUR

Screening:

Nov 13, Royal Cinema (608 College), 5 pm

Director Cuong Ngo and cast are available for interviews at the following times:

- Legendary Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh, Nov 12 to 14, 2011

- Writer/actress Ngoc M. Nguyen, Nov 12 to 14, 2011

- Actor Thai-Hoa Le, Nov 7 to 21, 2011, Thai Hoa will attend the whole festival both in

Toronto and Richmond Hill.

- Director Cuong Ngo, in Toronto Oct 31, Nov 1 and Nov 6 to 14, 2011.

The inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women form the beautiful

string that runs through director Cuong Ngo's feature film debut, Pearls of the Far

East.

Adapted from award-winning stories by Minh Ngoc Nguyen, produced by award-winning

filmmakers Igor Szczurko & Tom Yarith Ker, Cuong Ngo (pronounced 'Kun Nyo')

weaves a vivid, timeless and unforgettable tapestry with characters brought to life by a

gorgeous cast of acclaimed talent from Vietnam, US and Canada, including actresses

Truong Ngoc Anh (The White Silk Dress, 2006), Nhu Quynh (Vertical Ray of the Sun,

2000), Hong Anh (Moon at the Bottom of the Well, 2009), Ngo Thanh Van (The Clash,

2010, The Rebel, 2007), Minh Ngoc Nguyen (who also wrote the screenplay based on

her own stories), and the legendary Kieu Chinh (Joy Luck Club, 1993).

The breathtaking images and spectacular landscapes from the north to the south of

Vietnam, beautifully lensed by Mikhail Petrenko, show sides of the country distinct from

most Western depictions and frame the mysteries and deep secrets of these lives. With

a haunting and sensual musical score by composers Alexina Louie and Alex Pauk that

enhances the film's quiet beauty, Pearls of the Far East invites audiences to enjoy a

meditative journey that illuminates the universal thirst to love and be loved.

World sales are handled by Jean Mercier, Mercier Films Inc. T: (514) 287-9002 E:

jmerc56488@gmail.com

For press materials, please email orientalpearlsmovie@gmail.com

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Matt Guerin

Associate Producer

orientalpearlsmovie@gmail.com or cell: 416-846-2171

Pearls of the Far East

2011-10-29T08:43:00.001-07:00

Pearls of the Far East

2011-10-29T08:42:00.001-07:00

Agarwood

2011-10-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

The Agarwood Tea

Agarwood tea is healthy tea made from leaves of the agarwood tree. Recent studies show that these leaves are rich with genkwanin glycosides- natural chemicals widely known as having cosmetic benefits. It is said that genkwanin glycosides are capable of removing mercury efficiently. Agarwood tea that contains genkwanin glycosides has many dietary benefits and is believed to help slowing down the aging process. Our agarwood tea is made from 100% pure, fresh agarwood leaves. It contains no additives, preservatives or artificial color. It is indeed a compelling product of nature.

Agarwood Tea Produced in Vietnam

Recently, agarwood tea has gained acclaim for its positive effects on health. Therefore projects for planting agarwood trees to provide tea to the Japanese market have become active in some countries like Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. However, not all agarwood tea is the same in quality or taste. Agarwood tea originated in Vietnam, the country of the most prized variety of agarwoods. It is very popular due to its sweet taste. Our agarwood tea is especially high quality- it is produced in sanitary conditions from abundant resources of top notch agarwood leaves. Our agarwood trees are cultivated and grown in natural conditions without any uses of fertilizers or other chemical components. This agarwood tea is produced from pure, fresh, hand picked agarwood leaves. No additives at all are used. It is indeed a compelling product of nature...

Agarwood(Gaharu) is a very precious medicine, has a very special flavour, can stimulate the brain cell activation in the cerebral cortex, the visceral can run of benign. Agarwood leaf contains a lot of anti-aging, anti-cancer drug ingredients, and it helps improve one’s look
Benefit of drinking Agarwood(Gaharu) Tea:
Strengthen the heart

Reduce Blood Sugar

Reduce Blood Pressure

Improve Sleep

Beauty

Eliminate Constipation

Degreasing

Good Aphrodisiac

Eliminate Flatulence

Eliminate state of being drunk

Eliminate Asthma

Vietnam, Country of the Most Valuable Agarwood: Kyara

The Agarwood Tree, also called the Aquilaria or Gyrinops tree, is a species that belongs to Thymelaceace genus. Agarwood is an aromatic resinous wood that forms within those trees. Aquilaria or Gyrinops tree once grew in the rainforests of Asia but are now considered endangered in most countries and are rarely found in natural forests. Under some circumstances (infected with parasites or fungus), the agarwood trees produce resins as a defense mechanism. Under certain conditions, after the passage of time these resins accumulate on the wood to form resinous wood that emits a special aromatic perfume. Because of the resinous accumulation, the specific weight of agarwood is larger than water and as a result will sink. This is the reason why agarwood is also called “chinsui" (sink in water) or “chinsuikou" (incense that sinks in water). The resins produced by agarwood have special aroma and is therefore very valuable. In fact there are several prized varieties of agarwood that emit a very special aroma. These agarwoods exist solely in Vietnam and are known as “kyara”. In ancient times, people held kyara as a treasure more valuable than gold. Besides its special and elegant perfume, kyara is also used as valuable medicine. Agarwood can also be found in other countries of Southeast Asia besides Vietnam. Agarwood varies in different areas in shape, color and aroma. Vietnamese agarwood is considerably different to the others species in color and scent. Worldwide, Vietnamese agarwood is the most popular due to its sweet scent.

Agarwood Oil, Oud

Agarwood oil, also known as Oud oil, Aloeswood oil, Eagleswood Ud, Kiara, etc., is an extremely rare and precious natural oil obtained from several species of Agarwood (Aquilaria sp.) trees. Agarwood originates in North Eastern India, Bhutan and parts of South East Asia, especially Vietnam and Cambodia and also the Philippines and Indonesia including Papau New Guinea. Agarwood has a very long history of use as a medicine, incense and as an aromatic oil. In the Bible it is known as aloes or aloeswood. There are several species of Agarwood, the most important species are: Aquilaria agollocha, A. malaccensis and A. crassna. Aquilaria malaccensis is endangered and protected worldwide under the CITES convention and A. crassna is listed as endangered by the Vietnamese government.

The Oud that we carry is from Aquillaria agollocha, and it is plantation–grown in Assam, India, which was originally one of the richest areas of naturally occurring agarwood trees. While there are still wild agarwood trees to be found in inaccessible forest regions, they are extremely rare and very difficult to obtain. By purchasing agarwood oil from cultivated trees, we are not doing damage to the last remaining wild agarwood trees, nor to the forests in which the precious agarwood trees grow.
Agarwood trees must be infected by a fungi, prior to producing an oleoresin which saturates the wood. This oleoresin saturated wood is where the mystical fragrance of Oud originates. There are many grades of agarwood, and the highest quality wood is extremely expensive. In fact, the first-grade wood is one of the most expensive natural products in the world, with prices of up to $13,000 per pound (thirteen thousand US dollars per 16 ounces!) for top quality wood. The essential oil from wild agarwood trees is likewise one of the most expensive oils in the world. The wholesale price for a relatively decent quality oil is around $1000 to $1400 per ounce. The finest Oud oil would, of course, be much more expensive.
Please realize that this oil is from cultivated trees, and is not considered a high quality agarwood oil. It is however, a very nice oil at a very affordable price. It is pure and unadulterated, which is more than can be said for much of the agarwood oil or oud that is for sale on the open market.
The Oud CO2 extract that we carry is a very viscous, dark brown oil. It is non-sticky and can be applied directly to the skin (in minute amounts) or can be thinned in jojoba oil or other carrier oil. Eden Botanicals' Agarwood oil may also be mixed into your own essential oil blends. For mixing purposes you will need to gently warm the Oud in a water bath and add it drop by drop to your mixture. Then heat the blend and swish well. With this method our Oud CO2 extract will mix into your essential oil formulas or into carrier oils.
Agarwood is a very complex, deep woody fragrance, reminiscent of amber. Susanne Fischer–Rice, in her book, ‘The Complete Incense Book’, explains: “Agarwood has a balsamic, ambergris, woody, deep fragrance. To experience the many nuances of this unique substance is like a journey on the road to spiritual perfection”. It is highly prized as an incense in Japan and as an oil in the Middle East. Because Agarwood is so rare, and so highly valued in Japan and the Middle East (where most of it ends up), it is little known in the West. But agarwood is truly amazing, and should be experienced by any connoisseur of essential oils. You only need to use a tiny amount of agarwood at a time; be prepared for the slow release of its aroma over the next 8 hours.

Aquilaria species that produce agarwood
The following species of Aquilaria produce agarwood:^[17]

Aquilaria khasiana, found in India

Aquilaria apiculina, found in Philippines

Aquilaria baillonil, found in Thailand and Cambodia

Aquilaria baneonsis, found in Vietnam

Aquilaria beccarain, found in Indonesia

Aquilaria brachyantha, found in Malaysia

Aquilaria crassna found in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam

Aquilaria cumingiana, found in Indonesia and Malaysia

Aquilaria filaria, found in China

Aquilaria grandiflora, found in China

Aquilaria hilata, found in Indonesia and Malaysia

Aquilaria malaccensis, found in Malaysia, Thailand, and India

Aquilaria microcapa, found in Indonesia and Malaysia

Aquilaria rostrata, found in Malaysia

Aquilaria sinensis, found in China

Aquilaria subintegra, found in Thailand

Buy too early, pay too much for airfare

2011-08-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

Buy too early, pay too much for airfare

Korea's Got Talent Sung-Bong Choi

2011-06-08T02:44:00.000-07:00

Mercedes-Benz Canada and IMG Announce Mercedes-Benz Start Up

2011-06-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Mercedes-Benz Canada and IMG announce the launch of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program

A National Program to Nurture Canada’s Next Generation of Fashion Designers

TORONTO, ON – Mercedes-Benz Canada, and IMG, a global sports, fashion and media company, announced today the launch of Mercedes-Benz Start Up. Produced in conjunction with LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oréal Paris, Mercedes-Benz Start Up is a new initiative that is intended to provide a national platform to discover and support up-and-coming Canadian designers who have been in business for less than five years. By connecting these gifted individuals with an experienced panel of industry insiders, the program will mentor impressive Canadian talent to help them hone a broad range of skills and elevate their profile through unique and exclusive opportunities. This unprecedented access to experts, combined with invaluable real-world practical experience, will equip participants with a comprehensive roadmap to success and the knowledge and confidence required for a thriving career in fashion.

Following today’s announcement, the Mercedes-Benz Start Up team will begin meeting with influential fashion media, buyers and educators in key Canadian markets to identify talented and ambitious designers that would qualify as suitable candidates.

All the submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of industry judges who will follow a list of specific criteria to ensure objectivity and fairness. From this pool of submissions, a total of 20 designers will be selected to advance to the next round: the semi-final competition.

In the first year, the semi-finals will be conducted in two provinces, but it will expand to include four provinces by the second year and beyond. This will ensure that Mercedes-Benz Start Up is truly a national program that is easily accessible to designers across the country.

The semi-finals will yield a total of four designers who will be invited to show their collections at the national final held during the official schedule of LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oréal Paris in October 2011. This will provide successful participants an invaluable opportunity to prominently showcase their designs on the runway to thousands of prominent industry representatives.

Following the national final, only one of the four semi-finalists will progress to the next stage of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program. He or she will be rewarded with access to key industry mentors for a period of five months to help the chosen candidate prepare his or her debut solo show that will be presented as a highlight on the schedule at LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oréal Paris in March 2012.

“Mercedes-Benz has maintained an unquestionable link between the brand and leading edge design since the company invented the automobile over 125 years ago. In fact, many trendsetting and timeless Mercedes-Benz vehicles have inspired and created entirely new segments in the automotive industry,” said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “I am very impressed by the raw potential that exists here in Canada. Considering the ongoing emphasis we place on expressive design, it is only natural for our company to also help foster opportunities in an industry with similar core principles. By supporting emerging designers to broaden their overall scope through Mercedes-Benz Start Up, I am confident that we will be able to further strengthen the Canadian fashion industry and heighten its overall prominence and reputation on the world stage.”

Peter Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Fashion said “Mercedes-Benz Start Up will allow Canadian designers the opportunity to move up in the industry and provide them a guide to achievement.” Levy went on to say at the announcement event “The goal is to facilitate a platform for these designers to showcase their talent in a professional setting with access to key mentors from various segments of the industry.”

“LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oreal Paris has grown into a national platform for designers from across the nation to showcase their talent in the international arena,” said Robin Kay, President of the Fashion Design Council of Canada “We are thrilled to go forward with Mercedes-Benz Canada and IMG to create relationships with young designers countrywide. LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oreal Paris will provide a world class runway with unparalleled exposure for these designers.”

For more information/to register: please visit: http://www.Mercedes-BenzStartUp.com

Fashion Design Council of Canada:

Carolyn Quinn
Associate Producercarolyn@fdcc.ca

IMG:

Andrew Serrano

PR Manager, IMG Fashion

Andrew.Serrano@imgworld.com

212-774-4437

Mercedes-Benz Canada:

JoAnne Caza

Director, Communications-Public Relations

JoAnne.Caza@mercedes-benz.ca
416-847-7550

Michael Minielly
Supervisor, Public RelationsMichael.Minielly@mercedes-benz.ca
416-847-7509

Le. T golf launch at Golf Town

2011-05-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.golftown.com/Events.aspx?lang=en

Nessun Dorma - Giorgia Fumanti and Luciano Pavarotti duet

2011-05-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

"Pictures On A Crooked Wall"

2011-04-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

10 things to learn from Japan's Earthquake / Tsunami / Nuclear Accident …

2011-04-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

10 things to learn from Japan's Earthquake / Tsunami / Nuclear Accident …

1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself was elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not one rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn't fall.

4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And, they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly!

Cinehouse: MINH NGOC NGUYEN AND CUONG NGO's ORIENTAL PEARLS T...

2011-03-21T03:02:00.000-07:00

Cinehouse: MINH NGOC NGUYEN AND CUONG NGO's ORIENTAL PEARLS T...

Oriental Pearls Official Movie Trailer

2011-03-21T02:50:00.000-07:00

http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/02/minh-ngoc-nguyen-and-cuong-ngo-discover-oriental-pearls.php

Pray For Japan

2011-03-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Thien LE Tự hào là người gốc Việt

2011-02-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

Thien LE Tự hào là người gốc Việt

Picture 5453300 - Sheila McCarthy wears a dress by Thien Le The Heart Truth's Red...

2011-02-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

Picture 5453300 - Sheila McCarthy wears a dress by Thien Le The Heart Truth's Red...

He doesn't golf but, as a designer, he's all aces | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun

2011-02-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

He doesn't golf but, as a designer, he's all aces | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun

Fashionistas show flare for fundraising

2011-02-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

Fashionistas show flare for fundraising

Passion for fashion beneficial

2011-02-10T06:09:00.000-08:00

Passion for fashion beneficial

Sample sale and clearance

2010-12-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

VIETSUN UPCOMING ISSUE

2010-11-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

The new generation of Actors: WE ARE

The talented Vietnamese playwright and actress featured in the recently release film 'Oriental Pearls', Minh Ngoc Nguyen is bringing a new play to Broadway in New York City. Held in March 2011 at the West End Theatre, it is being produced by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, one of the founding theatres for Asian Americans in the United States. This is the second installation of Vietnamese plays brought to New York by Pan Asian, the first project of its kind to bridge cultural gaps and introduce Vietnamese theatre to Broadway.

Chantal Thuy and Thai-Hoa Le , two fabulous veteran actors from Canada, have been chosen to play lead roles in the play. Chantal Thuy who is a native Montrealer working in New York, joined in on the creative process early on, participating in the workshop reading in October 2010. She described the play as a poetic vision of the lives of five Vietnamese women throughout the ages, from myth characters to contemporary figures, and their struggles and confrontation with a new modern society that remains strongly patriarchal. The work is made accessible to all with its evocative storytelling, humor and myth-like grandeur. What's more, audiences get a taste of both worlds, as Chantal Thuy and Thai-Hoa have been hand-picked to perform leading characters in both English and Vietnamese. A theatre troupe from Vietnam, skilled in traditional Vietnamese opera and musical instruments, will join the cast a few weeks prior to show to prepare for what sounds like an unbelievably unique theatre performance.

Performances for WE ARE run between March 18-26, a rare treat of Vietnamese culture in our Western world. You will also see Chantal Thuy as the new face of a cosmetic line and fragrance, a Canadian - based company that caters to Asian women Chantal is the new rising Vietnamese Canadian star! Catch her while you can.

Cashmere

2010-09-28T03:55:00.000-07:00

Oriental Pearls Official Movie Trailer

2010-08-16T19:04:00.000-07:00