Film Review: Andrew Ahn’s ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Reimagines a Queer Classic with Humor, Tension, and Generational Reckoning

In an industry still hesitant to fund stories like this, “The Wedding Banquet” is a welcome and necessary entry into a library that’s far too thin. At a time when both LGBTQIA+ and Asian American communities continue to face backlash and erasure, films like this remind us why visibility matters—not in a surface-level sense, but in the deeper work of showing lives, contradictions, and relationships that feel real. Continue reading Film Review: Andrew Ahn’s ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Reimagines a Queer Classic with Humor, Tension, and Generational Reckoning

Ben L.April 18, 2025April 19, 20251 Comment

Film Reviews, Interviews, Reviews

Shirley Chen and Amy Wang Deliver SXSW Winner with Satirical, Genre-Bending Thriller Film ‘Slanted’

Debuting at SXSW, Amy Wang’s “Slanted” delivers a sharp and fearless take on identity, assimilation, and self-worth, wrapped in dark humor and body horror. The film, which won Best Narrative Feature, cements Wang as a filmmaker to watch, tackling heavy themes with a biting satirical edge. Anchored by Shirley Chen, McKenna Grace, Vivian Wu, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Amelie Zilber, “Slanted” takes well executed risks in … Continue reading Shirley Chen and Amy Wang Deliver SXSW Winner with Satirical, Genre-Bending Thriller Film ‘Slanted’

Ben L.March 15, 2025Leave a comment

AAPI Creator Spotlight, Film Reviews, Interviews, Reviews

Gillian McKercher’s “Lucky Star” Brings an Authentic Asian-Canadian Story to SBIFF

The 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival has once again proven to be a hub for groundbreaking cinema, and among this year’s standout selections is “Lucky Star”, a gripping drama that offers a fresh perspective on the Asian-Canadian experience. Continue reading Gillian McKercher’s “Lucky Star” Brings an Authentic Asian-Canadian Story to SBIFF

Ben L.February 14, 2025Leave a comment

Film Reviews, Reviews

“Dìdi” Captures the Heartbreak and Humor of Growing Up Asian American

(This article originally appeared on Awards Focus) There’s a moment in Sean Wang’s “Dìdi” that stopped me cold: Chris Wang, a Taiwanese American teen in Fremont, California, quietly questioning where he fits—torn between the comfort of his Asian friends and the appeal of the white skater kids he hopes will see him as “cool.” That push-pull, that calculation of identity in real time, is something … Continue reading “Dìdi” Captures the Heartbreak and Humor of Growing Up Asian American

Ben L.July 25, 2024April 27, 2025Leave a comment

Film Reviews, Reviews

‘Joy Ride’ Pushes Boundaries With Heart, Humor, and a Few Stumbles

(This article originally appeared on Awards Focus) After the breakthroughs of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Turning Red,” another important step for Asian American representation arrives with “Joy Ride,” directed by Adele Lim, the co-writer of “Crazy Rich Asians.” The film follows four childhood friends—Audrey (Ashley Park), Lolo (Sherry Cola), Kat (Stephanie Hsu), and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu)—who embark on a business trip to China … Continue reading ‘Joy Ride’ Pushes Boundaries With Heart, Humor, and a Few Stumbles

Ben L.July 7, 2023April 26, 2025Leave a comment

Film Reviews, Reviews

‘Past Lives’ – A Hauntingly Beautiful Meditation on Love, Fate, and Identity

As we head into the Oscars, “Past Lives” is my pick for Best Picture—even though it’s unlikely to win. Months after watching it, the film still lingers in my mind. It’s the kind of movie that doesn’t just end when the credits roll. It stays with you, creeping into quiet moments of reflection, making you think about the choices you’ve made, the paths you didn’t … Continue reading ‘Past Lives’ – A Hauntingly Beautiful Meditation on Love, Fate, and Identity

Ben L.March 7, 2023March 21, 2025Leave a comment

Film Reviews, Reviews

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ – The Wildest, Most Emotional Multiverse Film Yet

As an Asian American, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” wasn’t just a movie for me—it was an experience. The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) have made a film that defies genre, blending sci-fi, absurdist comedy, action, and heartfelt drama into something that feels completely unique. It’s a movie that’s chaotic and ridiculous one moment, deeply moving the next, and yet somehow, it all works. … Continue reading ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ – The Wildest, Most Emotional Multiverse Film Yet

Ben L.April 25, 2022April 25, 2025Leave a comment