Bridging Two Worlds: Janet Yang on Hollywood, China, Food, Family & the Power of Story

How does the daughter of Chinese immigrants become one of the most influential figures in Hollywood?In this wide-ranging conversation, Bret Bradigan sits down with Academy Award-winning producer and former Academy President Janet Yang to explore an extraordinary life spent building bridges between cultures.Before producing acclaimed films and working alongside Steven Spielberg on Empire of the Sun, Janet helped introduce Chinese-language and Hong Kong cinema to American audiences, opening doors that would reshape Hollywood's understanding of Asian storytelling.Together they discuss her family's journey from China to America, the regional cuisines of Shanghai and Hainan, why food is often the quickest path to understanding another culture, the enduring legacy of China's Cultural Revolution, the rise of Hong Kong cinema, representation in Hollywood, and the changing relationship between East and West through film.They also reflect on leadership, the future of cinema, what brought Janet to Ojai, and why great stories remain our most powerful tool for building understanding across cultures.This is a conversation about movies—but even more, it's a conversation about identity, history, immigration, curiosity, and the enduring power of storytelling.Topics include:• Janet Yang's family history and immigration story• Shanghai and Hainan food and culture• Hong Kong's cinematic golden age• Working with Steven Spielberg on Empire of the Sun• Producing films that changed Hollywood• Serving as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences• The Cultural Revolution and modern China• Representation and diversity in film• Why Ojai has become homeIf you enjoy thoughtful conversations about culture, history, filmmaking and the people who shape our world, you'll enjoy this episode of Ojai: Talk of the Town.