New film reflects rising visibility of Asians in US

In Michelle Yeoh's words, Everything Everywhere All at Once is "a crazy movie. It's big, it's fun, it's exciting and it's colorful." What she didn't mention is that it also is a touching story that roots for love, despite its nihilistic philosophical approach, with hilarious twists.

Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert－collectively known as the Daniels－the multiverse sci-fi film opened on Friday night at the South by Southwest Conference & Festival, or SXSW, a music, film and interactive media showcase, in Austin, Texas. It tells the story of a mother from a Chinese immigrant family who, after exploring other universes while trying to defeat evil and save her daughter and family, finds new insight for life and eventually wins with love.

SXSW includes offline events this year for the first time since 2019.The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year it was held online only.

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a US film that features a predominantly Asian cast, following the success of Crazy Rich Asians in 2018 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021. Yeoh appeared in all three films.

The actress said she hopes to see more such films made in the US.

"We all have stories that need to be told," Yeoh said at the premiere, responding to a question from China Daily while addressing the media during an appearance by the movie's cast and directors. "It is very different from diversity and representation just being lip service. You don't want it to be just stereotypical stories we see too many of. I hope that filmmakers show us and give us proper respect and show it in the proper light."

She said all immigrant families should be able to relate to her new movie.

"It's about the disparity, the dysfunction of the family with your daughter and child, because this generation doesn't understand that generation. There are many points here."

Actor Ke Huy Quan, who plays the husband of Yeoh's character, said the rising visibility of Asian Americans onscreen is one reason he returned to acting after 20 years. Quan is best known for playing Harrison Ford's sidekick Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He said he stopped acting 20 years ago because few roles were available for Asian Americans.

He said Crazy Rich Asians "got me to think about acting again. Never in a million years did I think I'd land this role. If you ask me would I (rather) win a lottery or this role, I'd tell you without a doubt I want this. It's a dream come true."

Quan said he noticed that there are a lot more Asian actors working in feature films' primary roles. "What's happening in the last few years with Asian representation is really inspiring, and I am very optimistic about it."

Co-director Kwan called the movie "an indie film with blockbuster ambitions," and said he wants to put more Asians on the big screen.

"My parents immigrated here before I was born, so it's very easy for us to imagine how we write this," Kwan said.

However, the movie's theme is universal, said co-director Scheinert, and "multiverse is a fun concept".

The movie was warmly received on Friday. One audience member told the cast that he found the film "incredibly insane and fun" and will watch it again. Another said, "I cried, I laughed a lot" because the movie "transcends generational trauma" and turns "such a painful thing into such a beautiful story".

The directors credited the cast and crew for the movie's success, especially with actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Yeoh on the team.

Curtis said she accepted the role purely because she "got to act opposite Michelle Yeoh, all my part is with her", and she called Yeoh "a goddess".

Yeoh said Curtis empowered her "to be fearless to do crazy things. The two of us had a really good time."