Paramount+’s The Tiger’s Apprentice is available for streaming now. And we had the chance to talk to director Raman Hui about the film, as well as some favorite dim sum items to eat.
Also, be sure to check out our review of The Tiger’s Apprentice, written by our very own Lauren Lola.
Based on the Laurence Yep series of young adult novels of the same name, the animated film follows Tom (Brandon Soo Hoo) a Chinese American high schooler living in New York, who doesn’t know that he comes from a long line of protectors called Guardians. When his beloved grandma (Kheng Hua Tan) is killed by an evil sorceress named Loo (Michelle Yeoh), Tom must rely on his best friend Rav (Leah Lewis), a talking tiger named Mr. Hu (Henry Golding), and the remaining animals of the Chinese Zodiac to keep a powerful Phoneix egg from falling into Loo’s hands.
Considering that the film reiterates the importance of having more representation. The Tiger’s Apprentice’s story of self-discovery, building confidence, and family are very much universal stories audiences can relate to, but there’s also the cultural specificities that allow the Asian community to see themselves in the characters that are on screen. What’s more, it’s one of the rare animated films to feature an all-star Asian cast. Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Diana Lee Inosanto, Sherry Cola, and Bowen Yang also star.
The film wants audiences to be proud of their heritage and they express that through this contemporary animated fantasy adventure flick that doesn’t have an immigrant story or a tiger mom. Instead, we get to see a kid and his friend, both of whom just so happen to be Asian.
The Nerds of Color got to talk to the film’s director about the subject of representation and the importance of having a support group. And since it’s the Lunar New Year, he also shared some of his favorite dim sum items, and offered a few recommendations for those who may not be familiar with the meal.
The Tiger’s Apprentice is streaming now only on Paramount+
