Streamers: Writer/Director Yen Tan Shares Some Favorites You Can Watch from Home

Since a lot of people have been logging extra couch time over the past few weeks, we have asked some of our friends to recommend streaming movies and tv series for folks to watch at home. We are of course very lucky to have some especially smart and tuned-in friends.

The filmmaker and designer Yen Tan is one of these. He’s the writer and director of the feature films CIAO, PIT STOP, and 1985, and has kept up a parallel career as a graphic designer, making key art and other visual assets for a large number of independent films. He is also one of the best people we know to talk to about movies with. Read on to find out why.

 

A SUN (Netflix)

2019, D. Chung Mong-hong

I had the pleasure of screening a 35mm print of Chung Mong-hong’s debut PARKING (2008) at AFS Cinema. His latest work is a Golden Horse Award-sweeping tragedy that retains his touches of offbeat humor but is grounded by the tribulations of a Taiwanese family. An emotionally rewarding experience, with an utterly gut-punching revelation in the third act.

PEEP SHOW (Hulu)

Nine seasons (2003-2015)

My very first binge-watching started way back with the DVD box set of the hilarious hijinks of roommates Mark and Jez and the wacky people in their lives. This remains a reliable go-to whenever I need to laugh my face off. Bonus: Olivia Colman already killin’ it in her early days!

LAST LETTER (Amazon Prime)

2018, D. Shunji Iwai

The first of the two remakes of LOVE LETTER (1995), Shunji Iwai (ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU-CHOU) updates his mistaken-identity classic to a Chinese setting led by an empathetic Zhou Xun. I’ve watched the pivotal scene when she comes clean to Hao Qin over and over, profoundly moved each time.

POSE (Netflix & FXNOW)

Two seasons (2018-ongoing)

Groundbreaking in all the yasss! ways, this has become one of my favorite series, with compelling and lovable characters you wanna go back home to at each episode. The use of Mariah Carey’s “Love Takes Time” in Season 2 turned me into a puddled mess. Viva House of Evangelista!

POETRY (Kanopy, Tubi)

2010, D. Lee Chang-dong

The universe may have sung their praises for BURNING (2018), but Lee Chang-dong forever has the depth of my soul with this thoughtful portrait of an elderly woman in dilemma who is enlightened by the transcendence of poetry. I try to revisit this every year, as a reminder to look at life deeply. During these pandemic days, that’s more essential than ever.