Asian Film Summer! (ZAN! #4)

a mega list of film and TV to support (& ENJOY) now!

With SAG-AFTRA now joining the WGA on strike, moviegoers and TV-watchers face a difficult question: Is it better to cancel streaming subscriptions and avoid the movie theater until the strike is resolved? Or is it more supportive to do the opposite?

While you’ll likely find some mixed opinions on the matter, here’s one take that was helpful for me, from writer Neil Gaiman (in response to a fan on Tumblr) —

“Continuing to go see your movies, watch your shows, stream your favorites is one of the best ways to support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA right now. This content has been made, and it makes money. It helps immensely to show the studios the value of the work that writers and actors do.

If you don’t go, it hurts writers and actors. Studios can say, ‘Well, actually, Barbie only made X dollars, Oppenheimer only made Y dollars, only so-many thousands of people watched Good Omens 2, obviously there isn’t enough money to go around. Sadface emoji.’

See the stuff you want to see with reckless abandon.“

This is especially relevant for those of us who want to support Asians in entertainment.

We can, and should, enthusiastically champion the much-needed reforms that SAG-AFTRA and WGA are seeking. But we also need to continue to show up and declare loudly — with both our voices and our wallets — that Asian representation in media matters, and that audiences want more.

And, here’s a bonus challenge: SAG-AFTRA and WGA members are not allowed to promote their work while the strike is in place. So, you’ll have to pay EXTRA attention to make sure that you don’t miss new releases.

(What a wonderful reason to share this newsletter with someone! Here’s a button for you to do that now.)

So it is with this energy that I declare, make this your summer of Asian film! Here are a bunch of movies and shows by Asian creatives that you can watch in theaters and online now.

(Also, a disclaimer: I haven’t seen all of these yet, so this week’s newsletter is more of a compilation than a full-on recommendation. But I’m pretty sure I’d recommend all of these anyway, ha.)

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🎥 On the Big Screen Now

Joy Ride

If you haven’t seen this unapologetically raunchy summer movie yet, buckle up, because it is truly a wild ride. Adele Lim’s Joy Ride thunderously introduces Asian-American faces and experiences into a space that they really haven’t occupied before in media (very-R-rated comedy). Whether you’re a fan of the genre or not, Joy Ride is certainly a movie to celebrate.

Past Lives

This intensely emotional film, directed by Celine Song, boasts a whopping 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is at the very top of my to-watch list. I haven’t heard a single bad thing uttered about this movie. Bring your tissues.

Elemental

Elemental seems to have gotten the short end of the stick in terms of marketing (BOOO). But this movie is a rich and creative re-imagining of the immigrant experience, inspired by Peter Sohn’s childhood growing up in the Bronx. Leah Lewis, a Chinese-American actress, stars in this movie.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

I think I’ve heard even LESS buzz around Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, but the reviews for this movie are absolutely glowing! The movie follows Ruby (voiced by Lana Condor) as she learns to embrace who she really is — a kraken princess, and quite possibly, the hero that the world needs. I love it already.

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🎥 On the Big Screen Soon

Shortcomings (August 4)

Mark your calendars NOW for the release of Shortcomings, which is beloved actor Randall Park’s directorial debut! The film is an adaptation of Japanese-American cartoonist Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel by the same name. Check out the trailer below and don’t forget to reserve your spot for opening weekend.

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📺 Now Streaming

American Born Chinese

Ok ok, I know it’s not technically film, but guys, it’s time to stream American Born Chinese now! Found on Disney+, and featuring many Asian actors who we know and love (like auntie Michelle Yeoh and uncle Ke Huy Quan), this show also has garnered GREAT reviews, but has somehow not generated as much love in the community as I think it deserves.

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🚨Don’t Forget: Local Film Festivals!

Here’s my confession: I had NEVER been to a film festival until this past week. So, shoutout to the New York Asian Film Festival for embracing this newbie with open arms. (I should also probably give a shoutout to the couple I saw on the subway carrying NYAFF tote bags, who inadvertently alerted me to this festival’s existence.) And I had an absolutely wonderful experience!

🌱 My Experience with Gaga (2022)

When I read that NYAFF was showing a film directed by an Indigenous (Atayal) woman from Taiwan, I knew I had to check it out. Gaga, an Atayal word that represents the Atayal way of life and values, explores how a multi-generational Atayal family faces modernization and grapples with the slow decay of gaga.

The realism and heart in this movie was so evident, and I was captivated by how believable the familial relationships were on the screen. Imagine my surprise when director Laha Mebow explained during the Q&A that nearly all the actors are amateurs, and that they frequently went off-script for extra authenticity!

I wouldn’t have known about this moving and beautifully captured film if it weren’t for this festival. I had such a great experience that I’m going back for even more films before the festival ends!

Get Googling! + Some Alternatives

If you live in or near a big city, there’s a really good chance that you can find some kind of local Asian film festival, or at the very least, a film festival that includes works by Asian creators. This summer is an amazing time to seek that out!

Here in New York, I’m excited to have one more week of NYAFF, followed by the Asian American International Film Festival (which runs July 26th through Aug 6th).

If you don’t live near a major city, or you just missed your local Asian film festival (Austin, London, and Dallas, I’m looking at you), here’s an alternative. The aforementioned Asian American International Film Festival offers on-demand screening of some films during the run of the festival. So invite some friends over and have a little “film festival” of your own! :)

& special shoutout to natl treasure Simu Liu for his role in Barbie!! Wahoo!!!🌸

we love you simu

Any movies or shows to add (I’m sure I missed some)? And if you saw any of these already, let me know what you think about them in the comments below!

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🙇🏻‍♀️ Now, it’s your turn!

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Until next time,

Rebecca