In Canada, May is dedicated to Asian Heritage Month. Throughout May, there will be various digital events taking place to give people the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian and South Asian descent.
In honour of Asian Heritage Month, TIFF – a charitable cultural organization that presents the best of international and Canadian cinema (also home to the annual Toronto International Film Festival) – is running a month-long program called Asia Unbound, which will highlight and celebrate some of the best of Asian cinema. Throughout May, TIFF will offer digital film screenings and digital events, featuring well-known talent from the diaspora, emerging artists, and renowned auteurs from the Asian continent. Through the power of film and authentic storytelling, Asia Unbound aims to “expose the joys, fears, vulnerability, and in-betweenness that underscore Asian identity in today’s world“.
One of the digital event screenings includes In Conversation with… Sandra Oh hosted live on May 3rd at 7pm EST via TIFF’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels. The Korean Canadian actress has had a successful career playing memorable characters in hit television shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve, along with starring roles in films like Mina Shum’s Double Happiness, Don McKellar’s Last Night, and Alexander Payne’s Sideways. Sandra will join Asia Unbound to discuss her career, the issues surrounding the lack of diversity on film sets, and why it’s crucial to address anti-Asian hate and racism in everyday life.
To purchase tickets for the digital film screenings and events, visit the the TIFF digital Bell Lightbox. Storied has also outlined some of the incredible TIFF screenings and events available this month.
Mogul Mowgli
Director: Bassam Tariq
UK, 2020
A British Pakistani rapper is about to go on his first world tour, but is thrown various obstacles along the way after being diagnosed with an illness.
A special screening available on May 20 for one night only via the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox. Tickets for this digital screening will go on sale May 12 at 10am, until May 20 at 11pm EST and viewers will have 24 hours to watch it from the comfort of their own home.
Ramen Shop
Director: Eric Khoo
France, Japan, Singapore, 2018
Following the sudden death of his father, a young ramen chef, Masato (Takumi Saito), embarks on a culinary journey from Japan to his late mother’s home country, Singapore. This is a story about reconnecting with one’s past and uncovering more than family secrets and recipes.
Eve and the Fire House
Director: Julia Kwan
Canada, 2005
Julia Kwan makes her feature debut as a writer-director with a film that examines first-generation immigrant life in Canada. The film follows young sisters Eve (Phoebe Jojo Kut) and Karena (Hollie Lo) who develop a keen interest in religion, and begin to examine Buddhism and Catholicism.
Spa Night
Director: Andrew Ahn
USA, 2016
A closeted Korean-American teenager, takes a job at a spa to support his struggling family. The experiences at his new job allows him to discover his own sexuality.
Visit www.tiff.net for more information.
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