Though such conclusions may seem ridiculous at first, it is a well-known fact that films are meant to leave an impression on their audiences – they have the power to sway our judgement. What does it say about our society if these impressions are predominantly based around a white cast who a lot of us may not be able to relate to? By including a diverse profile of casts, not only in regard to race but also gender, the LGBTQ+ and the disabled community, we establish a world where people feel that their stories can be heard.
Based on Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel, Crazy Rich Asians follows Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) in her new-found discovery that her boyfriend (Henry Golding) is actually from one of the wealthiest families in Singapore. It’s sure to get you laughing, crying, and beaming from ear-to-ear at the same time. More than just a movie, this feel-good romantic comedy is a landmark in the history of films, as the first major studio movie “in which an Asian filmmaker has told an Asian-American story with Asians in all of the leading roles”.
Where to watch: Released in HK cinemas August 23, 2018
Running time: 120 minutes
This Pixar animated short film plays before The Incredibles 2 and is about a Chinese-Canadian mother who feels increasingly isolated from her son as he leaves home for the first time. When she makes a steamed bun that comes to life as a little boy, she leaps at the opportunity to relive her motherhood. Though some of you may not be able to identify with the cultural images throughout, it is still a great way to learn more about Chinese notions of family. If anything, it is a story of the relationship between mother and child that everyone should be able to relate to!
Where to watch: Released in HK cinemas July 19, 2018
Running time: 8 minutes
There isn’t much to be said about this epic science-fiction film that you wouldn’t know about already. The second instalment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, we’ve included this one because it scores major diversity points. Of course, this isn’t to say that the cast of a film are merely checkboxes that must be ticked off, but come on, since when have you seen an Asian woman star in a blockbuster film recognised all over the world? Kelly Marie Tran, who plays the selfless hero Rose Tico, is a pleasure to watch and joins the rest of her cast in breaking representational boundaries.
Where to watch: Available on Blu-ray
Running time: 152 minutes
In this biographical drama starring English-born actor Dev Patel and Sunny Pawar, director Garth Davis recreates the true story of an Indian boy adopted by an Australian couple, who subsequently sets out in search of his biological family. In this heart-warming tale that defies all odds, you are transported into the life of a missing child, one that is sadly a harsh reality for many families in India.
Where to watch: Available on Blu-ray
Running time: 118 minutes
This teen rom-com is for all of you out there who’ve spent more of your time admiring your crush from afar than actually doing anything about it (don’t worry, we’re all guilty of it). Based on Jenny Han’s novel, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before stars Vietnamese-American actress Lana Condor as 16-year-old Lara Jean, who has to deal with the aftermath of the unfortunate release of her love letters to previous crushes. Jenny Han herself stated that she wanted the lead actress to remain the same race (Asian-American) as in the novel: “there is power in seeing a face that looks like yours do something, be someone”.
Where to watch: Netflix HK; watch the trailer here!
Running time: 99 minutes
Starring Pakistani-American comedian Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick is a rom-com loosely based around the relationship between Najiani and his real-life girlfriend, Emily V. Gordon. It explores the story of an interracial couple who face disapproval from their families and have to overcome cultural differences.
Where to watch: Available on Blu-ray
Running time: 117 minutes
Set in Hong Kong and directed by one of our very own, this Wong Kar-wai film is about the love story between a man (Tony Leung) and a woman (Maggie Cheung) who discover that their significant others have been seeing each other behind their backs.
Where to watch: Available on Blu-ray
Running time: 98 minutes
In this award-winning comedy-drama series, Dev Shah (Aziz Ansari) tries to jump-start not only his acting career but also his dating game with the help of his bizarre group of friends in New York. Written by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, this Netflix series takes a refreshing approach on life as an adult.
Where to watch: Netflix HK; watch the trailer here!
No. of seasons: 2
Based around the Marvel comics organisation S.H.I.E.L.D, this series follows a team of spy agents who try and keep the peace on Earth by fighting against villains, aliens, super-humans, and terrorist organisations. This team includes Melinda May, played by Macanese-born American actress Ming-Na Wen, who is a badass, butt-kicking weapons expert fatal in physical combat.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon
No. of seasons: 5
This American family sitcom centres around the Asian-American Huang family, who have to strike a balance between embracing their American surroundings and keeping in touch with their Taiwanese roots. Fresh Off The Boat is a critically-acclaimed TV show that deals with the Asian-American experience in a light-hearted but still relevant way.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon
No. of seasons: 4
This crime-drama series takes a contemporary approach to the traditional character of Sherlock Holmes, starring Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon
No. of seasons: 6
Written by and starring Mindy Kaling, this rom-com series follows gynaecologist Mindy Lahiri as she navigates between her romantic and professional life with a group of co-workers by her side.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon
No. of seasons: 6
This HBO crime drama series centres around Nasir Khan (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani-American college student who wakes up after a night of partying to find a girl stabbed to death beside him in his New York apartment. The show explores the legal, criminal and personal repercussions of Khan’s circumstance.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon
No. of seasons: 1
In this horror-drama hybrid series, you are taken into a post-apocalyptic world where people have been infected with a virus that turns them into ravenous zombies, save for a small percent of the population. Steven Yeun, who plays one of the principal characters Glenn Rhee, is a treat to watch and provides some much-needed comic relief from this intense storyline.
Where to watch: Available on Amazon
No. of seasons: 8
Featured image courtesy of Crazy Rich Asians via Instagram, image #1 courtesy of Crazy Rich Asians via Instagram, image #2 by Pixar via Instagram, image #3 by @saintcronos via Instagram, image #4 by @thegrandcinema via Instagram, image #5 courtesy of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before via Instagram, image #6 courtesy of The Big Sick via Instagram, image #7 by @moviegraf via Instagram, image #8 courtesy of Master of None via Instagram, image #9 courtesy of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D via Instagram, image #10 courtesy of Fresh Off The Boat via Instagram, image #11 courtesy of Elementary via Instagram, image #12 courtesy of The Mindy Project via Instagram, image #13 by @the_nightofhbo_ via Instagram, image #14 by The Walkng Dead via Instagram.
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