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https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2017/09/22/a-grrreat-time-with-the-tiger-hunter/
I’ve been waiting for over a year to say this since I first saw it at the LA Asian Film Festival last May:
The Tiger Hunter is one of the most delightful comedies I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s also one of the best films about the Asian immigrant experience, one that doesn’t mock or ridicule the immigrants but rather honors them for the sacrifices they made to achieve the American dream. These are some mighty high praises and now expectations but I’ll go into detail why this charming indie film starring Danny Pudi and Karen David deserves your attention after a brief synopsis of what this film is all about:
Set in the 1970s, The Tiger Hunter is the story of Sami Malik, a young Indian man who travels to America to become an engineer in order to impress his childhood crush and live up to the legacy of his father — a legendary tiger hunter — back home. When Sami’s job falls through, he takes a low-end job and joins with a gang of oddball friends in hopes of convincing his childhood sweetheart that he’s far more successful than he truly is… or perhaps ever could be.
A timely and topical comedy that captures a young immigrant’s pursuit for success, love and the American dream with humor and heart, The Tiger Hunter is a charming comedy bolstered by vibrant storytelling and an endearing comic spirit.
For starters, it is a sheer joy to see Danny Pudi take the center stage as a romantic leading man and similar to another film about a South Asian with Kumail Nunjani in The Big Sick, it shows the untapped range these South Asian comedic actors can show when given the chance to truly shine. And shine Pudi does as he effortlessly anchors the film with his unwavering positive charm and earnestness.
But the main lead can’t hold the film all by himself and it is here the surrounding cast does a tremendous job in holding their own weight from Rizwan Manji as the bumbling yet loveable Babu, Jon Heder as Alex Womack, a slacker yet supportive best friend, and Karen David as the absolutely radiant Ruby, who takes command of the scenes that she is present in. Special note must be given that it is refreshing to see the “best friend role” be not a person of color but be played by the white person instead and for a romantic film that has an Asian man/woman as the lead, the romantic interest is NOT a white individual.
The set design, costumes, and cinematography all deserve a mention as they are done so well that they might as well be characters for this film. Each three aspects are so fully realized in such a vibrant manner that one can describe this film as Lena Khan’s homage to Wes Anderson films while still making her own unique stamp on it. As such, serious kudos to the cinematographer Patrice Lucien Cochet, production designer Michael Fitzgerald, and costume designer Justine Seymour.
Humor is abundant throughout the film and the jokes never feel forced as it comes organically. There was rarely a groan or dud moment that I experienced as the most important aspect this film has in spades is that it has heart. A beating, compassionate heart that reverberates throughout the film from the opening scene to the credits.
Though I can nitpick a few aspects about it such as the opening being a tad rough in execution and Jon Heder’s character being a bit too conveniently helpful in certain crucial moments (hello magical cracker), these are very minor things that did not get in the way of my enjoyment of this film. It is, like the synopsis said earlier, a film that is rather timely as the topic of immigration has become a battlefield of sorts for many here in America.
The Tiger Hunter achieves a rare balance of being a film that is both so focused about the lives of South Asian immigrants and at the same time, a film that has such heartfelt and hilarious writing accessible to all types of folks. It is a film that portrays a side of humanity so uncommonly seen in the Hollywood landscape and done so well because it lets its characters breathe with ease, without a concern in the world that it needs to prove itself against stereotypes holding it back or any demand to fulfill a thesis statement about its need to exist in the first place are you still reading this I don’t even know what I’m writing (something about why most Asian American films are bad??) because HOW CAN I NOT THIS MOVIE IS SO GOOD I CRY WITH HAPPINESS EVERY TIME.
Ahem.
If you get a chance to watch this film this weekend (and I truly hope you do), do give them a shoutout at their Twitter handle @TigerHunterFilm as well as follow them on their Facebook page and holler at them there too.
To conclude this review, my fellow writer Josephine Chang and I held a podcast interview with the director Lena Khan herself, which you can check out below. Precaution: We may come off as crazy fangirl/boy squirrels in this as you can easily tell we are very excited about our guest:
All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit “play,” and check this. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play!
As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.
I’ve been waiting for over a year to say this since I first saw it at the LA Asian Film Festival last May:
The Tiger Hunter is one of the most delightful comedies I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s also one of the best films about the Asian immigrant experience, one that doesn’t mock or ridicule the immigrants but rather honors them for the sacrifices they made to achieve the American dream. These are some mighty high praises and now expectations but I’ll go into detail why this charming indie film starring Danny Pudi and Karen David deserves your attention after a brief synopsis of what this film is all about:
Set in the 1970s, The Tiger Hunter is the story of Sami Malik, a young Indian man who travels to America to become an engineer in order to impress his childhood crush and live up to the legacy of his father — a legendary tiger hunter — back home. When Sami’s job falls through, he takes a low-end job and joins with a gang of oddball friends in hopes of convincing his childhood sweetheart that he’s far more successful than he truly is… or perhaps ever could be.
A timely and topical comedy that captures a young immigrant’s pursuit for success, love and the American dream with humor and heart, The Tiger Hunter is a charming comedy bolstered by vibrant storytelling and an endearing comic spirit.
For starters, it is a sheer joy to see Danny Pudi take the center stage as a romantic leading man and similar to another film about a South Asian with Kumail Nunjani in The Big Sick, it shows the untapped range these South Asian comedic actors can show when given the chance to truly shine. And shine Pudi does as he effortlessly anchors the film with his unwavering positive charm and earnestness.
But the main lead can’t hold the film all by himself and it is here the surrounding cast does a tremendous job in holding their own weight from Rizwan Manji as the bumbling yet loveable Babu, Jon Heder as Alex Womack, a slacker yet supportive best friend, and Karen David as the absolutely radiant Ruby, who takes command of the scenes that she is present in. Special note must be given that it is refreshing to see the “best friend role” be not a person of color but be played by the white person instead and for a romantic film that has an Asian man/woman as the lead, the romantic interest is NOT a white individual.
The set design, costumes, and cinematography all deserve a mention as they are done so well that they might as well be characters for this film. Each three aspects are so fully realized in such a vibrant manner that one can describe this film as Lena Khan’s homage to Wes Anderson films while still making her own unique stamp on it. As such, serious kudos to the cinematographer Patrice Lucien Cochet, production designer Michael Fitzgerald, and costume designer Justine Seymour.
Humor is abundant throughout the film and the jokes never feel forced as it comes organically. There was rarely a groan or dud moment that I experienced as the most important aspect this film has in spades is that it has heart. A beating, compassionate heart that reverberates throughout the film from the opening scene to the credits.
Though I can nitpick a few aspects about it such as the opening being a tad rough in execution and Jon Heder’s character being a bit too conveniently helpful in certain crucial moments (hello magical cracker), these are very minor things that did not get in the way of my enjoyment of this film. It is, like the synopsis said earlier, a film that is rather timely as the topic of immigration has become a battlefield of sorts for many here in America.
The Tiger Hunter achieves a rare balance of being a film that is both so focused about the lives of South Asian immigrants and at the same time, a film that has such heartfelt and hilarious writing accessible to all types of folks. It is a film that portrays a side of humanity so uncommonly seen in the Hollywood landscape and done so well because it lets its characters breathe with ease, without a concern in the world that it needs to prove itself against stereotypes holding it back or any demand to fulfill a thesis statement about its need to exist in the first place are you still reading this I don’t even know what I’m writing (something about why most Asian American films are bad??) because HOW CAN I NOT THIS MOVIE IS SO GOOD I CRY WITH HAPPINESS EVERY TIME.
Ahem.
If you get a chance to watch this film this weekend (and I truly hope you do), do give them a shoutout at their Twitter handle @TigerHunterFilm as well as follow them on their Facebook page and holler at them there too.
To conclude this review, my fellow writer Josephine Chang and I held a podcast interview with the director Lena Khan herself, which you can check out below. Precaution: We may come off as crazy fangirl/boy squirrels in this as you can easily tell we are very excited about our guest:
All this and more on Hard NOC Life! Watch it on your screen, hit “play,” and check this. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play!
As always, our official theme music is brought to you by the super team of Adam WarRock and Chops.
Back in August, I had the opportunity to take a second trip to Barbados and experience the Crop Over Festival for the first time—and what an experience it was! I fell in love with soca, explored the wonder of Harrison’s Cave, got a taste of “the rum that invented rum,” and jumped in the Grand Kadooment! Beyond that, I had the chance to chat with locals and take a tour of George Washington’s Barbadian home.
As working professionals, we all deserve an occasional break from the daily stresses of work and life. Such trips are not only relaxing but they oftentimes broaden your world perspective and present you with a creative space to come up with new, fresh ideas. Here are five reasons why I would encourage working professionals and business owners to book a trip to the amazing island of Barbados.
1. Crop Over
Grand Kadooment
Crop Over is a two-month long celebration of Bajan culture and history that runs from the beginning of June to the first Monday of August. During this time, Bajans party with their family, neighbors, and loved ones, while extending a warm invitation to foreigners who want to join in on the festivities.
“I love the people,” Jaqueline Blenman, a native of Barbados and a school teacher, told Black Enterprise during a Crop Over breakfast party. “I like that I see all my friends, and my family, and people that I don’t even know. There is no other festival like it in the world.”
Blenman also touched on the roots of Crop Over, which began as a harvest festival on sugar cane plantations in the 17th century. Back then the celebration was called “Harvest Home” and signaled the end of the yearly sugar cane harvest.
“Every plantation had a Crop Over festival. So this thing was literally islandwide,” Richard Sealy, the minister of Tourism and International Transport in the Cabinet of Barbados, told Black Enterprise in an interview. However, the festival was disbanded after World War II and then later resurrected in 1974 by the Barbados Tourist Board in effort to attract tourism and business. “When Crop Over was [relaunched], there was the Jambay Festival in Bahamas, there was Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, and there was nothing in Barbados,” explained Sealy.
Since being resurrected, Crop Over has evolved into Barbados’ biggest national festival, similar to Carnival in Brazil and Trinidad. The tradition has also become “synonymous with Barbados,” said William Griffith, the CEO at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI). “We’ve managed to grow over the past several years into a major festival of food and music and Carnival atmosphere,” he added. “What we try to do is not only promote the beauty of the island, but also the cultural aspects of the island. The original birthplace of rum. And it’s really about the persona of the island. It’s alive. It’s music, food, and top-class resorts, as well.”
The festival officially concludes with Grand Kadooment, a huge parade of masquerade bands usually held on the first Monday of August. This is a stunning spectacle of visual and aural music and dancing to the sounds of soca and calypso. This is also where Rihanna was when she broke the internet by sharing photos of her Crop Over costume.
2. History
George Washington House in Barbados is a historic house where the future first U.S. President visited in 1751 when he was 19 years old (Image: Wikimedia/Creative Commons)
Outside of the Crop Over festivities, concerts, and parties commonly referred to as fetes, I had a chance to delve into the history of Barbados, which, like all Caribbean nations, was colonized by Europeans and built on the backs of slaves. I also toured the home where George Washington resided as a teenager during his first and only trip overseas in 1751. It is said that the trip greatly expanded the future U.S. president’s worldview and helped him develop an immunity to smallpox.
The 18th century home, which has been renamed the George Washington House and preserved as a national landmark, also includes a room dedicated to the history of slavery. In the clip below, historian, former diplomat, and university lecturer Dr. Karl Watson talked about Washington’s interactions with slaves on the island while impersonating the first U.S. president
In the following clip, Watson talks about the kid-size slave chains that are now preserved as artifacts.
(Image: BE Digital Editor Selena Hill at Gun Hill Signal Station, St. George)
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to explore other historic sites like the Gun Hill Signal Station in St. George, the largest and most important military outpost in Barbados. The outpost dates back to 1697 and was recognized as one of the four points where guns were placed in order to send an alarm about an invasion.
3. Culture
In addition to its world-class beaches, Barbados is defined by its warmth, casual charm, and sophistication. According to Griffith, it has a culture and “personality of people that is second to none.” He added, “we think that we are a very friendly island, we think that we have a fantastic array of food choices of restaurants on the island, we think that we are a wonderful vacation destination for clients.” And he’s right!
The flavor of Bajan cuisine is derived from a mixture of African, Indian, Irish, Creole, and
British influences. A typical meal consists of meat or fish marinated in herbs and spices, hot side dishes, and salad, along with one or more sauces. The national dish of Barbados is Cou-Cou and Flying Fish with spicy gravy. Another local favorite is pickled pork with spiced sweet potatoes called “pudding and souse.”
The best way to wash down a Bajan meal is with a glass of Mount Gay Rum, which is recognized as the world’s oldest remaining rum company. According to locals, it’s “the rum that invented rum.”
4. A Future of Promise
(Image: Little girl at the Grand Kadooment)
Although Barbados is known as a luxury destination for mature travelers, Sealy says the island is in a period of growth and aiming to attract younger visitors. For example, a new Sandals hotel is projected to open at the end of the year. The ministry of culture “is constantly looking at what they can do with the festival and there are numerous proposals about how they can improve it. Make it larger as well. Adding events, and so on. Extending the festival.” For example, “Crop Over is attracting a younger clientele. So is the Reggae Festival and the Food and Rum Festival, which is in November,” he said.
The island also plans to introduce Uber sometime in the future in order to meet the demand and expectations of new visitors. “The Uber folks have been to Barbados. They are talking to the officials with responsibility for that sector, the ministry of transport,” Sealy confirmed. “Uber and/or Uber-type companies are going to be a reality [on the island].”
He added that local taxi drivers and companies are being taken into consideration so that they are not negatively impacted by Uber. Uber “is talking to the Ministry of Transport and Works, who has a responsibility for that sector [of local drivers]. All of those sensitivities are things that they are looking at. Uber isn’t coming here next week or next month, he said, adding, “the local taxi community will be integrated because they have to be a part of it if it’s going to happen.”
5. Support the Caribbean
(Image: Sugar Bay Barbados Beach Resort)
Barbados, like many tropical islands in the region, is economically dependent on tourism to a large degree. Tourism has also helped transform the island from a low-income agricultural economy primarily producing sugar into a high-income economy. Hence, those of us with the privilege to take an overseas vacation should consider planning a trip to the Caribbean— not only to experience the paradise that it has to offer but because these black-populated nations need tourism to survive. Especially in light of Hurricane Irma, which ripped through the Atlantic earlier this month, causing billions of dollars of destruction and completely decimating Barbuda and Anguilla.
Writer: Gabby Rivera / Artist: Art by Jen Bartel, Annie Wu, Ming Doyle, Aud Koch, Joe Quinones, Joe Rivera, Rachelle Rosenberg / Marvel
Aye, Gabby Rivera gets her world building on as America follows Madrimar and learns her family’s origins. Madrimar takes Chavez to the Ancestral Plane which serves as a cosmic photo album. We learn of the deity-like entities Senar and Berraca. Berraca is the first being to create star portals, it’s through one of these portals that she was able to find Sanar. These two powerful beings love one another and the product of their love is a giant planet. This planet (Planeta Fuertona) is where Madrimar and her daughter (Chavez’s birth mother) Amalia come from. Rivera is giving us a lot to unpack with this origin of Madrimar that also serves as an origin for Chavez.
What Chavez gets to witness is the enemy of Planeta Fuertona, La Legion. This horde of creatures was such a threat that the entire planet had to go into survival mode with an ice age. This is the event that forced Madrimar to leave and jump to the Utopian Parallel where Amalia would meet her soul mate, Elena. The fun thing about this issue and Chavez learning more about herself is that she’s so close to these projections of her mothers but still worlds away. Rivera allows Chavez to go through a range of emotions from joy at seeing her family tree, then reminders of abandonment, and anger at the discovery of how long Madrimar was watching from the shadows. Madrimar’s reasons are explained as she is tied to Senar and Berraca and seems to be their strongest believer. There’s a lot we don’t know about Madrimar still but we do know that Chavez’s presence is going to be needed on Planeta Fuertona sometimes in the future.
There was a wide of array of artists for this origin story’s world building. Where a lot of artist on a track can feel like too many cooks in the kitchen, the lineup was able to pull this job off splendidly. From the scenery to the dragons of the deities, and the look of the planets and parallel universe, these artists brought to life Marvel’s cosmic version of Themyscira. The coloring team did the deed for this issue to truly stand out and the depictions of the younger Senar and Berraca against the older version of themselves was a great display of all the time that’s passed for not only Madrimar but them as well.
I’m wanting to see more of this world and Chavez interacting with it. Rivera and the artist team did an incredible job of giving Chavez more depth through Madrimar being added to her supporting cast and link to her past. Chavez has had a lot of truth revealed to her in a short amount of time. There’s a lot to think about but as we discover, there are forces at play gunning for America. This origin building is a great look for America Chavez and will def be an issue that’s going to be a cornerstone for her history moving forward.
8.5 Laced wrasslin red bottom boots of 10
Reading America? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.
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