Asian American / Asian Research Institute
The City University of New York
The Clay Bird (Bangladesh, 2002) Young Anu (Nurul Islam Bablu) navigates an uncertain life as East Pakistan heads toward revolution in Tareque Masud’s drama. Anu’s fundamentalist father, Kazi, ignores his depressed mother; his little sister is ill; and his uncle grows bitter toward the military rule. To ensure Anu’s devoutness, Kazi sends him to a … Read more
A Tale of Two Sisters (South Korea, 2003) Based on a Korean folk tale, A TALE OF TWO SISTERS is a highly acclaimed horror film from director Ji-woon Kim. The film delicately balances a slow, building atmosphere of dread with sudden horrific shocks through stately, handsome cinematography and a suitably spooky musical score. Soo-mi (Su-jeong … Read more
Beshkempir: The Adopted Son (Krygyztan, 1998) Inspired by an old custom, first-time writer/director Aktan Abdikalikov illustrates the semi-autobiographical story of a young boy named Beshkempir. This is a coming of age story and one of discovery, when Bashkempir discovers that his parents are not his biological parents. This film was produced and made in Kyrgyztan. … Read more
What Time Is It There? (Taiwan, 2001) From acclaimed director Tsai Ming-Liang (Vive L’Amour, The River) comes the quirky story of Hsiao Kang (Lee Kang-Sheng) who sells watches in the streets of Taipei for a living. A few days after his father’s death, he meets Shiang-chyi, a young woman who leaves for Paris the very … Read more
Made In India? (USA, 2006) Meet Deepti Paul. She is 27 years old – Indian – and it’s time to get married. That’s what her parents and extended family think. It doesn’t matter that Deepti grew up American and is currently living on her own in New York City, happy and independent. Her family believes … Read more
Nobody Knows (Japan, 2004) Yuya Yagira was named Best Actor at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival for his moving portrayal of the older brother trying desperately to support his three younger siblings in writer-director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s masterful work NOBODY KNOWS. Kore-eda (MABOROSI, AFTER LIFE) also produced and edited the film, which was nominated for the … Read more