Underneath Bonelli Hall lies the Intercultural Center—a safe space for historically marginalized and minoritized groups on campus.
The center regularly hosts events that spark conversation and reflection, including a recent matinee screening of the 2022 documentary Liquor Store Dreams, directed by So Yun Um.
The film follows two second-generation Korean American ‘liquor store babies,’ whose parents ran liquor stores in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods across Los Angeles. It explores their inherited legacy, shaped by cultural tensions and tough decisions.
“The film is done beautifully; it has a lot of different themes,” said Preetra Saxena, Dean of Institutional Research at College of the Canyons.
“There is so much to ponder, and so we wanted to highlight that, especially in the intercultural center, because it is a space for intercultural dialogue,” said Saxena.
“We hope by doing these events, we’re supplementing a lot of the course content.”
After the screening, director So Yun Um visited the Intercultural Center to share her personal journey as an aspiring filmmaker and the daughter of immigrant shopkeepers.
She also offered insight into her path in filmmaking and encouraged students to tell their own stories rooted deep within their culture and community.
“For many, it wasn’t just a film; it was a mirror. A reminder of what’s possible when diverse cultures come together, not in conflict, but in community,” says Um.
