United By Rice

Better late than never? No guests this week but instead, Ben takes us behind the scenes of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), sharing his experiences covering one of the world's biggest film festivals and breaking down some of the Asian and Asian American films that caught his attention. From "Whatcha Want" and "Bedford Park" to the BLACKPINK documentary "Always Lalisa," Ben discusses his favorite screenings, surprising discoveries, and the films worth keeping on your radar. He also explores the animated shorts "The Violinist" and "In Waves," along with other notable TIFF projects featuring Asian American talent, including "The Surgeon," "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," and "Josephine." Beyond the films, Ben shares what it's really like covering TIFF, from navigating packed screening schedules and chaotic red carpets to securing interviews and discovering emerging filmmakers. It's a look at the festival through an Asian American lens, celebrating the stories, performances, and creative voices making their mark on cinema.

Brittany Ishibashi joins United by Rice to talk about her role as Joy in the new Apple TV series “Brothers,” starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. Ishibashi takes us inside the unusual premise of the series, inspired by the real-life rumor that Harrelson and McConaughey might actually be brothers, and shares what it was like stepping onto a set built around their decades-long friendship. She talks about the improvisation that comes with working alongside the two actors, what surprised her about them away from their larger-than-life public personas, and why she describes Harrelson as “the most present person you will ever meet.” The conversation also gets personal as Ishibashi reflects on her own path through Hollywood, from the roles available to Asian American actors when she began her career to the opportunities she sees today. She discusses auditioning for Joy, the significance of being part of a major series without her ethnicity defining the character, and why the changes she has witnessed in representation have felt “life affirming.” It’s a candid conversation about craft, identity, longevity, and finding your place in an industry that has changed considerably during Ishibashi’s career.

Actor, stunt performer, martial artist and filmmaker Alfred Hsing joins Ben Lei and Junko Goda on “United By Rice” to talk about a career that has taken him from martial arts competitions to some of Hollywood’s most ambitious productions. Alfred takes us behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” sharing what he observed about Nolan’s filmmaking process, the extraordinary scale of the production, working with IMAX cameras and the commitment to realism on set. He also discusses his work in animation, including “The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender” and “Avatar: Seven Havens,” and explains why designing action for animation can be an even more layered process than live action. Along the way, Alfred reflects on his unconventional path through Hollywood, the importance of patience and persistence, his experiences at San Diego Comic Con, and why authenticity and intentional casting matter as Asian representation continues to evolve.

This episode of United by Rice dives into a warm, wide-ranging conversation with actor Leonardo Nam, covering his breakout roles in Westworld and Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift, and his surprising first time singing on screen in Disney’s Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, and his journey into producing stories with deeper multicultural representation. The episode also reflects on balancing career, family, and creative growth in an ever-changing industry.

Emmy-nominated actor Charles Melton joins United By Rice to talk about stepping into Season 2 of Netflix’s "Beef" and why creator Sonny Lee knew he wanted Melton for Austin after seeing his performance in "May December." Melton, currently nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for "Beef," opens up about building Austin from his own experiences with self-doubt, the influence of Korean cinema on his performance and why some of the show’s funniest moments only work when the actors refuse to play the joke. He also reflects on working alongside Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny and legendary Korean actor Song Kang-ho, including an emotional moment watching Song quietly prepare on set that left Melton in tears. The conversation becomes especially personal as Melton discusses his Korean American identity and what it meant to film the finale in Korea, where members of his Korean family were able to visit his set and watch him work. As Melton explains, returning to his roots affected him "spiritually, on like a DNA level" and ultimately helped inform his performance as Austin. Plus, Melton talks about what draws him to a role, authenticity and vulnerability as an actor, what may be ahead in his career, and the Korean comfort foods that immediately remind him of home.