[HA for DROKU] Classic APA Films

Namesake –Directed by Mira Nair, starring Kal Penn

The film adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel captures the emotions of the incredibly deep characters all the while showing the inherent struggle of young second generation Asian Americans.  Kal Penn perfectly balances Gogol’s need to create an American identity all the while retaining his parents’ cultural heritage.

Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle – Directed by Danny Leiner, starring Kal Pen, John Cho

Our favorite pair of self medicated roommates head off to alleviate the nasty side effect of hunger; searching for East Coast-exclusive White Castle sliders.  Cho and Penn openly embrace Asian American stereotypes, only to recreate themselves through their journey as Asian characters we can only hope to see on the big screen in the future.

Children of Invention – Written and Directed by Tze Chun, starring Cindy Cheung and Michael Chen

Columbia alum Tze Chun’s second crack at Sundance won more than 15 festival awards features a pair of on-screen siblings that live out on their own in the streets of Boston when their mother is embroiled in a get-rich-quick scheme.  Forget the fact that Cindy Cheung and Michael Chen are incredibly cute, the story is compelling and you can’t help but yearn for more.

Better Luck Tomorrow- Directed by Justin Lin, starring Parry Shen, Sung Kang, Karin Anna Cheung, Roger Fan

Fast and Furious director Justin Lin’s big screen debut gave us insight to the life of four high school buds whose search for their own identities end in tragedy.  Beside an incredibly dark turn, the film openly addresses the flaws of the model minority myth and ultimately gives birth to the career of a premier Asian American director.

Wedding Banquet – Directed by Ang Lee, starring Winston Chao, Mitchell Lichtenstein, and May Chin

The premise sounds more comedic and less stellar than the actual execution and acting; a gay man fakes a relationship with a stranger to adhere to the wishes of his conservative parents: a traditional wedding banquet.  Brokeback Mountain director hit gold early, jumpstarting his career early with this magnificent film.