Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures present The Wedding Banquet, a contemporary reimagining of the beloved 1993 Ang Lee classic, bringing fresh perspectives on queerness, cultural expectations, and the universal desire to belong. Directed by Andrew Ahn, the film stars an exceptional ensemble cast, including Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Joan Chen, and Academy Award-winner Youn Yuh-Jung.
A Timely and Heartfelt Story
Angela and her partner Lee are facing financial challenges in their efforts to conceive through IVF. Meanwhile, their friend Min, a closeted heir to a corporate empire, finds himself in a desperate situation as his student visa nears expiration. When Min’s boyfriend, Chris, declines a marriage proposal, Min turns to Angela with a unique offer: a green card marriage in exchange for financing her IVF.
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What starts as a simple arrangement quickly spirals into chaos when Min’s traditional grandmother unexpectedly arrives from Korea, demanding a grand wedding celebration. As the characters navigate this farcical situation, the film offers a touching exploration of familial duty, self-acceptance, and the complications of love in its many forms.
A New Vision for a Classic Tale
Director Andrew Ahn, who was deeply influenced by Ang Lee’s original film, saw an opportunity to update The Wedding Banquet for a modern audience. With LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality now legal in many parts of the world, the film asks a new question: Now that we can get married, should we? Ahn’s adaptation doubles down on the original’s themes, weaving a story of two interconnected couples grappling with identity, responsibility, and the expectations placed upon them by their families and society.
A Stellar Cast and Production Team
The Wedding Banquet boasts an impressive cast, with Bowen Yang as Chris, Lily Gladstone as Lee, Kelly Marie Tran as Angela, and Han Gi-Chan making his English-language debut as Min. The film also features celebrated actors Joan Chen and Youn Yuh-Jung, whose performances bring gravitas and warmth to the intergenerational conflicts at the heart of the story.
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Behind the scenes, Ahn collaborates with a talented production team, including producer Anita Gou (The Farewell), writer and producer James Schamus (Brokeback Mountain), and cinematographer Ki Jin Kim (Driveways). With costume design by Matthew Simonelli and production design by Charlotte Royer, the film captures both the beauty of cultural traditions and the intimate struggles of its characters.
Celebrating Found and Forged Families
At its core, The Wedding Banquet is about the people we choose as family. It acknowledges the joys and challenges of forging one’s own path while honoring the traditions and relationships that shape us. By blending sharp humor with heartfelt emotion, the film delivers a poignant, modern take on love, identity, and the evolving concept of family in today’s world.
The Wedding Banquet opens in theaters on April 18, 2025.
About The Wedding Banquet
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Directed by: Andrew Ahn
Written by: Andrew Ahn, James Schamus
Cast: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Bobo Le, Camille Atebe, with Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-Jung
Producers: Anita Gou, Joe Pirro, Caroline Clark, James Schamus
Co-Producers: Jordan Hart
Executive Producers: Luca Intili, Daniel Bekerman, Andrew Karpen, Kent Sanderson, Shivani Rawat, Julie Goldstein
Associate Producers:
Director of Photography: Ki Jin Kim
Production Designer: Charlotte Royer
Editor: Geraud Brisson, ACE
Music by: Jay Wadley
Logline
A comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating the disasters and delights of family expectations, queerness, and cultural identity.
What excites you most about The Wedding Banquet? How do you think it will compare to the original? And which moment from the trailer are you most looking forward to seeing on the big screen? Share your thoughts on social media!
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