TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month , a time dedicated to reflecting on the diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities across the United States. Nearly 50 years ago, this began as just a single week in May. Since then, it has evolved into a month-long celebration observed nationwide, featuring events and storytelling that both honor heritage and engage with the ongoing struggles faced by these communities. Today, AANHPI Heritage Month isn’t just about cuisine, traditions, or fashion, though those are essential parts of AANHPI culture. It’s also a time to acknowledge these communities by engaging in meaningful conversations about their grief, resilience, activism, and the pursuit of justice. The rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic only deepened the urgency for these conversations and reminded us why visibility and representation matter more than ever. One of the most powerful ways to highlig...

(Chalinee Thirasupa - Reuters) The 2025 Lunar New Year is here! Rooted in over 3,500 years of history, the Chinese New Year is one of the most significant festivals in Chinese culture. The Lunar New Year is also celebrated in Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore, among other countries . It follows the lunar calendar, with celebrations lasting for fifteen days, ending with the Lantern Festival. Traditionally, the holiday represents a time to honor ancestors, welcome prosperity, and embrace fresh beginnings. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun, the lunar calendar follows the moon's cycles to determine days, weeks, and months. The Year of the Snake in 2025 begins on January 29 and will conclude on February 16, 2026. The snake is the sixth sign in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, appearing once every dozen years.  According to Chinese mythology, the order of the zodiac animals was determined by a big race where creatures race...

Cinema has always mirrored society’s complexities, but some themes have stayed in the shadows. Up until recent history, women’s issues, such as putting careers on hold for children, violence against women, and sex work, were not explored much. Motherhood, as common as it is, is frequently romanticized, glossing over its identity-erasing toll. Similarly, sex work is stigmatized rather than humanized, and violence against women is too often sensationalized instead of contextualized as a societal failure.  This blog focuses on films, new and old, that explore themes often kept in the dark.  Nightbitch (2024) , Alley Cat (1984) , and Anora (2024) bring these underexplored narratives to light, each centering on women navigating extraordinary challenges. From the surreal trials of motherhood to the stigmas surrounding sex work and the harrowing realities of violence against women, these films share a thread of empowerment forged through adversity.  (Searchlight/Disney) In N...