Colma: The Musical

March 22, 2006

I watched a sneak peek of it a while ago, and I just remember thinking, dang, I wish I could see this on the big screen.

Now, I am a showtunes/musical geek (among my other geeky habits). But I was seriously singing along. First Asian American musical since Flower Drum Song. How can you beat that?

I also loved the fact that the story is about Colma - but I don't think you need to have ever been to Colma to like it.

I have been to Colma several times in my life - thrice to have dim sum at Koi Palace, once to drive a driver at the driving range, and once to visit a friend who rented a pad there (though he's since moved away). Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

For those of you who saw it, what did you think? And what is it about the musical genre that is so damn entertaining? For those of you don't like musicals but saw Colma: The Musical anyway, what did you think?

And does anyone know if the people who made Colma are actually from there?!

Categories:

Reviews

Contributor:

Momo Chang

Senior Contributing Editor

Momo Chang is the Content Manager at the Center for Asian American Media, and freelances for magazines, online publications, and weeklies. Her writings focus on Asian American communities, communities of color, and youth culture. She is a former staff writer at the Oakland Tribune. Her stories range from uncovering working conditions in nail salons, to stories about “invisible minorities” like Tongan youth and Iu Mien farmers. She has freelances The New York Times, WIRED, and East Bay Express, among other publications.

Comments

H.P. Mendoza wrote on Wed, 03/22/2006 - 4:17am

Hey! We covered that in the Q&A! Gigi Guizado lived in Colma twice, while a few other members of the cast frequent Daly City for Serramonte and Krispy Kreme. I actually lived in Daly City and moved to Colma between 1989 and 1994, which is when a lot of the events that transpired in the movie actually took place. So did you make it to the screening? It's a new cut from the screener you saw - hope you were there!H.P.

Amy wrote on Wed, 03/22/2006 - 9:20am

Oh my gawd, this musical blew my brains out. I think this is one of the best, if not the best, movie of the festival.

Chrisian Cagigal wrote on Fri, 03/24/2006 - 2:43pm

Hi!I saw it!I loved it!And yeah you're right those tunes are catchy. I'm singing them even when I don't realize I'm singing them (damn you HP DAMN YOU!!!!)HP covered all your questions but I thought I would add something. Flower Drum was Asian and did take place in America but it was written by 2 white guys (no offense to our caucasian brothers.)Colma was written by an Asian American, directed by an Asian American, starred Asian Americans and took place in an Asian populated part of America. I almost want to say that Colma The Musical is the very 1st real Asian American Musical and Musical Movie ever.If you haven't seen it on the big screen I really hope we will all see it on the big screen again one day soon.Thanks,Christian

Peter Wong wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 10:53am

I loved "Colma"'s music. I loved "Colma"'s cast. I loved the local flavor of "Colma." I didn't love the dance choreography that much (oh well). But this film will get talked up with my friends whenever a local screening comes up in the future.

yo wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 1:27pm

Does anyone know if it is going to be re-shown. when? where? I know a lot of friends that would be really interested in checking it out.

eeee wrote on Thu, 12/14/2006 - 2:51pm

There seems to be some dates here for LA and Seattle in January:http://www.colmafilm.com/press.htmlWhen is this coming out for a regular release?

Mia Mendoza wrote on Sat, 07/22/2006 - 11:10pm

Omg! This movie rocks!!! Oh yeah totallly!! 1st best musical... I ♥ed it!