May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and to celebrate we’re honoring the incredible work of AAPI filmmakers. The recent Oscar dominance from AAPI filmmakers is long overdue, as auteurs like Bong Joon-ho and Chloe Zhao are among those finally being recognized for exquisite work.
Once you’ve set up your preferred service, dive into some of the best films by AAPI directors. Check out eight of our top picks to support.
“Nomadland”
You knew we had to start here. Chloe Zhao took a journalistic memoir and, through a mix of fact and fiction, turned it into something truly unique. The film about economic insecurity and the joy of being outside in America hit home during the pandemic, and Zhao became the first Asian woman to win the Oscar for Best Director. Fans of this should also shop our picks for best films from female directors. You can buy “Nomadland” on Blu-ray or stream it on Hulu.
“Parasite”
Bong Joon-ho has been making genre-bending social commentary for decades, but “Parasite” exposed mainstream audiences to his brilliance. The less you learn about this film before you watch it, the better. All you need to know is that it will change your life. You can buy “Parasite” on Blu-ray, and it’s also available to stream on Hulu.
“The Farewell”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Crazy Rich Asians”
Jon M. Chu makes Baz Luhrman look shy with this delightfully opulent romantic comedy. If you’re looking for frothy summer fun, you’ve found it. The diverse cast is full of some of the most attractive people you’ll ever see, and watching them all have the time of their lives on screen never gets old. Pick up “Crazy Rich Asians” on Blu-ray or stream it on HBO Max.
“Gook”
“Life of Pi”
Ang Lee’s groundbreaking survival movie about a boy lost at sea, and the incredible special effects, changed the game. They remain as breathtaking as ever, and helped Lee pick up his second Best Director Oscar. “Life of Pi” is available on Blu-ray, and streaming on HBO Max.
“Minding the Gap”
This is ostensibly a skateboarding documentary, but it’s really a story of race and class in America. Bing Liu draws on more than a decade of footage to tell the story of three friends bonding over skateboarding as a way of confronting the challenges in their lives. You can pick up the Criterion Blu-ray or stream “Minding the Gap” on Hulu.
“Snowpiercer”
Sorry, there was no way we could limit ourselves to just one of Joon-ho’s movies. “Snowpiercer,” is a thriller about an uprising on a train that houses the super rich in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s the kind of movie that only he could come up with. The film, which stars Chris Pine and Tilda Swinton, gave American audiences a hint of what was around the corner with “Parasite.” You can buy “Snowpiercer” on Blu-ray and it’s streaming on HBO Max.
“Split”
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