by Jeff Yang
First published 2023
Jeff Yang examines how Asian Americans transformed Hollywood cinema over three decades. The book opens with the 2018 success of Crazy Rich Asians, which sparked studios to greenlight more Asian-centered projects. Yang then traces back to earlier films like The Joy Luck Club in 1993 that established the foundation for this moment. He analyzes the business and cultural factors behind each film's reception. The author includes interviews with prominent figures including Simu Liu, Lulu Wang, Daniel Dae Kim, Janet Yang, Ronny Chieng, Alice Wu, and Ken Jeong. These conversations reveal how earlier movies inspired current filmmakers and how today's stars mentor emerging creators. Yang incorporates over 100 photographs alongside original artwork from nine Asian illustrators. The book documents both the struggle for representation and the recent expansion of opportunities for Asian American actors, directors, and producers in an evolving industry.
Genres: biography, business, non-fiction, film, asian-american
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, mentor-mentee
Period: 1993, 2018
304 pages · Hardcover · Black Dog & Leventhal