What better way to immerse yourself in Asian Heritage Month than through the captivating lens of Asian cinema? Here’s a selection of films that showcase or are created by the Asian community. So grab your popcorn and join us on a cinematic journey.
National Film Board (NFB)
The NFB have a curated selection of films that celebrate the many achievements and stories of Canadians of Asian descent: Asian Communities in Canada
Looking for a short to watch during your coffee break? We loved this short film titled “The Boat People” (2023, 9 minutes). Vietnamese-born illustrator and author Thao Lam offers an important life lesson inspired by her family’s immigration story. As a child in Vietnam, Thao’s mother often rescued ants from bowls of sugar water. Years later they would return the favour. This animated documentary uses a striking metaphor to trace one family’s flight across the turbulent waters of history.
Canadian Films from Criterion-on-demand
RU (French with English subtitles) – Based on the Governor General’s Award-winning novel by Kim Thúy. Ru is the story of the arduous journey of a family fleeing from Vietnam, and arrival in Montréal to begin their new life. The film centres on the coming-of-age of Tinh as she learns a new language and integrates into her new environment.
Bollywood/Hollywood is a 2002 Canadian romantic comedy drama film directed by Deepa Mehta and starring Rahul Khanna and Lisa Ray.
The film pokes fun at traditional Indian stereotypes, as well as at Indian cinema (it features several Indian film-style song-and-dance numbers).
The Breadwinner (2017) – A headstrong young girl in Afghanistan disguises herself as a boy in order to support her family. Parvana discovers a new world of freedom and danger. With undaunted courage, Parvana draws strength from the fantastical stories she invents, as she embarks on a quest to find her father and reunite her family.
Double Happiness (1994) Directed by Mina Shum and starring Sandra Oh as an actress struggling to assert her independence from the expectations of her Chinese Canadian family.
The film was the first feature directed by a Chinese Canadian woman to be given a wide release. This was one of Oh’s earliest performances winning the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
Peace by Chocolate (2022) – After the bombing of his father’s chocolate factory, a charming young Syrian refugee struggles to settle into his new small-town life, caught between following his dream and preserving his family’s legacy.
Kanopy
Kanopy’s streaming collections offer a plethora of films from sources worldwide including documentaries, training films and theatrical releases. By searching the tag – Asian cinema – you can access feature length films sorted by country/region, most popular, or “A – Z” .
Hidden Gems – Streaming Databases
Have a look at our series of Library News blog articles about our streaming services. Click on the images to below to explore and enjoy! :
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