APRIL 6, 2023
PASADENA – The new JJ Lin and Anderson .Paak single “In the Joy” is the theme song for the upcoming East West Bank documentary film “The Bridge,” and will be available on all streaming platforms beginning April 7. Celebrating the joy in life, unity, and understanding, “In the Joy” aims to spark joy ahead of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May.
“The Bridge” documentary, directed by filmmaker Evan Jackson Leong, examines the past 50 years of growth in the Asian Pacific American Community and East West Bank’s role in supporting generations of APA businesses and innovators. It explores the Asian American experience in the U.S. as told through the lens of East West Bank, which was founded in 1973 to serve the Asian American community. As the bank grew into one of the largest mainstream commercial banks in the U.S., it has focused on bridging multiple communities to foster cross-border and cross-cultural understanding and build relationships. The film highlights the collective accomplishments of the APA community, with stories shared by East West Bank’s Chairman and CEO Dominic Ng and interviews with Oscar Award Winning Actress Michelle Yeoh, Panda Restaurant Group CEO and Co-CEO Andrew and Peggy Cherng, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Janet Yang, and many others.
“The Asian Pacific American community has been able to make tremendous strides in business, education, entertainment, the arts, and more in large part due to East West Bank’s support and financial commitment to this community,” said Leong, known for his films such as “Linsanity” and “Snakehead.” “While we’ve come so far, there is still more work to be done and some of those same challenges to overcome today.”
Both the film and the song’s deliberate focus on unity and understanding aims to celebrate the contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have made in society, while also addressing the reality that some of the same challenges, such as prejudice and discrimination, still exist today.
“Now more than ever, Asian Pacific Americans are empowered to make a positive impact as valued members of our society, leading to greater representation and contributions across industries,” noted Ng. “As East West Bank serves as a financial and cultural bridge between the East and West, we felt that telling this story through film and song would be fitting. It also provides a meaningful way to connect with the creative community. In celebration of our heritage and how far we’ve come in the U.S., I hope younger generations will experience the joy, promise, and hope we see for a brighter future.”