Speaking truth to power: Andrew Ahn's fresh take on a 90s classic beams with contemporary queer love
Film critique: Andrew Ahn's revamped version of 'The Wedding Banquet' showcases a deeply personal touch
By Jake Coyle, NEW YORK to the bring down the house
Filmmaker Andrew Ahn hails from a household that dubbed itself the "Blockbuster Video family." Weekends saw them renting three or four movies every weekend. When Ahn was 8, his mom rented a copy of Ang Lee's acclaimed comedy-drama, The Wedding Banquet. She didn't know it was a profound queer film, but it resonated with the young Ahn and set the bar.
Fast forward 34 years, Ahn, 39, has taken on the unenviable task of remaking Lee's gem, but with a contemporary twist tailored to the gay experience today. Debuting in theaters on August 25, 2023, Ahn's modernized rom-com breathes new life into the 90s classic with a stellar cast led by Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, and Han Gi-chan.
Photo: AP
Cowering at the prospect of remaking a film as revered as The Wedding Banquet, Ahn, who's known for films like Driveways and Fire Island, felt it was his chance to contribute his perspective as the offspring of Korean immigrants.
"My movies have always been centered on exploring the interplay between sexuality, identity, and familial ties," Ahn stated during a recent interview, sipping coffee. "The original was a groundbreaking film for its time, and playing with its themes in today's context served as a thrilling challenge."
Photo: AP
To many, The Wedding Banquet's remake is more of a reimagining, considered a taboo by some. Yet the term "remake" avoids the all-too-accurate description of a lifeless regurgitation. Ahn's vision revisits and rebuilds Lee's poignant masterpiece for a new generation with a modern flare. If it ain't broke, why fix it?
"We couldn't simply remake The Wedding Banquet; we needed to push the narrative forward with a fresh take," says producer James Schamus, who helmed both the original and the reworking. "The essential requirement was creating something authentic to today's world."
As the world embraces and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community, Ahn delivers an unapologetic celebration of queer love, framed within a bright comedic satire. The Wedding Banquet of 2023 arrives 30 years after its groundbreaking predecessor, nostalgically reminding audiences of what's changed for the LGBTQIA+ community and yet still, the challenges we face.
A NEW KIND OF WEDDING
In Ahn's reboot, our narrative centers not one couple, but two. Min (Han) is in a committed relationship with Chris (Yang). Under pressure from his soon-to-arrive Korean grandmother (Youn Yuh-jung), Min pretends to marry Angela (Tran), their close friend and flatmate. Money earned from the sham wedding will finance Angela's IVF procedure with her partner, Lee (Gladstone).
Ahn's exuberant reinterpretation incorporates the richness of Korean heritage, as the story's intergenerational relationships (supported by star Joan Chen in a stirring performance) beget a renewed understanding of community, place, and identity. As the film unfolds around the Seattle home of Lee, a Duwamish tribal member who acquired the property to reclaim her family's ancestral land, it weaves a heartfelt patchwork of laughter and heartache.
A PERSONAL MASTERPIECE
Many pieces of Ahn's film resonate with his own life, and perhaps that was the key to crafting such a masterful ode to love and self-discovery. Numerous scenes and dialogues stemped from Ahn's reality, creating a strong emotional connection between the filmmaker and his film.
"The argument in the alley between Kelly Marie Tran and Lily Gladstone's characters—that's something my boyfriend said to me," Ahn shared. "Their discussion about parenthood has an uncanny resemblance to conversations I've had with my partner."
Tran too found herself in familiar territory as she embraced her character. The Star Wars: The Last Jedi star divulged her experiences with the predominantly queer cast and crew during filming, stating: "The whole experience was healing in ways I hadn't anticipated."
A SOCIAL TESTAMENT
Production for The Wedding Banquet happened during a tumultuous period for the LGBTQIA+ community, following Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2021. His election marked a new wave of challenges against the community, prompting Ahn and his cast to reconsider and reinforce the significance of their film in the era of encroaching intolerance.
"In times like these, it's important to create spaces where joy is a form of protest," Gladstone remarked. "This Wedding Banquet asserts the resilience of this community, despite the hostile winds we currently face."
"This film serves as a reminder of the beauty within our community and why we must fight against those who aim to erase us," Schamus conferred. "The celebration of love and life in this story is a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable among us."
As the world continues to grapple with the plight of the LGBTQIA+ community, The Wedding Banquet provides a breath of fresh air, shining a light on the triumphs, heartaches, and indomitable spirit of those living their truth in spite of adversity.
- The Taiwanese-American filmmaker, Andrew Ahn, whose family was known as the "Blockbuster Video family," has reenvisioned Ang Lee's acclaimed film, The Wedding Banquet, setting a new benchmark for contemporary queer love in movies-and-tv entertainment.
- For Ahn, remaking The Wedding Banquet was not just a remake, but an opportunity to reimagine the piece, infusing it with a modern flare that moves the narrative forward, resonating with the present-day queer experience.
- Debuting on August 25, 2023, The Wedding Banquet reaffirms the power of love and identity in the face of adversity, serving as a social testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community.
