In 2020, Asian Americans have faced a double pandemic of COVID-19 and anti-Asian racism. This was a critical time to raise our voices. The tragic killings in Atlanta came after a year of increased violence against the Asian American community, fueled by racist and xenophobic political rhetoric. While we’ve seen the rise of anti-Asian racism, we’ve also seen the rise of solidarity efforts within Asian American communities, with Asian-Black solidarity movements, and with other BIPOC communities. In 2021 we were still emerging from the pandemic, finding ways to support our families, rebuild our lives, get vaccinated, and deal with the grief, pain and anger this has brought, as well as moments of joy, resilience, and hope. With these themes in mind, A-Doc, with support from WORLD Channel and CAAM, commissioned a new series of microdocs and shorts for 2021.
As Asian American non-fiction storytellers, we have a unique perspective on these issues, and now was the time to amplify our voices. By leaning into our strengths as documentarians of the Asian diaspora, we wanted to record perspectives that can disrupt mainstream narratives about our communities. We believed that these short-form stories can contribute to much-needed representations of our communities during that critical moment as well as serve as a time capsule for future generations.
By: Neha Aziz
KEEPING IT CREATIVE
Directed by: Corinne Manabat Cueva
Cesar Cueva, is an essential worker at a print/shipping center who draws a weekly comic about his life, called “Buhay” which means life in Tagalog, to stay creative and to share his point of view and experiences that brings humor, joy, and community on social media.
PEOPLE UNITE!
Directed by: Ash Goh Hua
In the face of AAPI violence, an intergenerational coalition of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, People of Color organizers come together to organize a march across historic Washington Heights and Harlem, as a continuation of the historic and radical Black and Asian solidarity tradition.
NEW TOUCHES
Directed by: Joyce Keokham
A couple reflects fondly of their time together in lockdown in this short video poem.
THE ESSENTIAL WORKER
Directed by:Prerana Thakurdesai
IRANIAN HILLBILLY
Directed by: Andy Sarjahani
The son of a Shiite Muslim Iranian immigrant and Southern Baptist from Alabama explores his dual identities, attempting to build understanding across vast divides.
TURBULENCE
Directed by: Mahesh Pailoor
Luis Sinco, a Filipino American Pulitzer Prize finalist and staff photographer for the LA Times, seeks his subjects at the margins of society and reflects on a turbulent year in Los Angeles.
SEEDS OF HOPE
Directed by: Devon Cupery
A passionate Hmong community leader addresses the shifting needs of refugee families while planting seeds for a hopeful future.
MIDDLE GROUND
Directed by: Jing Feng
Caught in between her native China & her adopted home in the US, director Jing Feng is determined to find a place in the middle where she can belong.
PLANTING RESILIENCE
Directed by: Anula Shetty
In a climate of violence against Asian Americans, a young Cambodian-American activist shares her passion for Khmer dance as a symbol of resistance and resilience.
SERVICE BEFORE SELF
Directed by: Priyanka Suryaneni
After losing his restaurant during the pandemic, Rajinder Singh finds new life and livelihood by starting a food truck to serve those in need.
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