AAPI Films You May Not Have Heard Of

Kumu Hina is a 2014 short documentary, directed by Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer, about the life and work of Hina Wong-Kalu, a Hawaiian transgender woman and māhū, a person who embodies both male and female spirit. The documentary focuses on her efforts to maintain and share traditional Pacific Islander culture in an increasingly Westernized modern Hawai'i. Kumu Hina also explores how she uses these teachings to inspire one of her students to become the leader of a school's all-male hula troupe despite the backlash from the Honolulu community. Many of the themes focus on gender diversity, tradition, and acceptance within the Hawaiian community.

The Wedding Banquet is a 1993 romantic comedy, directed by Ang Lee, about a bisexual Taiwanese immigrant man named Wai-Tung Gao, who marries a mainland Chinese woman, Wei-Wei, to satisfy his parents and get her a green card. However, he does not anticipate his parents coming to the U.S. to plan his wedding banquet and has to hide the fact that is dating Simon, another man. When Wai-Tung's parents come to New York City, he must pretend to be a happily married couple with Wei-Wei, which puts a strain on his relationship with Simon. The Wedding Banquet explores themes of intersectionality, sexuality, and the gap between generational and cultural beliefs.

Yesterday is a 2019 romance musical, directed by Danny Boyle, about Jack Malik, a struggling singer-songwriter who wakes up after a global blackout to discover that no one remembers The Beatles. By performing top hits from one of the greatest bands in history, Jack is suddenly faced with fame and fortune. However, as he rises to stardom, he starts to become more and more distant with Ellie, his childhood best friend who has supported him through thick and thin. Jack must then make a choice between his old and new life. Yesterday discusses topics like embracing the ordinary and the futility of chasing false rewards, as well as finding love.

Gook is a drama by Justin Chon, released in 2017, based on his own experiences during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, which were sparked by the acquittal of four police officers that had used excessive force against Rodney King, an African American man. The film follows Eli and Daniel, two Korean American brothers running a struggling women's shoe store, who form an unlikely friendship with Kamilla, an 11-year-old African American girl. As the verdict for the Rodney King case comes in, the streets of L.A. erupt into chaos as the riots begin. Eli and Daniel must find a way to navigate this crisis with Kamilla in tow. Gook tackles identity, belonging, intergenerational conflicts, and cross-cultural tensions.

Catfish in Black Bean Sauce is a 2000 dramatic comedy, directed by Chi Muoi Lo, about an African American couple that adopts two Vietnamese children, a boy, and a girl, from a refugee camp. After twenty-two years, Mai, the sister, finds their birth mother, who was separated from them during the war and brings her to America. Her brother, Dwayne, has conflicting feelings about this, and the reunion results in a series of misconceptions. The idea of cross-cultural tensions between different ethnic groups in Los Angeles is explored, as well as the importance of family and accepting one's own heritage.

Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro and released in 2003, is a family drama about a young girl named Pai who challenges her Māori village's traditions. As the granddaughter of the current Chief, Pai is supposed to be the next in line to succeed her grandfather. However, custom dictates that only a male heir can assume the position. While Pai's grandmother takes care of her and supports her, Pai's grandfather believes that she is the cause of misfortune in their village and is adamant about finding a male heir. Pai must find a way to gain his approval. Whale Rider challenges ideas about tradition, while also talking about cultural identity and female empowerment.

Mississippi Masala is a 1991 romantic drama, directed by Mira Nair, focused on the lives of Mina and her Indian family who are forced to flee from Uganda by the dictatorship of Idi Amin. The family ends up in Mississippi as hotel housekeepers, where Mina meets Demetrius, a carpet cleaner, with whom she begins to fall in love. Tensions immediately rise between their two families due to the interracial nature of their relationship, and it challenges their prejudices and preconceived notions. Mississippi Masala explores the themes of the complexities of love in the modern melting pot, while also tackling issues like racism, colorism, culture clash, and displacement.