Tag Archives: Immigrant

Past Lives (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Scenes from an “In-yun”

Posted on October 25, 2023 by kaist455

Good human drama films can not only interest but also energize me sometimes, and Celine Song’s remarkable debut feature film “Past Lives” is one of such fantastic examples. When I watched it, I was not so sure about whether I … Continue reading →

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Free Chol Soo Lee (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The injustice upon one Korean immigrant

Posted on October 22, 2023 by kaist455

Documentary film “Free Chol Soo Lee” presents the harrowing real-life story of Chol Soo Lee, a Korean American immigrant who was wrongfully accused of the murder he did not commit and then was unjustly incarcerated for that. It is touching … Continue reading →

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Bad Axe (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An Asian Immigrant family in the time of COVID-19

Posted on September 3, 2023 by kaist455

Documentary film “Bad Axe” presents an intimate personal portrayal of one Asian immigrant family struggling to live and run their little business during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is heartening to see how this family strenuously stick together for enduring … Continue reading →

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Elemental (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): An elemental romance of fire and water

Posted on June 15, 2023 by kaist455

Latest Pixar Animation Studios film “Elemental” is an elemental but engaging romance story with enough fun and charming stuffs to enjoy. I wish the film had some more time to explore more of the mood and details of its amusing … Continue reading →

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Tori and Lokita (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A grim refugee thriller from the Dardenne brothers

Posted on May 14, 2023 by kaist455

The Dardenne brothers’ latest film “Tori and Lokita”, which received the special 75th Anniversary Award when it was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival early in last year, is another solid social drama to distinguish their long and admirable filmmaking … Continue reading →

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The Harvest (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A Hmong family with issues

Posted on April 28, 2023 by kaist455

Caylee So’s “The Harvest” is another recent American independent film intended as a modest but realistic slice of Asian American immigrant life. Although it is a bit too generic in terms of story and character, the movie mostly works as … Continue reading →

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Riceboy Sleeps (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A Korean immigrant mother and her son

Posted on April 23, 2023 by kaist455

“Riceboy Sleeps”, which won the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in last year, is a simple but sensitive drama about a Korean immigrant mother and her son. Calmly and thoughtfully following their little personal … Continue reading →

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Nanny (2022) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A nanny under the influence

Posted on January 12, 2023 by kaist455

“Nanny”, which was released on Amazon Prime in last month, is an uneven mix of immigrant drama and horror. Although it is held together fairly well thanks to its competent direction as well as the good lead performance at its … Continue reading →

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Rise (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A wholesome family sports drama

Posted on June 27, 2022 by kaist455

“Rise”, which was released on Disney+ on last Friday, is a wholesome family sports drama based on the inspiring true story of one Nigerian immigrant family. While it is often quite predictable in many aspects, the movie is balanced well … Continue reading →

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Flee (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A simple but extraordinary animated documentary film

Posted on December 20, 2021 by kaist455

“Flee”, which was recently selected as the Danish entry to Best International Film Oscar, is a simple but extraordinary animated documentary film. As sensitively and thoughtfully examining one real-life Afghan immigrant’s past which has been suppressed at the corner of … Continue reading →

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