AAPI Films Rising to Stardom

Sierra McCoy
May 16, 2022
4 min read

In honor of Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and the recent hurtful attacks on their family members, that occurred last year, I wanted to shine some magic and light on a few incredible pieces of film work that I feel deserve some new fans, even if you already are one.

But first a little context. In the golden days of film Asian American characters were really caricatures. They were American but not Asian.

Asian Legends like Bruce Lee, and James Hong grinded at the glass ceiling in Hollywood, in order to inspire when they didn't realize they were.

Then comes this new generation of Asian American Actors who are turning the tides with their stories and all things Asian. Whether from Korea, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, and many other rich Asian Pacific countries, their stories always have one of my favorite, and the most popular themes. Love.

The AANAPI community is making major strides in the film world, with new legends coming up behind them.

The best thing about films is they can be a telescope into many different worlds with many different people, stories, or creatures. But the beauty is that all the underlying themes stay the same just presented in a new coat. Similar to Joseph and the Technicolor dream coat. But don't worry that's not where I'm going :)

Characters like Mulan, Moana and Mei Ling(Pixar's Turning Red) introduce the lens of coming of age, entering into self discovery and womanhood for Pacific Islanders and Asian American girls who come from traditional values based on their parents upbringing.

In these stories you can see how generational trauma and independence come to a head as each character tries to figure who they are, and how some times to do that you will disappoint your parents. However that makes you human and it's ok!

But I watch these films mainly for the music, Lin Manuel Miranda I swear puts some kind of ear crack on his tunes that just keep making you press play and press play hahaha

LuLu Wang-Director

Lulu Wang is one of my favorite female directors. Her work is truly fun, can be unusually humourous, and some how she knows how to take the ordinary and make it simplistically delightful, and meaningful.

One of my other favorite things about her work is that it shows and pays homage to Asian Culture. Her Culture, Herstory 😉

For example if you checkout(You should do it) The Farewell, it's a simple story of a Chinese family learning that their grandmother is dying and choose not to tell her. So they do the MOST to spend time with her, which of course is a wedding.

Although a simple story with no crazy action fight scenes or anything like that it truly is a story that anyone can relate to, with really humorous moments 😅 and it shines a light on the importance of loving and giving flowers to our elders while they’re here. Still hesitant to watch? Check out the trailer below!

https://youtu.be/RofpAjqwMa8

Native Americans-A Book on a Shelf in a Bookstore all Their Own, Owned by Them

Whether you care to acknowledge it or not(*whispers* don't worry I will) Native Americans and Indigenious People have been, are STILL, and WILL continue to be here. The wrong doing they have faced, like many other cultures, needs to be fixed.

I can only do my part the best way I know how and point out some interesting information regarding Native American actors, Filmmakers and Films.

First up are filmmakers. In total there are about 27. Many of their films are not recognized on a big scale level as they should be and some are documentaries. Yes, there is MORE than just Yellowstone on Paramount(no shade, GREAT show)! When it comes to actors that's even more limited but if disruption was a drum Native Americans are the beat.

When you watch a lot of old Western movies and shows, this group was also American but not Native.

Grant it yes I do love a good Shoot'em up Saturday, mainly Big Valley(thanks Ma), but to have white people play these characters, at the time was just wrong. Still is. For them to be seen and portrayed as not smart because they couldn't speak english baffles me when I think you need to be CRAAAZY smart to navigate untouched land by following a star or animal trackings without a guide or gps. Although change can be slow(when it shouldn’t be) I know there is more work coming for Native Americans and Muslims.

I hope this group feels celebrated this month and all year round. I hope my words bring a smile to your face and heart.

But below is short mix of actors, filmmakers, and director names and the films they are most known for.