The Best Asian American Movie
AAPI Month
It is now May which in the United States is recognized as AAPI month or Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 1990, George H.W. Bush signed off officially to make the month of May, AAPI Month. In recognition of this month and my Korean American heritage, I plan on covering different topics that I find interesting or important.
I’m starting off hot today with the BEST Asian American Movie which you probably haven’t seen of or heard about before. “Better Luck Tomorrow” was released in 2002 by director Justin Lin who may ring a bell for some of you if you’re into cars. He was responsible for directing many of the Fast and Furious movies as well as helping with their other projects and even worked on other franchises like Star Trek Beyond. Justin Lin himself is Taiwanese-American and his works in his early career represent his cultural upbringing in America akin to many other Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Better Luck Tomorrow
The rough synopsis of this movie is about a group of Asian-American high schoolers embarking on their transition towards college and trying to live a life with more excitement. There are twists and turns as this slice-of-life dramedy turns into an intense fight for identity and morals. Without spoiling the movie completely, it is a great take on what the model minority myth looks like for Asian-Americans and how so many have tried to break away from the pressure of stereotypes and certain consequences.
A film featuring asian-american characters however, would be hard for many to relate to and would fall under critical reception from critics and viewers. During a screening of the film, an audience member attacked the filmmakers for wrongly representing asians and asian-americans in the media. Roger Ebert, a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times retorted saying that it was offensive that this accusation was made in attack of their own people rather than supporting the grounded story in which representation was made available for AAPI members trying to break free from the stereotype of the model minority myth.
The Model Minority
I’ve brought up the model minority myth quite a few times in this article and realize I should explain it through the eyes of my own experience being a part of the AAPI community. Often times, “Model Minority” is a phrase used towards the AAPI community in reference to their character. It exists because of stereotypes like all asians are good at math or will go to Ivy-League colleges which generalizes the AAPI community. This pressure to be the best in all academic and social standings isn’t only put onto us by other minorities but also within our own communities. I remember how I used to hear from my mom about how her friends’ kids would be in advanced classes or excelling in the “typical” asian extracurricular activities such as violin, piano, or chess to name a few.
Why Does This Stereotype Hurt the AAPI Community?
I have heard from so many people outside of the AAPI community say “Generalizations aren’t good but at least you’re known for being smart.” Positive or not, generalizations hurt communities because it takes away from other aspects in which people choose to follow. For example, an asian-american choosing to pursue filmmaking or visual arts may be seen as a “failure” or “fake-asian” both within and outside of the AAPI community because they don’t adhere to the idea of Asians being solely academically talented. Many creatives in the AAPI community have been hurt and their talents discounted because of their ethnicity, but in more recent times as the AAPI community fights to be recognized without generalizations and stereotypes there are many figures fighting to show how all members of the AAPI family have their strengths and weaknesses all unique to the individual themselves.
How does the Model Minority hurt other Communities?
Since asians being viewed under the lenses of being a model minority; other communities and ethnicities are taken away from being viewed as academically talented or able to become a model within their surroundings. This has led to some dissent between the AAPI identity and others in the past and even to this day. I’ve heard people in the AAPI community say that black people only get into certain schools because of affirmative action (which is incorrect) and I have heard black people argue that asians are responsible for taking certain jobs and opportunities away from their communities and others. All of these sentiments in this example are incorrect however, there is no race or competition to find our place in this country alongside others but the pain from stereotypes and underlying racism often comes out and creates animosity. Hopefully as we continue to explore and question the stereotypes we and other communities find ourselves in, we can continue to break past them and uplift each other.
Back to Better Luck Tomorrow
This isn’t mean to a review for the movie at all but if you’re interested I would be more than open to make one for this great film.
Finally we can get back to talking about why Better Luck Tomorrow is the “BEST” AAPI movie. Thematically and socially, Justin Lin creates a very realistic environment and lifestyle to portray the struggles that the AAPI community faces in america especially towards the idea of the model minority. If you still have questions on how AAPI are viewed as model minorities, this movie will make it very clear. Thankfully this movie isn’t just a blanket stereotype put into film, the very grounded cast shows their break from the model minority with the promise of escaping their current realities as they prepare to head off to college and enjoy their senior year freedom. In twists and turns, each character realizes what unique dream they want to pursue as well as breaking away from the mold of the “Asian in America” with their rebellion and young-spirited attitudes.
Aside from the message of the movie, I loved the setting of the early 2000s high school setting which feels familiar but strange to me at the same time. I wasn’t born early enough to have been in highschool during 2002 but I do remember many of the same things that happened around that time and what life used to look like. There isn’t too much make-believe added to the characters or the settings which help to keep the film feel realistic yet engaging. They all talk like teenagers and have that angst which we all went through and it is refreshing to see some faces before they hit the big screen like Sung Kang known for his role as Han in the fast and furious franchise.
I leave you with this…
Better Luck Tomorrow is a movie that everyone should watch regardless of ethnicity or background. Such a strong story with a deep message will put you directly into the shoes of the characters or your own if you can relate with their struggles. IF this isn’t enough to convince you, it was an official selection for Sundance and the Toronto International film festivals and a Grand Jury Prize Nomination at Sundance. In the spirit of AAPI month, I encourage that you give this movie a watch and try to enjoy it as much as you can for what it provides for you, the viewer.
