Intro for June 12, 2025

Dear Gossips,   

I just bought my tickets for Materialists, seeing it on Saturday and there are layers to my excitement. First of all, I will always sign up for a summer rom-com and if you’ve been following this site for the last few months, you’re probably aware that this is the one I’ve been waiting for. 

But also, we’re seeing it at my favourite adults-only theatre in recliners where the food comes directly to the seats. I already know my order: popcorn with layered butter and a dill pickle seasoning, pulled pork sandwich, fries, Hershey’s cookies and cream, and a glass of prosecco. 

And the third reason I’m so f-cking jacked about this: Celine Song …and Domee Shi. Celine Song is the director of Materialists. More specifically Celine Song is the female Asian Canadian director of Materialists, a film with a wide release this weekend. Domee Shi is the co-director of Elio. More specifically Domee Shi is the female Asian Canadian, Oscar-winning director of Elio, the Disney/Pixar film with an even bigger release next weekend. 

TWO Asian Canadian women whose work is opening on back to back weekends… this is a big deal, especially in the Asian Canadian and AAPI communities, LET’s GOOOOOO! 

I’m pretty sure this is history. If it’s not history, it’s rare AF. And, frankly, not enough people are talking about it here in Canada. They’re not talking about it at all. But I am! You’re going to hear me talking about it a lot. I’ll talk more about Elio next week but for today just know the monumental meaning of these two movies coming out on these two weekends. 

Now please enjoy behind-the-scenes footage from when Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans were camera testing for Materialists set to a brand new song by Japanese Breakfast, “My Baby”, which is what Michelle Zauner was teasing last year. It was reported a couple of months ago that the film adaptation of Michelle’s book, Crying in H Mart, had been paused for a variety of reasons, scheduling etc. Will Sharpe was supposed to direct it and now he’s dropped out. 

But, but, but… 

Michelle’s writing music for Celine’s film and she has her own screenplay that’s just waiting to be brought to screen… 

Can we manifest this? Could Celine direct Crying in H Mart?! 

Yours in gossip, 

Lainey 

Also attached: Domee Shi at the LA premiere of Elio on Tuesday night.