It’s almost time for the 94th Annual Academy Awards, and we cannot help but shout out all the Asian and AA/PI talent that are nominated! Find out who the nominees are and where to watch these stunning films below.
ASCENSION - Documentary (Feature)
The subject matter mined by ASCENSION —wealth inequality, mass surveillance, the cult of self-improvement—isn't exactly new ground, in a Chinese context or otherwise. But Jessica Kingdon's observational documentary synthesizes these themes into an unsettling portrait of a hyper capitalist performance society, where factory workers start the day chanting company loyalty songs, aspiring butlers practice dining in the "formal Western way," and their potential employers practice ringing bells to summon the help. The almost wall-to-wall ambient score produces an otherworldly effect, yet much of the proceedings are all too relatable. - Josh Martin, Special Programs & Film Programmer
Watch: Streaming on Paramount+
DRIVE MY CAR - Best Picture, Directing, International Feature, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
I know a lot of people can get intimidated by the runtime of DRIVE MY CAR, it clocks in at 179 minutes. But believe me when I say, every minute of this film is a masterpiece. DRIVE MY CAR is a beautiful story about grief and loss. I saw this film at AFS Cinema in December, and I still find myself thinking about it constantly. - Neha Aziz, Director of Community Programs & Film Programmer
Watch: Streaming on HBO Max/Rent via Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Vudu
FLEE - Animated Feature Film, Documentary (Feature), International Feature Film
FLEE is a beautifully animated and intimate documentary directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen. Growing up in Denmark, Rasmussen became friends with Amin, a refugee from Afghanistan. Years later, when both are adults, Amin’s story unfolds. FLEE discusses issues of displacement, and where one ultimately decides where to call “home”. - N.A.
Watch: Streaming on Hulu/Rent via YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
HOUSE OF GUCCI - Makeup and Hairstyling
The film, by nature of most biopics, required meticulous planning and research deep into the archives — of wedding photos, past interviews, documentaries — by the cast and crew to ensure each character's most accurate portrayal. Lady Gaga, for example, had "over 50 different looks in the movie," said her makeup artist Sarah Tanno, that followed her character from the 70s through the 90s. "The prep work started way before the film," she added. "She would do fittings with [the film's stylist], and Frederic and I would be trying on [wigs] or throwing on makeup with her looks and taking notes." - Kelsey Castañon, POP SUGAR
Watch: YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV, Amazon Prime
LUANNA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM - International Feature Film
The 109-minute Bhutanese film is about young Ugyen, who has been sent off by the authorities to teach children at Lunana, one of the remotest high-altitude schools in the world. An arduous eight-day trek later, he finds himself stationed in a place with inclement weather and a lack of electricity and other basic amenities.LUANA proves to be transformative for Ugyen as he learns profound life lessons from the simple, poor but generous locals. - Namrata Joshi, Al Jazeera
Watch: Rent via Amazon Prime, YouTube, Vudu, Google, Play Apple TV
THE LONG GOODBYE - Short Film (Live Action)
It is a very complicated thing when your identities are tied to different places, for example the country that you were born in and the country you choose to live in. In THE LONG GOODBYE Riz Ahmed and Aneil Karia bring Islamophobia to the forefront, and give viewers a taste into an immigrant’s worst nightmare. - N.A.
Watch: On Vimeo.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON - Animated Feature
Raya’s (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) ultimate quest is to gather all five pieces of a dragon orb with the help of her dragon companion named Sisu (voiced by Awkwafina). Featuring complex choreographed fights with evil creatures who turn people to stone, and stunning animation of hyper-realistic landscapes, Raya and the Last Dragon is a joy to watch with the family. - Tony Nguyen, Digital Marketing Coordinator
Watch: On Disney+
SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS - Visual Effects
With Marvel's first Asian superhero, Simu Liu transitions from Kim's Convenience fame to joining Asian superstars Tong Leung and Michelle Yoeh on the big screen in another Marvel blockbuster hit. While Marvel's movies are familiar events by now, SHANG CHI sets itself apart from the rest of the repertoire with a multifaceted villain and some incredibly choreographed fight scenes. - Yuxi Lai, Film Programmer
Watch: Streaming on Disney+/ Rent via Google Play, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
THREE SONGS FOR BENAZIR - Documentary (Short Subject)
THREE SONGS FOR BENAZIR takes an intimate look at Shaista and Benazir, a couple living in a camp for displaced persons in Kabul, Afghanistan. Shaista is trying to figure his life out, he wants to be the first in his tribe to join the Afghan National Army, but he is also going to be a father soon. Directors Elizabeth and Gulistan Mirzaei follow Shaista’s struggles as he tries to figure out what is right for his family. - N.A.
Watch: Streaming on Netflix
WRITING WITH FIRE - Documentary (Feature)
Several times in the documentary WRITING WITH FIRE we see women reporters standing alone in a crowd of men — cops, miners, political rallyists — asking gentle but firm questions. The women’s grit in the face of palpable hostility is impressive, and it becomes more so when you learn that they’re in Uttar Pradesh, an Indian province known for crimes against women, and that they are Dalits, or members of the country’s so-called untouchable caste. These are the reporters of Khabar Lahariya, India’s only women-led newspaper. - Devika Girish, The New York Times
Watch: PBS on 3/28
