Immigration can be a brutal journey. It can also be euphoric, or a catalyst for a major perspective shift in someone’s life. That journey is navigated by countless individuals every single year, each of whom bear the pain and joy of making a new life in an unfamiliar place. Immigrants of all backgrounds are contributing to the genesis of a new, transnational perspective, one that has been making waves in popular art for the last few decades.
Asian-American filmmakers have directed some of the most impressive films in recent memory. Whether these films reach international acclaim or are beloved by local audiences, these are some of the most unique, affecting stories ever put to screen. And best of all, the following movies can be streamed easily from the comfort of home.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
10 The Big Sick
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 The Half Of It
Netflix
The Half Of It is loosely based on Cyrano De Bergerac, a late 19th century French play. The film is directed by Alice Wu, a lesbian and Chinese-American filmmaker. It’s a coming-of-age story that begins with a girl writing love letters to another girl on behalf of a straight male friend, a situation that derails according to its adorably flawed premise. Wu’s film is a lovable story of turbulent youth with a queer twist, witty writing, and plenty of heart. The Half Of It is available on Netflix to stream.
8 Saving Face
Destination Films
7 Crazy Rich Asians
Warner Bros. Pictures
Jon Chu directs this brilliant, atypical romantic comedy that explores the class divisions and racial tensions that arise between an Asian-American couple. Although its representation of Chinese people and Singaporeans is a little dubious in its casting, it is a major step forward for Hollywood, being the first completely Asian-led cast in a Hollywood film since The Joy Luck Club. It’s a thrilling romantic comedy with enough twists and turns to entertain, with a wildly funny supporting cast that lends the film a great sense of humor. Crazy Rich Asians can be streamed on HBO Max.
6 Better Luck Tomorrow
MTV Films
Better Luck Tomorrow is a film directed by Justin Lin, famous for the Fast and Furious franchise. A disturbing work of fiction, it explores the psychology of upper-class youths in Orange County, California. Lin was inspired to make the film after witnessing the “urban gangsta” mentality of young people in California. It’s cleverly written with plenty of high-stakes drama, and watching the downward spiral of this group of young boys is a difficult and heave journey. The film can be streamed with a STARZ subscription.
5 The Namesake
Mirabai Films
4 The Farewell
A24
3 Brokeback Mountain
River Road Entertainment
2 The Joy Luck Club
Hollywood Pictures
Based on a groundbreaking novel by Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club is an incredible adaptation directed by Wayne Kang. The story follows four Chinese women in San Francisco who regularly meet for mahjong and friendly conversation. Their stories as mothers and women is explored in a back-and-forth between the past and the present, where each moment offers rich context on what came before. The nature of this specific cultural experience is wonderfully told, balancing joy and pain in a visceral and affecting viewing experience. The Joy Luck Club has remained beautiful and relevant through the decades, and is still one of the most notable examples of Chinese-american representation in cinema. The film can be streamed on IMDb TV.
1 Minari
Minari exploded onto the 2021 awards circuit for its compelling depiction of a South Korean immigrant family transitioning to life in the United States. Lee Isaac Chung directs this semi-autobiographical story, a defiantly truthful depiction of childhood and cultural conflict. Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh-Jung, playing two of the main characters, create such a depth of feeling in their performances that Minari comes off as a engrossing and deeply affecting work of cinema. The film can be streamed with a Showtime subscription.
