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What to Watch Today: 7 compelling Asian-American movies that will warm your hearts; on Netflix & more
Identity crisis, cultural displacement, and other such problems have been poignantly highlighted in these narratives
Maansi V
Published: Feb 28, 2023 | 12:33:28 IST
Watching a movie through a cultural lens is a great way of gaining insight into the history and the current situation of a particular society. It opens our intellectual and emotional bandwidth and helps us to learn something new on a global level. Narratives about immigrants or falling in love with someone from a different nationality, understanding the problems faced by such communities will always be a unique cinematic experience. Over the years there have been several movies and web series about the Asian-American diaspora that have put the spotlight on the plight of immigrants or the children of these immigrants. Identity crises, cultural dilemmas, and other such problems have been poignantly highlighted in several movies and web series – The Joy Luck Club, The Farewell, Columbus, Saving Face, To All The Boys I Have Loved Before, among several others.
7 compelling Asian-American movies that will warm your hearts; on Netflix & more
1. Crazy Rich Asians – Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Based on the novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan, the rom-com boasts a noteworthy cast starring Constance Wu, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Jeon, among several others. The plot revolves around a Chinese-American professor Rachel (Constance) travelling to Singapore for her boyfriend Nicholas Young’s best friend’s wedding and to meet his super wealthy family. In a light-hearted manner, the movie shows the cultural difference between the Chinese-American Rachel and the traditional Chinese Young family. Rachel is mocked for forgoing her Chinese roots and becoming a complete American. She is also looked down upon for her class and for being brought up by a single mother. Here, wealthy Asians have a say over everything. The movie is a treat to watch not just for the story, but for its grandeur and opulence which is evident in every small detail.
2. Minari – Amazon Prime Video
The critically acclaimed film is a heart-wrenching tale of an immigrant family finding a place in a foreign country. The movie revolves around the Korean-American Chung family that is trying to assimilate into American culture while trying to actualise their American dream during the 1980s. Through their hardships, they learn the true meaning of home and family. Through the use of minari seeds as a metaphor, the Chung family finally finds and sets its roots in America. The movie is a semi-autobiographical account of director Lee Isaac Chung’s life.
3. The Namesake – Disney+Hotstar
Starring the late actor Irrfan Khan and Tabu in the lead roles, the movie is based on the novel of the same name by Jhumpa Lahiri. The movie stars Kal Penn and Sahira Nair in pivotal roles. The story, set primarily in Kolkata and New York, follows Ashoke (Irrfan) and Ashima Ganguli (Tabu) and their struggles as first-generation immigrants. The movie also highlights the identity crisis and other dilemmas their Indian-American children – Gogol (Kal) and Sonia (Sahira) – face.
4. The Big Sick – Amazon Prime Video
Headlined by Pakistani-American actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani, this fun drama revolves around the relationship of an inter-racial couple, which is reflective of Kumail’s relationship with his American wife, writer, and producer Emily V Gordon. Kumail plays a Pakistani stand-up comedian and a first-generation immigrant living in Chicago. The movie focuses on his complicated relationship with a white woman and the pressure he feels to meet his family’s expectations on all fronts – professional and personal.
5. Tigertail – Netflix
The movie is based on the director of the movie Alan Yang’s own life. The story follows Pin-Jui, who moves to America with his wife Zhenzhen, sacrificing his dreams in the process. Over the years, Pin-Jui and Zhenzhen, stuck in a loveless marriage, try to make it through for the sake of their daughter Rachel, but fail. He also has an estranged relationship with Rachel. Eventually, the two separate and Pin-Jui reconnects with his ex Yuan. At Yuan’s behest, he tries to mend his relationship with his daughter and takes her to his hometown in Taiwan. This underrated movie should definitely be on your watchlist.
6. Never Have I Ever – Netflix
The web series streaming on Netflix follows 15-year-old Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American Tamil girl, navigating high school life and dealing with the pressures of being a first-generation immigrant. Teenage angst, heartbreak, identity crisis, cultural displacement, and acceptance make the series relatable for many. The web series is loosely based on co-creator, actor, and producer Mindy Kaling’s growing up years. The plot primarily revolves around Devi dealing with the sudden death of her father and her determination to elevate her status at school. She enlists help from her friends. Meanwhile, Devi also finds herself falling for two popular boys – Ben Gross and Paxton Hall Yoshida.
7. Always Be My Maybe – Netflix
Sasha Tran and Marcus Kim are childhood friends and neighbours living in San Francisco. Sasha’s parents are Vietnamese immigrants, while Marcus’ father is Korean, and his mother is Korean-American. Sasha forms a close bond with Marcus’ parents, especially his mother, who teaches her Korean food. But, the two have a fallout after his mother’s death and move away, pursuing their careers. The duo meets after 16 years when Sasha temporarily moves back to her childhood nieghbourhood to oversee the construction of her new restaurant. Old feelings resurface and the two are forced to accept them while dealing with the fact that the two now live in two different worlds – Sasha a famous and successful restaurateur and Marcus working as a maintenance worker and in a fairly unsuccessful local band.
Genre
Award Winning
Drama
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