Films & Events

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Description

Join us at The Nick as we proudly celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an enriching film series showcasing the diverse voices and stories of the AAPI community. Thanks to sponsor SC Commission for Minority Affairs, tickets for all AAPI Month films are $5.

About the films:

  • Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. This semi-autobiographical film, released in 2020, follows a South Korean immigrant family as they navigate life in rural Arkansas during the 1980s, featuring stellar performances by Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh-jung.
  • Everything Everywhere All At Once, directed by Kwan and Scheinert. Released in 2022, this film explores the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
  • The Lunchbox, a heartwarming drama directed by Ritesh Batra. This 2013 film tells the story of an unexpected connection formed through a mistaken lunch delivery in Mumbai, starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur.
  • Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro. This beloved 2002 film transports us to New Zealand, where we follow the journey of a young Maori girl named Pai as she defies tradition and discovers her destiny.

Join us throughout the month as we honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the AAPI community through these captivating and thought-provoking films. Tickets are available now at The Nick, where we celebrate diversity and storytelling in cinema.

Schedule

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May 07

Minari

Explore the American dream through the lens of a South Korean immigrant family in Minari, the acclaimed 2020 drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Starring Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton, this semi-autobiographical tale follows the struggles and triumphs of a family as they navigate life in rural Arkansas during the 1980s.

Premiering at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, Minari captivated audiences and critics alike, earning both the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award. The film's authentic portrayal of immigrant experiences, coupled with Chung's masterful direction and screenplay, garnered widespread acclaim.

At the 93rd Academy Awards, Minari received six nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, with Youn Yuh-jung winning the Best Supporting Actress award, a historic moment for Korean cinema. The film's emotional depth, powerful performances, and poignant score have solidified its place as one of the best films of the 2020s.

Showtimes and Tickets
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May 14

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Premiering to rave reviews at South by Southwest, Everything Everywhere All at Once earned its place as A24's highest-grossing film, grossing $143.4 million worldwide. It swept the awards season, winning seven Academy Awards out of eleven nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay for Kwan and Scheinert, and acting honors for Yeoh and Quan. The film also took home two Golden Globe Awards, five Critics' Choice Awards, and a BAFTA Award, among others.
With her laundromat teetering on the brink of failure and her marriage to wimpy husband Waymond on the rocks, overworked Evelyn Wang struggles to cope with everything, including tattered relationships with her judgmental father Gong Gong and her daughter Joy. She must also brace herself for an unpleasant meeting with an impersonal bureaucrat: Deirdre, the shabbily-dressed IRS auditor. However, as the stern agent loses patience, an inexplicable multiverse rift becomes an eye-opening exploration of parallel realities. Will Evelyn jump down the rabbit hole? How many stars are in the universe? Can weary Evelyn fathom the irrepressible force of possibilities, tap into newfound powers, and prevent an evil entity from destroying the thin, countless layers of the unseen world?
Showtimes and Tickets
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May 21

The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox is a 2013 drama film directed by Ritesh Batra that delves into the unexpected connection between two individuals brought together by a mistaken lunch delivery. Starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the film explores themes of loneliness, connection, and the power of human relationships.

It gained critical acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and compelling performances. Screened at the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, The Lunchbox offers a poignant and relatable tale that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Showtimes and Tickets
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May 28

Whale Rider

Join us at The Nick for a screening of Whale Rider, a compelling New Zealand drama directed by Niki Caro. Based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera, the film follows Kahu Paikea Apirana, a twelve-year-old Māori girl who challenges tradition by aspiring to become the chief of her tribe, despite her grandfather's beliefs.

Shot on location in Whangara, where the novel is set, the film garnered critical acclaim upon its release and features a standout performance by Keisha Castle-Hughes, who made history as the youngest nominee for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

This acclaimed film has been honored with numerous international awards, including the AGF Peoples Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2002 and the World Cinema Audience award at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2003. Additionally, it received the prestigious Canal Plus Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival in January 2003. Don't miss this moving portrayal of tradition, ambition, and resilience.

Showtimes and Tickets