OKC goes all-in on art of Asian cinema in August

Last Updated on August 3, 2023, 7:24 PM | Published: August 2, 2023

As we once again face a brutal, intensely hot August, you may be scrambling for an excuse to hunker down indoors and enjoy some wondrously air-conditioned recreation instead of the more traditional outdoor summer fun.

Obviously, that means crowds flocking to movie theaters.

But if you’re already Barbenheimer-ed out by the blockbusters of the biggest summer in years, then August is offering OKC audiences a fantastic opportunity to experience that untouchable, creative magic of Asian and Asian-American cinema in theaters all across the city.

The unfettered creativity of Asian film is beloved worldwide for its willingness to cross genres, styles, tones, and aesthetics in ways that most other filmmaking communities would never dare, and the new releases and modern classics screening in OKC this month all stand as perfect examples.

‘Shortcomings’ – Rodeo Cinema – Opens August 4th

The directorial debut of celebrated actor Randall Park of “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Ant-Man,” and “Always Be My Maybe,” this graphic novel adaptation spins a tale of young Asian-American identity into a poignant, comedic cross-country drama.

Following a young, creative Californian couple both struggling to reconcile their identity with their American dreams, the story opens up into a bi-coastal, long-distance rom-dramedy when they split to pursue their passions and their places on opposite sides of the country.

The original comic story that inspired the film stands as one of the most acclaimed tales of the modern, young Asian-American experience, and this new feature is eyeing the same status.

For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit rodeocinema.org.

‘Oldboy’ – Oklahoma City Museum of Art – August 18th through August 20th 

A towering achievement of modern classic filmmaking, and one of the reigning genre masterpieces of the revenge film world, Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” remains one of the most influential-yet-inimitable pieces of South Korean cinema in decades.

If you’ve never experienced the head-spinning, harrowing tale of confused, short-sighted vengeance, then be prepared as you witness a man mysteriously kidnapped and imprisoned in a room for fifteen years, only to be released just as mysteriously with nothing but an ultimatum to guide him to his captor.

Every performance is brilliant, the cinematography is masterful, and the action choreography (particularly in the unforgettable “hammer fight”) is some of cinema’s very best, but it’s the stomach-churning, psyche-shredding final revelation that sets “Oldboy” apart.

For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit okcmoa.com.

‘Surongo’ – Harkins Theatres Bricktown – Now Playing

From Bangladesh comes this twisting, turning, and tunneling tale of love, betrayal, and the extraordinary lengths that a man will go to in order to get what he wants.

Wunderkind writer/director Raihan Rafi brings to life this story of a couple’s tumultuous marriage, acrimonious split, and the irrational, unforeseen trajectory of a man starved for money, love, and reason.

Is it a crime movie? A dark drama? A mystery film? Difficult to say.

But if you want a hint: the word “surongo” in the Bengali language means “tunnel.”

For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit harkins.com.

‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ – Cinemark Tinseltown – Now Playing

A mammoth-sized culture clash comedy, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” (“Rocky and Rani’s Love Story”) covers the multi-generational complexities and unflappable, rebellious spirits of modern India.

It’s a story as large and sprawling as the two extended families that it concerns, but at its heart, it’s all about young, unexpected lovers Rocky and Rani, who meet-cute while setting up their long-lost-lover grandparents.

It’s all unpredictable, musical, danceable, and more than a bit convoluted, but that’s what makes it fun, and that’s what makes it life.

For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit cinemark.com.

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ – Asian District’s Movies in Military Park – August 5th 

At this point, it should be obvious that I’ll take any excuse I ever find to talk about this unprecedented, endlessly deserving Best Picture winner.

More than a year after setting the world on fire with its mind-shattering, universe-hopping, eye-popping creativity and infinity-sized heart, I still believe that it may be the singular modern masterpiece of our time.

The fact that it so deftly and honestly explores the everyday experience of a Chinese-American family while juggling a whole multiverse is a testament to the filmmaking and to co-writer/co-direct Dan Kwan, who pulled partially from his own experiences.

It’s a wild, raunchy, and mostly insane ride, but that’ll make it all the more thrilling and exciting to see outdoors, surrounded by OKC’s historic Asian District on the eve of the beloved Asian Night Market Festival kicking off August 18th.

For more information, visit asiandistrictok.com.