Lights, Camera, Action

Lights, Camera, Action! Putting the Spotlight on Asian and Asian American Cinema

“Always Be My Maybe” (2019)

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.

“Mulan” (2020)

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.”

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.

Y E ST E R DAY

“Yesterday” (2019)

“Yesterday” is a romantic comedy directed by Danny Boyle. The movie is based on a story by Jack Barth and Richard Curtis. The story revolves around struggling musician Jack Malik, played by Himesh Patel. After a mysterious accident, Jack finds himself in a world where he is the only person who remembers the Beatles and their music. When Jack realizes that no one is familiar with the world-renowned band, he begins performing their music, claiming their songs as his own to gain worldwide recognition. Eventually, guilt and unease catch up to Jack, forcing him to choose between fame and his conscience.

“Secret Obsession” (2019) “The Farewell” (2019)

Directed by Peter Sullivan, the Netflix film is a psychological thriller. Brenda Song, perhaps best known as London Tipton in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” plays Jennifer Williams, a woman who lost her memory after being hit by a car. She wakes up in the hospital. Soon, a man rushes into the hospital room with photographs of their previous life, introducing himself as her husband, Russell W i l l i a m s . P l aye d by M i ke Vo g e l , Russell is thankful she is alive and eager to bring her home. But the story has just begun. Detective Page, played by Dennis Haysbert, begins pursuing Jennifer’s assailant and coincidently discovers the dark truth behind Jennifer’s husband. Partly inspired by the experiences of director Lulu Wang, “The Farewell” is a moving story about family. Billi, a Chinese American woman played by Nora Lum (better known as Awkwafina), resides in New York with her parents Haiyan and Jian, played by Tzi Ma and Diana Lin respectively. When Billi’s grandmother Nai Nai is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and has only a few months to live, Billi’s family decides to keep Nai Nai in the dark. In an effort to preserve Nai Nai’s happiness, the family stages a wedding to gather everyone in one place for the last time. The film explores and celebrates the bonds of family, while simultaneously diving into the cultural differences between Eastern and Western culture.