PENDULUM 💫

Hi, how was your week?

Asian families are like a pendulum, swinging your emotions from left to right. They take you through the full spectrum—joy, anger, guilt, and love. However, at the end of the day, families will always find their way back to the core, where love stays.

All the expectations of high A’s, stable jobs, and a good marriage may not align with our goals, but they dream for us to lead a peaceful life. So, sometimes we may get into conflicts with our families, but take the time to sit down and listen to both sides. Families can be tough, but they’re also home.

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WEEKLY FAVORITES ❤

In this series, AHN will share our top picks from last week—whether it’s music, a movie, or a random item. We hope they bring you fun and maybe even some new experiences!

🎞️ The Ancestral House (2025)

Language: Vietnamese
Genre: Drama, Comedy

If you're Vietnamese, you may have heard of "ancestor worship." It is a beautiful tradition that honors the spirits of our ancestors and carries their wisdom forward to future generations. This movie transforms the serene backdrop of rural Vietnam into a thrilling story of family conflicts and values—sometimes satirical, sometimes painful.

But at the end of the day, families remain the core of who we are. Through misunderstandings, sacrifices, and reconciliations, the film reminds us that no matter how far we stray or how much we change, the ties that bind us to our roots are never truly broken.

Check out this post for further details!

🎶 Psychopomp (2016)

Language: English
Genre: Dream pop, Shoegaze

Nothing hurts more than the loss of one’s parent. It feels like you’re going through an apocalypse, and you’re constantly craving those once-familiar tastes—through the food you eat, the places you travel, the books you read. But nothing can ever compare.

Korean American singer-songwriter Michelle Zauner, lead vocalist of the American indie band Japanese Breakfast, grieved through music after her mother’s death from cancer. The album is a tribute to her late mother. The pain became so unbearable and visceral that Michelle had to nonchalantly scream, “Well then, f*** it all,” in vain.

WORD OF THE WEEK 🗞️

Presented by Citrus

Who We Are

Citrus is a culturally rooted marketing studio working at the intersection of community, storytelling, and strategy. Our debut campaign supported The Ancestral Home (Nhà Gia Tiên), a Vietnamese supernatural drama that opened in 140+ theaters across the U.S. and Canada, with over 30,000 tickets sold during its Mother’s Day weekend premiere.

Why We Do It

We believe multicultural marketing isn’t just about visibility—it’s about power. Films carry political weight—not in a partisan sense, but in meaning. They reflect who matters, whose stories are told, and which narratives are deemed worth preserving.

What We’re Looking For

We’re here for the stories that say something; that teach, inform, and reflect the depth and dynamism of our communities. We want to work with filmmakers telling bold, beautiful truths: stories that seek visibility as the first step toward deeper understanding. If your project is rooted in meaning and impact and ready to do the important work of connecting, we’d love to help bring it forward in ways that feel true.

For newsletter sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to [email protected] 

MINIGAME 🎉

Welcome to this small minigame! The rules are simple. We share three Asian cultural facts—two true and one false. You will choose the lie. 

Continue reading to check the answer. 😁

“What You Are Now”: A Story of Cambodian Generational Trauma and Healing in the US ❤️‍🩹

It has been 50 years since the Khmer Rouge genocide, yet the trauma still looms over present-day Khmer. To explore this lasting impact, the play “What You Are Now” will debut in Lowell, Massachusetts, a city with the second-largest Cambodian population in the US

The story centers around a Cambodian American family with remnants of generational trauma from the Pol Pot regime. The main character, Pia, a neuroscientist, tries to help her mother heal and reconnect with her. The play is a reflection of family bonds, trauma, and recovery, and it is described as an American family story relatable to many immigrant families.

The production will be staged by Merrimack Repertory Theater at the Lowell Auditorium from April 23 to May 11. The cast appreciates the strong support from Lowell’s diverse community, which helps bring often underrepresented Cambodian voices to the stage.

*Read the full article here.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Ban on Harvard's International Students

A federal judge has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, preserving the current visa status quo. The decision follows the administration’s sudden move to decertify Harvard from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, citing claims of an unsafe campus and anti-American activity. 

The Department of Homeland Security gave Harvard 30 days to contest the decision, prompting the university to file a lawsuit and receive temporary relief. This legal battle stems from broader tensions between Harvard and the federal government over accusations of noncompliance with civil and academic standards.

List Your Event for Free With Asian Heritage Week 2025! 🇨🇦🔊

To mark Asian Heritage Week’s second year, we are excited to announce our return to Canada across two cities: Vancouver and Toronto.

Asian Heritage Week (AHW) is an annual celebration that amplifies your events through our network, embracing and honoring the cultural heritage of Asian communities.

To unfold the beauty and creativity of the Asian community, we would love for event hosts to join us on this journey through two beautiful cities:

• Vancouver | Jun 2 - Jun 8

• Toronto | Jun 9 - Jun 11

WEEKLY SNAPSHOTS 🧠

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ❔

MYSTERY SOLVED 🔍

✅  True — Burning paper phones and fancy stuff for ancestors is basically the OG version of “ghost Wi-Fi” and luxury shopping from beyond the grave.

✅  True — Three generations under one roof is the ultimate reality show — and yes, Grandma’s got front-row seats to your eating habits (brace yourself).

❌ Lie — As much as we love karaoke, not every Asian fam wakes up singing Celine Dion to honor ancestors… but hey, that would be one epic morning ritual!

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