Weve all heard ofBruce Lee, or if you mightve learned aboutAnna May WongfromRyan MurphysHollywood.
Produced by filmmaker and Oscar nominee Renee Tajima-Pena (Who Killed Vincent Chin?
It is made in collaboration with WETA, Center for Asian American Media, and more.
David Bukach/ABC
I want to define my culture and I’m gonna do it myself, Tajima-Pena tells EW.
We didn’t just look at people who were celebrities.
Beyond entertainment, of course, the docuseries explores Asian Americans impact on all areas of society.
David Bukach/ABC
Ark is the reason her own parents have U.S. citizenship, Tajima-Pena says.
That’s the takeaway after going through producing all five episodes, is all those fights are our fight.
It’s not just what happens to Asian Americans, the filmmaker adds.
In terms of contributions, at all these tipping points, Asian Americans have stood up and showed up.
FromCrazy Rich Asians,The Farewell, toMindy KalingsNever Have I Ever, she cherishes them all.
You look in the screen like looking in the mirror and nothing is staring back.
I mean, it’s really being invisible, she says.
There would be noAwkwafinaorAli Wong, she says, without the giants of yesteryear.
Thats whats really meaningful.
The fun part of the series.
Its like yesterday, today, and the future.
Asian Americanswill premiere episodes 1 and 2 on PBS at 8 p.m.
ET on Monday, while episodes 3-5 will air Tuesday beginning at 8 p.m ET.
