Lights, Camera, Action! Putting the Spotlight on Asian and Asian American Cinema
“Mulan” (2020)
fall 2019| 11
design/ Ashley Somchanhmavong
Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, “Always Be My Maybe” presents itself as a cheesy romance with light-hearted comedy. Protagonists Marcus Kim, played by Randall Park, and Sasha Tran, played by Ali Wong, grow up as childhood friends in San Francisco, California. When Marcus’s mother is unexpectedly killed in a car accident, the protagonists each grieve in their own way, and the tragedy ultimately drives them apart. Fast forward 15 years, and Sasha has become a well-known chef and is now engaged. Meanwhile, Marcus still resides in San Francisco as the lead of an unsuccessful band. Due to the opening of her new restaurant, Sasha returns to her hometown and reconnects with Marcus. The film also features an appearance by Keanu Reeves, but we’ll let the reader figure out where he fits in to bring additional fun and drama to the already clever rom-com.
photography/ Ella Choi
“Always Be My Maybe” (2019)
The film will tell the famous tale of Hua Mulan and her recruitment into the Chinese military to fight against the Huns. Mulan disguises herself as a man to fight in place of her ill father and for her country. Mulan is agile compared to the men of the time, and with her spirit and wit, she rises as a prominent figure in the army and in history.
by Zi Zheng
Most of us are already familiar with the story of Mulan, thanks to the 1998 animated Disney film. But next spring, the story will return with a fresh new look. Disney is releasing a live-action “Mulan.” The film will be directed by Niki Caro, known for her work with the critically acclaimed film “Whale Rider.” Although a live-action version of “Mulan” was supposed to go into production in 2010, the film never took off. In 2017, however, a new cast came together with international Asian film stars like Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen and Jet Li and began a new shooting of “Mulan.”
