Movies Celebrating Asian Excellence In 2022

By Anita Tai. 25 May 2022 7:07 PM

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the great work of Asian stars in Hollywood by looking through some of the newest films to hit theatres and streaming services in 2022.

Photo: David Bornfriend /© A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Bleecker Street

Photo: JUN Hae-sun /© Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection

Photo: James Veysey/BIFA/Shutterstock

Photo: Photo: 2021 Disney/Pixar

Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Photo: Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Photo: Universal Pictures

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'Everything Everywhere All At Once'
Photo: David Bornfriend /© A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
This mind-bending action-comedy follows Michelle Yeoh as middle-aged Chinese immigrant Evelyn who owns a failing laundromat. She finds herself abruptly recruited to stop an evil force from threatening the multiverse.

The film sees Yeoh go toe to toe with Jamie Lee Curtis in high-octane martial arts stunt work as well as more intimate emotional scenes as well.

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” came out in theatres on April 1.
'Mr. Malcolm’s List'
Photo: Bleecker Street
This regency drama combines the regency-era romance with a revenge plot.

Based on the book of the same name, “Mr. Malcolm’s List” sees Zawe Asthon in the role of a jilted suitor who hatches a plot to get revenge on Sopé Dirisu’s Mr. Malcolm. She enlists the help of Freido Pinto’s Selina Dalton to ensnare Malcolm.

The film also stars Theo James and Ashley Park.

“Mr. Malcolm’s List” releases in theatres on July 1.
'Love And Leashes'
Photo: JUN Hae-sun /© Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection
In this romantic comedy, Seohyun, member of K-pop girl group SNSD, stars as an office worker who discovers her crush, a fellow office worker played by Joon-Young Lee, is into BDSM kink culture.

They soon enter a contractual relationship as partners in pleasure and pain.

“Love and Leashes” is available for streaming on Netflix now.
'Monkey Man'
Photo: James Veysey/BIFA/Shutterstock
This upcoming film marks Dev Patel’s directorial debut.

The action-thriller follows Patel as a newly released ex-felon in India, struggling to adjust to a new world of corporate greed and fading spirituality.

Netflix won the rights for distribution of the film in a $30 million deal.

The film is currently in post-production, but is expected to air on Netflix by the end of the year.
'Turning Red'
Photo: Photo: 2021 Disney/Pixar
Set in Toronto, this Disney-Pixar film tells the story of 13-year-old Mei Lee who discovers she can turn into a giant red panda whenever she gets too emotional. Hijinks ensue as she attempts to keep her secret hidden from her overbearing mother Ming.

The film is the first Pixar film helmed solely by a woman with Domee Shi in the director’s chair. Shi is also responsible for the Pixar short “Bao”.

Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh lead the voice cast.
'Decision To Leave'
Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP
The crime mystery is a new film from “Oldboy” director Park Chan-wook.

The mixed-language film stars Chinese actress Park Hae-il in the role of a detective investigating the death of a man in the mountains when he meets the man’s widow, played by Chinese star Tang Wei.

“Decision to Leave” debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23 and is expected for wide release on June 29.
'Umma'
Photo: Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
The film, named after the Korean word for mother, is produced by Sam Raimi and sees Sandra Oh in the role of Amanda, a beekeeper living on a farm with her daughter. A man arrives with the remains of her mother and sets off a chain of events that have her haunted by the notion she’s repeating her doomed relationship with her daughter.

“Umma’ released in theatres on March 18.
'Easter Sunday'
Photo: Universal Pictures
Jo Koy stars in holiday comedy about a bickering Filipino-American family.

The standup comedian plays a man returning home for an Easter celebration, which he calls “Filipino Super Bowl”.

The film is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar with a script by Ken Cheng and Kate Angelo.

“Easter Sunday” includes an all-star cast with Jimmy O. Yang, Tia Carrere, Brandon Wardell, Asif Ali, Rodney To, Eugene Cordero, Jay Chandrasekhar, Tiffany Haddish, and others.

It hits theatres on Aug. 5.

Movies Celebrating Asian Excellence In 2022

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