What to watch: 6 shows that celebrate Asian American and Pacific islander stories
When Chinese-American professor Rachel Chu accompanies her boyfriend to Singapore, she discovers his family is obscenely wealthy—and that his mother considers her utterly unsuitable. Adapted from Kevin Kwan's bestselling novel, the box office hit is the first major Hollywood studio film with an all-Asian cast in 25 years.
Beyond showcasing jaw-dropping opulence, the film explores distinctly Asian hierarchies, the weight of familial obligation, and the tension between those who migrated and those who remained. The mahjong showdown between Rachel and matriarch Eleanor Young (played by Michelle Yeoh) remains a masterclass in storytelling, communicating volumes through the strategic positioning of tiles.
Also read: Everything we know so far about the 'Crazy Rich Asians' sequel 3. 'Saving Face' (2004)
Among the groundbreaking Asian romance films, Saving Face revolves around Wil Pang, a Chinese-American surgeon juggling her mother's expectations, her community's traditions, and her growing feelings for a ballet dancer.
Long before representation was a Hollywood buzzword, Wu crafted this tender exploration of lesbian identity within the constraints of a traditional Chinese-American community in New York. When Wil's widowed mother arrives pregnant and unmarried at her doorstep, both women find themselves navigating shame, secrecy, and the possibility of redemption.
Saving Face has become a touchstone for Asian-American queer cinema—and a thoughtful choice for what to watch if you're seeking powerful, under-the-radar love stories. 4. 'Shōgun' (2024)
When a mysterious European ship washes ashore in 17th-century Japan, English pilot John Blackthorne becomes entangled in the power struggle that will determine Japan's future.
FX's TV adaptation of James Clavell's novel marks a revolutionary shift in how Japanese feudal history is presented to Western audiences. With most of the dialogue in subtitled Japanese, the series meticulously recreates the Edo period, from the political machinations of rival daimyo to the social codes governing every interaction.
Hiroyuki Sanada, who also serves as producer, brings gravitas to Lord Toranaga, while Anna Sawai, in her Emmy-winning role as Lady Mariko, portrays the constraints placed on even the more influential women in feudal Japan. If you're browsing what to watch this week, Shōgun is a visually stunning and culturally grounded pick.
Also read: Who is Anna Sawai? Get to know the first Japanese woman to win an Emmy for best drama actress 5. 'Never Have I Ever' (2020-2023)
High schooler Devi Vishwakumar's quest for popularity and romance is complicated by grief over her father's death and familial expectations as a first-generation Indian-American. Mindy Kaling's semi-autobiographical Netflix series reinvents the teen comedy by placing a brown girl with anger issues at its centre.
From navigating cultural customs to dealing with comparisons to more successful cousins, the show explores the nuances of growing up Indian in American suburbia. Tennis legend John McEnroe as the unexpected narrator perfectly complements Devi's hot-headed personality. The show's frank discussion of arranged marriages, Hindu traditions, and intergenerational trauma provides specificity without being didactic.
Also read: Exclusive: Netflix's 'Never Have I Ever' star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan talks season two 6. 'Moana' (2016)
In an effort to save her island, a Polynesian chieftain's daughter embarks on an ocean voyage with the help of ancient wayfinding traditions and a reluctant demigod.
The film's Oceanic Trust, composed of Pacific Islander experts, ensured that Polynesian wayfinding wasn't just a plot device but the spiritual backbone of the narrative. Their feedback helped shape the film down to the small details in Moana singing to the ocean and Maui recounting his feats through his tattoos. The soundtrack, which weaves Samoan, Tokelauan, and Tuvaluan lyrics with contemporary elements, amplifies this cultural specificity.
Following the success of the original film and its 2024 sequel, anticipation builds for next year's live-action adaptation, which brings back Dwayne Johnson as Maui and debuts Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana. If you're looking for what to watch as a family while celebrating Pacific Islander heritage, Moana remains a joyful, generation-spanning favourite.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
2 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Need a break from the noise? These 9 films are made for introverts seeking solitude and peace
'Paterson' (2016) A gentle masterpiece, Paterson follows one week in the life of a bus driver and poet named Paterson (Adam Driver) in New Jersey. He observes passengers, writes poetry in his notebook and shares tender moments with his spontaneous wife Laura (Golshifteh Farahani). Director Jim Jarmusch creates a startlingly undramatic work that finds profound meaning in routine and small details, celebrating the quiet act of creation as a beautiful antidote to our chaotic world. 'Tokyo Story' (1953) An ageing couple (Chishu Ryu and Chieko Higashiyama) travel from their small town to bustling Tokyo to visit their grown children, who are too busy to pay them attention. Only their widowed daughter-in-law, Noriko (Setsuko Hara), shows genuine kindness. Director Yasujiro Ozu's masterpiece uses static cameras and 'pillow shots'—brief, still images of everyday details—to create space for quiet reflection, letting emotion emerge from what remains unsaid. Don't miss: Celebrating Meryl Streep: 9 roles that built a legacy on the silver screen 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004) After a painful breakup, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), a bookish introvert, discovers his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has erased her memories of him. As he undergoes the same procedure, he relives their relationship in reverse within his crumbling mind. This surrealist romance argues that painful memories are essential to who we are, rejecting easy solutions while exploring the circular nature of destined connections. 'Her' (2013) In near-future Los Angeles, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely, introverted man, develops a complex relationship with Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an advanced AI operating system. In Her , director Spike Jonze creates a warm, inviting world that feels deeply human despite its futuristic setting. This quiet, introspective exploration of loneliness and connection is grounded by Phoenix's beautifully understated performance, examining love and consciousness in our increasingly alienated world. 'Paris, Texas' (1984) A silent, amnesiac man named Travis (Harry Dean Stanton) wanders from the desert after a four-year absence, reconnecting with his brother and young son before embarking on a road trip to find his estranged wife Jane (Nastassja Kinski). A visual poem about despair, Paris, Texas uses the vast, sun-bleached American landscape as a metaphor for Travis's internal emptiness. Ry Cooder's haunting slide-guitar score enhances the yearning within these quiet, expansive spaces. 'Arrival' (2016) When mysterious alien spacecraft appear around the world, expert linguist Dr Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is tasked with uncovering their purpose. Working alongside physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Louise races against global tensions and mistrust to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. What unfolds is a profoundly human story about language, memory and the nature of time. Based on Ted Chiang's novella, director Denis Villeneuve's version is a quietly powerful narrative that favours introspection over spectacle, transforming first contact into a meditation on love, loss and the choices that define our lives. With its muted tones and haunting score, Arrival offers a cerebral, emotionally resonant alternative to conventional science fiction blockbusters. 'Drive My Car' (2021) Two years after his wife's sudden death, stage director Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) accepts a residency in Hiroshima, forming a profound bond with his quiet chauffeur Misaki Watari (Toko Miura) as they navigate shared histories of loss. Drive My Car is a three-hour Oscar-winning epic adapted from a short story by Haruki Murakami. The film rewards patient viewers with powerful emotional payoff through its deliberate, novelistic pacing. The film asks us to slow down and experience stark, quiet reality—a necessary palette cleanser for our fast-paced world. 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017) Released 35 years after the classic 1982 film, the sequel is set in 2049 Los Angeles, where blade runner K (Ryan Gosling) unearths a secret that could plunge society into chaos, leading him to find the missing Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford). Despite its epic scale, director Denis Villeneuve's sequel maintains deliberately slow, meditative pacing that immerses viewers in its stunning yet desolate world. This intimate story explores profound philosophical questions about humanity, creating a contemplative experience enhanced by practical sets over CGI. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Tatler Asia
10 profound quotes on travel from famous writers through the ages
Henry Miller (1891–1980) 'One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.' - Henry Miller - Henry Miller, the American author best known for Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn , was an unorthodox and deeply introspective writer who viewed travel as a conduit for personal and artistic awakening. This quote appears in Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch (1957), a semi-autobiographical account of his years living in California's rugged Big Sur coast. In this work, Miller reflects on solitude, nature and the revelations that come when one steps away from society's routines. Maya Angelou (1928–2014) Above Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist who spoke of travel as a bridge between cultures and peoples. (Photo: Brian Stansberry) 'Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples laugh, cry, eat, worry and die, it can produce the idea that if we try and understand one another, we may even become friends.' - Maya Angelou - A poet, memoirist and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou brought a deeply humanistic perspective to everything she wrote. This quote is taken from Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now (1993), a collection of essays on identity, tolerance and personal growth. In this piece, Angelou champions travel as a bridge between cultures and a powerful antidote to prejudice, drawing on her own extensive global experiences. Anita Desai (b. 1937) 'Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.' - Anita Desai - Anita Desai, one of India's most respected contemporary novelists, has consistently explored the themes of identity, memory and the emotional terrain of diaspora. This quote, often attributed to her from interviews and public appearances, encapsulates the lingering emotional residue that places leave on us; it's also a theme that is echoed in works like her 2004 novel The Zigzag Way , which explores cross-cultural encounters and the pull of distant geographies. Anthony Bourdain (1956–2018) Above Chef, author and television host Anthony Bourdain left behind many eloquent quotes on travel that reflected his empathy for people he met around the world. (Photo: Peabody Awards / Creative Commons) 'Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.' - Anthony Bourdain - Anthony Bourdain, the chef-turned-author and television host, was revered not just for his culinary explorations but also for his deep respect for cultures around the world and empathy with the people that he met. This widely cited quote is from No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach , Bourdain's 2007 bestseller that was published as a companion to the hit show of the same title. Bourdain's trademark honesty about the messiness of exploration, framed in his gruffly eloquent style, made his quotes on travel unforgettable. Don't miss: 11 Hong Kong restaurants loved by Anthony Bourdain Margaret Atwood (b. 1939) 'So much better to travel than to arrive.' - Margaret Atwood - Canadian author Margaret Atwood is known for her speculative fiction masterpieces like The Handmaid's Tale , but she is also a skilled poet. This quote comes from her 1981 poetry collection True Stories , a stark and vivid set of verses born out of her travels with Amnesty International. Evoking the age-old tension between motion and destination, Atwood suggests that the process of moving forward may be more instructive than the goal itself. Paulo Coelho (b. 1947) 'If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It's lethal.' - Paulo Coelho - Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho's work often walks the line between spiritual parable and practical philosophy. This quote, popularised through social media and cited often in motivational talks, aligns closely with the ethos of his global bestseller The Alchemist (1988); though not quoted in the novel, the sentiment captures its central theme: that the pursuit of one's 'personal legend' or true purpose requires risk, courage—and leaving the familiar behind. Anaïs Nin (1903–1977) Above Anaïs Nin, the iconic bohemian diarist, saw travel as a search for connection and kinship. (Photo: Elsa Dorfman / Creative Commons) 'We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.' - Anaïs Nin - Anaïs Nin, the French Cuban American diarist and novelist, is celebrated for her lyrical, introspective writing and her bohemian spirit. This quote is from The Diary of Anaïs Nin , in which she reflects on her lifelong search for emotional and intellectual kinship. For Nin, travel was not merely a physical act; it was a quest for deeper connection and alternative modes of living. Judith Thurman (b. 1946) 'Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you've never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground.' - Judith Thurman - Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and New Yorker writer Judith Thurman penned this evocative quote on travel in Cleopatra's Nose: 39 Varieties of Desire (2007), a collection of literary essays. It perfectly captures the paradoxical yearning for the unknown, and speaks to dreamers, writers and travellers who feel the pull of imagined landscapes more strongly than those of their everyday lives. Roald Dahl (1916–1990) 'And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.' - Roald Dahl - British novelist Roald Dahl, beloved for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda , infused his children's stories with curiosity and wonder. This beautiful quote on travel comes from The Minpins (1991), one of his final works. Though it's aimed at young readers, the message is timeless: approach the world with awe and attention, and you'll be rewarded with unexpected magic.
Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Tatler Asia
8 things to know about Zhao Liying, global brand ambassador for Givenchy Beauty
Zhao Liying returned to the small screen in 2024 with Unseen Sister , a suspense drama produced by iQIYI. In it, she plays a woman drawn into a psychological mystery involving her twin, in a role that sharply departs from her earlier romantic leads. The series has been praised for its tight pacing and atmospheric tension, quickly climbing the platform's charts. For Zhao, it's another reminder of her range—and a pivot toward darker, more layered storytelling. 3. She stars alongside Zhang Ziyi in 'She's Got No Name' Above 'She's Got No Name' also stars Zhang Ziyi, Jackson Yee, Eric Wang (Chuanjun), Jiayin Lei and Mi Yang. Zhao Liying takes on a leading role in She's Got No Name , a historical suspense film directed by Peter Chan and co-starring Zhang Ziyi. The film reimagines the infamous 1945 Shanghai murder case involving a woman who dismembers her abusive husband, a story previously adapted by Chinese cinema icons. This version promises a more nuanced, female-driven take. For Zhao, it's a high-profile entry into arthouse cinema, sharing top billing with one of China's most acclaimed actresses. 4. Her career didn't start in film school Unlike many of her peers, Zhao didn't attend a top arts university. She studied electronics and information engineering at a vocational college and entered the entertainment industry after winning a Yahoo-sponsored talent competition in 2006. Her trajectory, from background actress to leading star, has made her something of a rarity in the industry, especially one that tends to favour graduates from Beijing Film Academy or the Central Academy of Drama. 5. She keeps her private life tightly controlled In an era of oversharing, Zhao Liying is surprisingly reserved. Her Weibo feed is mostly promotional, and her Instagram only has 11 posts. Her public appearances are highly curated, too. Even major life events—such as her marriage to actor Feng Shaofeng and subsequent divorce—have been addressed with brief, minimal statements. That level of discretion is partly why her Givenchy ambassadorship feels so intentional: she brings prestige without excessive tabloid noise. 6. She's no stranger to fashion campaigns Before Givenchy, Zhao had already been tapped by luxury brands. She has worked with Dior and Gucci, appeared in editorials for magazines and attended fashion week events in both Paris and Shanghai. Her style evolution—from girl-next-door looks to more structured, high-fashion silhouettes—mirrors her on-screen transformation from romantic heroines to more mature, complex characters. 7. She wears Givenchy Beauty's Le Rouge Velvet Matte lipstick in the new campaign In the campaign visuals for Givenchy Beauty, Zhao Liying wears the brand's Le Rouge Velvet Matte lipstick, a hero product for the maison. The shades were selected to complement her pared-back styling—classic, controlled and quietly powerful. It's a calculated image shift: Zhao has often been cast in softer, romantic roles, but here she appears sharp and self-assured. The campaign leans into her evolving persona while anchoring Givenchy's identity in modern elegance. 8. Zhao Liying is also a global ambassador for Galénic Her partnership with Givenchy isn't her only tie to French beauty. Zhao Liying is also the global ambassador for Galénic, a luxury skincare brand known for its pharmaceutical-grade formulations and minimalist aesthetic. Announced in early 2024, the collaboration positions Zhao at the intersection of science-driven skincare and high fashion. It also reinforces her role as a trusted beauty figure, not just a celebrity face, but someone with influence in both treatment and cosmetics categories.
