Visual Storytelling 🎞️

Hi, how was your week?

When it’s Cannes season each year, we’re blessed with more movies that only niche film gurus are familiar with. But that’s the beauty of hidden gems—a glimpse into the diverse Asian cinema multiverse allows us to appreciate the nuanced experiences and talents within our community.

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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!

This week, we're sharing our top picks from under-the-radar film industries. We may have been familiar with K-drama, anime, or Bollywood, but that doesn’t negate the fact that talents are everywhere and gems are meant to be discovered, celebrated, and cherished. 

🎞️ Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll (2014)

Director: John Pirozzi
Genre: Documentary

Even though it has been 47 years since the Pol Pot regime, its aftermath still lingers today. In a radical attempt to eradicate creativity and artistry, Cambodia’s prolific rock scene of the 1960s–1970s was completely wiped off the world map, with many artists tortured and murdered. 

The movie recounts the survivors’ stories, the once-prolific Cambodian rock music, and the beauty of modern Cambodians in healing, persevering, and preserving. The tender voice of Sinn Sisamouth that melted every lady’s heart, and the edgy, powerful voice of Ros Serey Sothea—both silenced too soon, yet their legacy still echoes through time.

🎞️ Manila in the Claws of Light (1975)

Director: Lino Brocka
Genre: Drama/Mystery

For many, the story of leaving a small village for a bigger city in search of opportunity is all too familiar. Manila in the Claws of Light is a Filipino drama mystery movie about a couple struggling with urban life in the bustling Manila. 

It tells the story of Júlio Madiaga, a young man from the province of Marinduque who arrives in Manila on a mission to find his lover, Ligaya. As he searches for her, he must also survive the harsh realities of the capital—facing challenges like crime, poverty, and prostitution. The movie is widely praised locally and internationally, considered “the greatest Philippine film of all time.”

WORD OF THE WEEK 🗞️

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. 😁

Box Office Boom: A Bright Future for Vietnam’s Film Industry 🎥

Vietnam’s cinema industry is booming in 2025, with positive signs from the very start. In just the first two months of the year, four Vietnamese movies have surpassed 100 billion VND (over US$3.9 million) in revenue. Films like Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ (The Big 4) crossed 331 billion VND (~US$12.95 million), and Nhà Gia Tiên (The Ancestral House) also achieved impressive earnings of 114 billion VND (~US$4.46 million).

These successes show a growing audience willing to support local films, signaling a stronger domestic market. Notably, movies like Đèn Âm Hồn (The Soul Lantern), directed by a newcomer without famous stars, also broke the 100 billion VND (~US$4 million) mark, proving that fresh content and smart marketing can win big. With rising living standards and increasing entertainment demand, Vietnamese cinema is set for a bright future, attracting more investments and encouraging filmmakers to create bold, high-quality works that resonate with viewers.

Daniel Dae Kim Makes Tony Awards History with Groundbreaking Nomination ✨

Daniel Dae Kim has become the first Asian actor ever nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Play at the Tony Awards, for his role in David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face. This marks a full-circle moment, as Kim’s first-ever monologue was from Hwang’s FOB. 

A longtime advocate for Asian representation, Kim sees the nomination as a milestone not just for himself but for the entire community. Despite the honor, he notes it’s “a little sad” that such recognition has taken this long.

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

Model Majority American History Comedy Show

WEEKLY SNAPSHOTS 🧠

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ❔

MYSTERY SOLVED 🔍

❌ Lie – Yes, Indian horror may be scary, but fortunately, no actor became a monk because of a cursed Bollywood movie. 

✅ True – In the late 1970s, Kim Jong-il kidnapped South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee to make propaganda films. They escaped in 1986.

✅ True – Before every film in Thailand, the theater stands for the royal anthem honoring the King.

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