May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is a good time to reflect on the contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to entertainment – including film and television. But did you know that Asian Americans are only cast in less than 5 percent of total film roles?
Let’s go through some of the best movies that feature an Asian or Pacific Islander cast, director or accurate storyline that are worth a watch or two, year-round. And they’re all available to rent or buy on DIRECTV!
‘Minari’
Minari is a touching tale about a Korean American family who relocates to rural Arkansas on a quest for the quintessential American dream. As expected, they are met with challenges and struggles, but prevail as a family. This Sundance-winning film was inexplicably called a “foreign language film” by the Golden Globes despite its American-centric plot, cast, director and producer, which just means the diverse makeup of the countries culture is still underappreciated. This film stars Steven Yeun, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton.
‘Parasite’
Taking the world by storm since its 2019 release, punctuated by its Oscar win for Best Picture (along three other awards), Parasite has been groundbreaking not only for the horror genre, but marked an important moment for Korean Americans as well. The Bong Joon-ho directed film details the class struggle in South Korea while also celebrating family bonds and traditional cultural values draped with a modern veil.
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‘The Joy Luck Club’
The 1993 film based on the beloved book with the same name, follows a group of elderly Chinese mothers who trade stories over Mayjong, which gives their first-generation Chinese American daughters insight into their matriarchs’ tumultuous pasts. Although the film is three decades old, the message still resonates today for anyone who struggles understanding where their parents come from. The film was a major step forward in film, as it featured an all-Asian cast.
‘Crazy Rich Asians’
The first movie to boast an all-Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club, Crazy Rich Asians tells a romantic story about a couple who travels to Singapore to attend a wedding, when Rachel (Constance Wu) discovers her beau, Nick (Henry Golding) is ridiculous wealthy, and has an overbearing (and disapproving) mother.
‘Life of Pi’
When former zoo owners move to Canada from India and their ship sinks, teenager Pi (Suraj Sharma) and a Bengal tiger are the sole survivors. The two unlikely partners are forced to rely on one another in order to survive the ordeal. This in depth story can’t be taken as face value, as beyond the visual storyline, a narrative of religion, faith and co-existence runs throughout. Directed by Ang Lee, Life of Pi won numerous awards including several Oscars upon its release.
‘The Farewell’
When a beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis, her family decides to forgo telling her and instead orchestrates a wedding in China so everyone will come together to say goodbye. However, Billi (Awkwafina) struggles keeping the secret due to her close relationship with her grandmother. Lulu Wang directs this emotional, family-friendly drama.
‘The Fabulous Filipino Brothers’
Four very different brothers re-connect in the lead up to a family wedding. In this romantic comedy that leans heavier toward the latter, Dante Basco makes his directorial debut with the help of his family. Alongside his actual three brothers, his parents also star in this fictitious family film. Fall in love with the family in The Fabulous Filipino Brothers.
‘Moana’
Disney’s Moana is so much more than an extremely catchy soundtrack, it tells a historic story of island culture. The fictional Motunui nods toward the island culture of Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti as Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) goes on a voyage to find her identity meeting fun and interesting characters along the way, including demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson).
‘Slumdog Millionaire’
The Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” is the way out for a struggling young man who is surviving on the streets of Mumbai, while his brother relishes a life of crime.
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
On a quest to find his stolen sword called the Green Destiny, a Qing Dynasty warrior, (Chow Yun-Fat) journeys to the House of Yu while connecting with his love, Mu Bai (Michelle Yeoh).
More to Watch
Keep your binge going with a few more films that either feature an Asian-American or Pacific Islander director, cast or storyline.
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