Page 2 September 16, 2021
Entertainment
Film Review
The Year of the Everlasting Storm
Review: Cinema of the Pandemic
By Morgan Rojas for Cinemacy
The Year of the Everlasting Storm is a
collection of films from seven of contemporary
cinema’s most celebrated directors,
whose distinct aesthetics each create various
expressions that showcase how they dealt with
living through a global pandemic. Equally
heartfelt and unique, Jafar Panahi, Anthony
Chen, Malik Vitthal, Laura Poitras, Dominga
Sotomayor, David Lowery, and Apichatpong
The Year of the Everlasting Storm, courtesy of NEON
Weerasethakul each craft stories so deep and
expressive in just 20 minutes, it feels as if
we’re getting a peek into the inner workings
of their minds throughout the most chaotic
of times.
The Year of the Everlasting Storm takes its
name from a short poem that is presented
onscreen, kicking off the anthology series
in a seemingly chaptered and formulaic
way (and no, it’s not a callback to David
Lowery’s The Green Knight, where prior
knowledge of the aforementioned poem is
encouraged beforehand). However, of the
seven films presented, no two are alike–much
like the directors themselves. From Jafar
Panahi’s mumblecore family dramedy in
Iran, to Laura Poitras’s investigative political
documentary in New York, The Year of the
Everlasting Storm is a cinephile’s smorgasbord
that tells very different global stories
from very different perspectives. The only
underlying commonality is the pandemic
production-affected restraints in which the
films were made.
We all react to stress and despair in different
ways. Some turn to family, others turn
inward, but a majority of us all desperately
want one thing: to connect. This theme of
reconnection is prevalent throughout all of
the films, be it in a literal sense or more
abstract. David Lowery’s film focuses on a
woman’s quest to revisit her past. Malik Vitthal’s
mixed media piece is centered around
reclaiming his family. Anthony Chen tells a
story about a struggling young couple on the
verge of a marital breakdown. And Dominga
Sotomayor shares a portrait of a middle-aged
woman longing to play a motherly role in
her daughter’s life.
Perhaps the simplest entry (and my personal
favorite) is the observational closing film from
Thai master Apichatpong Weerasethakul. His
films always stay true to the present moment and
this is no different. Intricate attention to
sound and his visual patience are what tie
everything together. Weerasethakul is able
to recenter us, bringing our thoughts back
to the here and now.
The Year of the Everlasting Storm, which
made its premiere at this year’s Cannes Film
Festival, should be enjoyed as a time capsule of
modern-day life through filmmaking. Playing
more like a museum gallery exhibition rather
than a traditional film with plot structure or
character development, this anthology series
is a remarkable piece of art that transcends
boundaries and creative restraints.
Distributed by NEON. Now playing at the
Laemmle Royal. •
Morgan Rojas
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Chin Chin: A Modern Flair
with Classic Asian Flavors
By Chase Yi
Photos by Daniel Christopher Caso
Ever since the early 80s, when Chin Chin
made its debut on LA’s Sunset strip, Chinese
food in California has never been the same.
With pioneering meals like dim sum and
Chinese chicken salad made by traditional
Cantonese techniques, Chin Chin has grown
into a famous franchise with multiple locations
around Southern California. The good news,
too, is that El Segundoians don’t have to travel
too far to try it for themselves.
Located at 2041 Rosecrans Ave, Chin Chin
Sergio Garcia (left) and Jaimee Gonzalez (right) working together at Chin Chin in El Segundo.
in El Segundo marks the sixth restaurant for
the franchise, first opening its doors in 2019.
General Manager, Jamiee Gonzalez, shares
that launching a new restaurant right before
the pandemic has been no easy task.
“When we first opened in November of 2019,
things were blooming,” says Gonzalez. “But then
the pandemic hit, and we had to close down.
Then we figured out that we could do take-out
orders, which helped keep things going, but
we still were at half staff. It was a challenge.”
In 2021, Gonzales is more excited than ever
to let the community know that Chin Chin is
back with a new team eager to bring classic
Asian flavors to the South Bay. One of those
new team members is Manager Sergio Garcia,
who worked as a server at their Beverly Hills
Location for six years. “Sergio has a passion
for food service, and he loves Chin Chin,”
says Gonzalez. “He was a good server, and
I approached him with an offer to come into
management with me—he’s been a big reason
why we’ve been able to stay successful.”
Gonzalez is right.
As soon as my photographer and I entered
the restaurant, we were greeted with Garcia’s
beaming smile, as well as a beautiful, modern
atmosphere. Large artsy bulbs dangle from the
ceiling, and mid-century modern decor enlivens
the dining floor with a Taste of LA culture
and cleanliness. It’s an inspiring restaurant
for any occasion.
Being a former waiter, Garcia took it upon
himself to serve us, and under his guidance of
the menu, the rest of the evening turned into
a feast. The first meal that came out was the
Chinese Chicken Salad in a red ginger dressing.
“It’s the dish that made Chin Chin famous,”
Garcia explains. It’s a generous helping of
iceberg lettuce with juicy strips of chicken,
wonton crisps, green onion, shaved carrots,
and crispy rice noodles. It’s sweet and tangy,
but not overwhelming.
On the cocktail side of their menu, Garcia
brought us the Yakuza Sour and the Chin Chin
Old Fashioned. The former offers a satisfying
The Pad Thai is served with pork and shrimp, topped with crushed peanuts and green onion.
See Chin Chin, page 6
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Room Wanted
I have lived in a house in El Segundo
for 16 years that is being sold. I
am at Sea or out of town 25% or
more of the time. Require off-street
parking when out of town. If you
have a room not being used, call
Skip 310.322.1604
House For Rent
3br/2ba 1500sqft. West side with
ocean view and deck, large backyard,
2 car garage, one year lease, no pets.
$5600. (310)488-0098
For Sale
2 DOOBIE BROS CONCERT TIKS @
LA FORUM, OCT 9th, 2021. SEATS:
SECTION H, ROW 8, SEATS 9 &
10, FOR $408.00 - FACE VALUE;
CASH ONLY.COVID-19 POLICY:
GUESTS MUST WEAR MASKS,
BE VAXED AND SHOW PROOF.
CAROL (310) 351-3185
Wanted
WANTED. Vinyl, records, vinyl,
anything musical. Collectibles/
antiques. Typewriters, sewing
machines, military, silver, Japan,
records, stamps, coins, jewelry,
Chinese, ANYTHING. Buy/Sell/
Trade. We sell for you on EBAY. Studio
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