South Asian Streaming Guide: March 2024
As the volume of streaming options continues to grow, I’m making an effort to be more intentional with my viewing choices - less mindlessly watching Love Is Blind, more seeking out work created by and centering the South Asian community and other communities of color. As I do so, I’ll be creating monthly streaming guides for Kahani Digital to spotlight projects that deserve our attention.
I didn't set out to dedicate this month's guide to Dev Patel, but when I sensed a pattern forming, I decided to lean into it. Check out March’s recommendations below.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Netflix)
This short film won Wes Anderson his first Oscar earlier this year. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kinglsey, Richard Ayoade, and Ralph Fiennes, Henry Sugar tells the story of a gambler (Cumberbatch) who sets out to learn an impossible skill after reading a doctor's (Patel) account of a man (Kingsley) who "sees without his eyes." If you're a fan of Anderson, as I am, this charming short will deliver on everything you expect from his signature style – quippy dialogue, stunning sets, enviable wardrobes. All of the actors are excellent, but Cumberbatch, Patel, and Kingsley in particular really embody the whimsy this story demands. Henry Sugar is part of a series of Roald Dahl adaptations by Anderson, and while I wouldn't go as far as calling the other three bad, it's clear why the Academy chose to recognize this one.
To Kill a Tiger (Netflix)
Another of this year's Oscar nominees, To Kill a Tiger is a documentary that follows one man's fight for justice in rural India after his 13-year-old daughter is gang raped. I'll be honest, I was concerned the film would further paint India as a barbaric place when I first heard about it, but director Nisha Pahuja artfully combines the story of Ranjit and his daughter Kiran (her name is changed for her protection) with that of the individuals and organizations working to change the long-held beliefs that allow sexual assault to be dismissed. Ranjit's unwavering devotion to his daughter is as deeply moving as Kiran's refusal to simply accept what happened. I believe To Kill a Tiger is best viewed knowing as little as possible, so I won't go into any more detail – but if you're wondering how this pick ties into the month's theme, Dev Patel is one of the film's executive producers.
The Personal History of David Copperfield (Hulu)
The Personal History of David Copperfield is a reinvention of the Charles Dickens novel that employs color-blind casting, with Dev Patel in the title role and several supporting characters being played by BIPOC, most recognizably Benedict Wong as Mr. Wickfield. Being a writer, movies and shows about writers writing usually win me over pretty quickly, but I dare anyone to watch young David Copperfield – played by a sensational Ranveer Jaiswal – collect scraps of paper with his favorite words on them and not feel their heart grow bigger. Gorgeous to look at and featuring a stacked cast that includes Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, and Peter Capaldi, David Copperfield is a delightful romp that might even inspire you to jot down some notes about your own life.
Monkey Man (In Theaters April 5)
Not a streaming option, I know, but I would be remiss not to include Dev Patel's directorial debut in this guide. Monkey Man, which Patel also co-wrote and stars in, follows his character, Kid, as he goes from fighter in an underground club to vigilante seeking revenge against the corrupt elite who murdered his mother. At SXSW, Patel spoke about wanting to make an action movie with "real soul, real trauma, real pain … and I wanted to infuse it with a little bit of culture." I have been looking forward to this movie since its first trailer was released, and I hope you'll all join me in seeing it opening weekend!
