UC Berkeley Library

Southeast Asians & Southeast Asian Diaspora in Film

Alamo Bay (1985)

Directed by Louis Malle. Based on true events, Shang, a shrimper and a veteran of the Vietnam War, like many of his friends, feels bitter resentment towards the refugees who have settled in the Gulfs' port towns and threaten their livelihood. Shang's mistress, Glory, is a courageous woman who must choose between the rights of those who have fled a warring land and her love for Shang. 99 min.

American Adobo (2001)

Director, Laurice Guillen. Cast: Christopher de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, Ricky Davao, Cherry Pie Picache, Paolo Montalban, Randy Becker, Keesha Sharp, Gloria Romero. A story of five filipino American friends living in New York City, conflicted with their life choices and destinies, as they party away - sharing laughs, secrets, recipes and romance. An uniquely American story about what it means to be an immigrant in a land where it seems everyone is searching for an identity. 103 min.

Anna and the King (1999)

Director, Laurice Guillen. Cast: Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-fat, Bai Ling. English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens has traveled to Siam to educate the fifty eight children of King Mongkut. Each has preconceived ideas about the other's world. Amid the danger of political unrest, their growing respect for each other turns into romance. Special features: Commentary by Andy Tennant, five featurettes, television special, six deleted scenes, theatrical trailer, music video "How can I not love you" by Joy Enriquez, interactive menus, scene selection. 147 min.

Bastards (1996)

Directed by Loc Do. Cast: Tuan Tran, Christopher Lance, Christopher Dalton, Tom Lui, Hiep Thi Le. Escaping Vietnam Tony and Tien, two Amerasian brothers abandoned by their American father, arrive in California to search for a better life. As Tien searches for his father, Tony embittered by the "American dream," takes refuge in a local gang of Amerasian kids and enters an underground world of drugs and crime in Little Saigon. Bonded by a similar past, this misfit gang ignites a new passion in Tony's life. 98 min.

Dumbarton Bridge (1999)

Directed by Charles Koppelman. Cast: Tom Wright, Esperanza Catubig, Daphne Ashbrook. John Shed leads a withdrawn and solitary life in a small town south of San Francisco where he works on the salt ponds. He takes little pleasure in life and rarely ventures out with his white live-in girlfriend Belinda. When Minh, Shed's half-Vietnamese daughter arrives, he reacts with callous disregard for her welfare. Belinda invites Minh to live with them. Shed's bitterness and heavy drinking prompt Belinda to move out.

Giving Care (2008)

Directed by Clarissa de los Reyes. Cast: Banaue Miclat, Arthur Acu•241;a, Roger Batasta. In this short drama an undocumented caregiver must choose between going home to the Phillipines to attend her father's funeral or continue in her role as the one that everyone depends on. 11 min.

Gran Torino (2008)

Directed by Clint Eastwood. Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, Brian Haley, Geraldine Hughes, Dreama Walker, Brian Howe, John Carroll Lynch, William Hill. Walt Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. He is a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor, Thao, a young Hmong teenager, becomes pressured by his gang member cousin to steal Walt's Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth.

Journey from the Fall (2006)

Directed by Ham Tran. Cast: Kieu Chinh, Long Nguyen, Diem Lien, Jayvee Mai The Hiep, Khanh Doan, Cat Ly, Nguyen Thai Nguyen. Despite his allegiance to the toppled South Vietnamese government, Long Nguyen decides to remain in Vietnam. Imprisoned in a Communist re-education camp, he urges his family to make the escape by boat without him. His wife, son, and mother embark on the arduous ocean voyage in the hope of reaching the U.S. and freedom. Based on the true stories of Vietnamese refugees who fled after the fall of Saigon, April 30, 1975, and on the Vietnamese who stayed behind. 135 min.

Lolo's Child (2003)

Directed by Promeo Candido. Lolo's Child is the award-winning feature directorial debut of Filipino-Canadian Romeo Candido, who also stars and composes the film's soundtrack. Cast: Romeo Candido, Jayson Ray Camat, Stephanie Comilang, Caesar Fajardo. Lolo's Child is the award-winning feature directorial debut of Filipino-Canadian Romeo Candido, who also stars and composes the film's soundtrack. Inspired by his father's death Junior embarks on composing the soundtrack to his life.

Lumpia (2003)

Directed by Patricio Ginelsa, Jr. Cast: Carlos Baon, Francis Custodio, Edward Baon, Elizabeth Mendoza, Dennis Custodio. Takes you back to the late-90's when tension is at an all-time high in Fogtown High School. James and his misfit pack of friends become the targets of ridicule for the CREW, a bunch of thugs who have invented a new fad of (gulp!) F.O.B. bashing! But only one hero stands in their way... a silent avenger who delivers justice one deep-fried lumpia at a time!

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