In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 2024, public libraries and schools have a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted stories within the AAPI community through cinema. These films highlight contemporary and historical experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that will resonate with patrons and students of all backgrounds. Documentaries, in particular, serve as raw, intellectually-stimulating vehicles for showcasing personal narratives, historical events, and social issues that have shaped the AAPI community.
This list of recommended films provides a valuable resource for educational settings and community events. Whether you're looking to start meaningful discussions about racial identity or simply enjoy fascinating true stories, these films are ideal for enriching your AAPI Heritage Month film collections or classroom lessons.
By highlighting voices that have been historically underrepresented or marginalized, these films contribute to a more inclusive and accurate representation of Asian and Pacific Islander past and present.
New Day Films
First To Go: Story of the Kataoka Family
Directed by Myles Matsuno | United States | 2021 | 21 mins
First to Go: Story of the Kataoka Family is a personal family narrative about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Ichiro Kataoka's daughter shares the story of her father, the first Japanese person arrested by the FBI in San Francisco after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Initially intended as a keepsake for the director's family, the project evolved into a film that gained wider interest and was ultimately shared with a broader audience. The heartfelt documentary is not only informative but also shows that hope can come from dark places.
Learn more about First To Go: Story of the Kataoka Family on the Video Librarian Marketplace.
Film Movement
Children of the Mist
Directed by Ha Le Diem | United States | 2023 | 92 mins
The women's studies documentary Children of the Mist deftly explores the conflict between religious tradition and personal agency. Ma Thi Di, a 12-year-old Hmong girl living in the mountainous northwest region of Vietnam, navigates the demands of modern education and the ancient traditions of her indigenous community. Despite being a dedicated student with aspirations for college, Di faces a significant obstacle shared by many Hmong girls: the traditional practice of "bride kidnapping," viewed by conservative community members as a form of matchmaking. On the night of the lunar new year, Di is kidnapped by a classmate intending to marry her with his family's support. Our reviewer J. Zimmerman writes, "There are moments of beauty and visceral horror to be found in Children of the Mist."
Read our review of Children of the Mist
Waking the Green Tiger
Directed by Gary Marcuse | United States | 2011 | 78 mins
Waking the Green Tiger: A Green Movement Rises in China explores the complex environmental challenges facing China and the emerging grassroots activism tackling them. The educational documentary centers on opposition to 21 proposed dams in Yunnan Province, a region renowned for its biodiversity and traditional farming practices. These dams pose a threat to over half of China's plant and animal species, as well as the livelihoods of thousands of local farmers.
Waking the Green Tiger features perspectives from Qu Geping, China's former director of environmental protection, alongside activists, journalists, and farmers, offering a rare look at China's environmental struggles. By following grassroots activists' efforts, the educational documentary captures the fierce determination driving the green movement in China.
Read our review of Waking the Green Tiger
To continue celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, dive into this list of five more exceptional titles that amplify AAPI voices both on and off screen.