Historicwinsforanunderrepresentedstory EverythingEverywhereallthroughoutawardsseason

BenReed Arts&CultureEditor

A24’s EverythingEverywhere AllatOnce hassinglehandedlytaken awardshows–and theworld–by storm this past year, following its release in theaters last March.The filmhas beennoted forits “genreanarchy,” usingelementsof absurdcomedy,science-fiction, fantasy,martial arts films, andanimation totell thestory of anaging Asian-Americanimmigrant whostruggles to connectwithher daughterandhusband whilepursuing the Americandream.Many film analysesofEverything Everywhere note the film forportraying elementsof nihilism(orbelieving thatlifeis meaningless),mental health,generationaltrauma, and Asian-Americanidentity Atthe timeof itsrelease, the film wasacclaimed for its acting (particularly for its leading ensemble membersMichelle Yeoh,KeHuyQuan, StephanieHsu andJaimeLee Curtis),screenplay,direction, visualeffects,andaction sequencesamongmany otheraspects ofthe film’sproduction. The2023 awardseason saw EverythingEverywhere nominatedfor majorawards forbest picture,acting performances,director (Daniel Kwanand DanielSchienert, knownas “theDaniels”), screenplay,costumedesign, editingandensemble cast, amongothercategories. Followingitswins atthe95th Academy Awards,including BestPicture, Everything Everywhere has becomethe mostawarded filmof all time,surpassing TheLord ofthe Rings:Return ofthe King.

EverythingEverywhere’s trackrecord inthis year’s award season is nothing short of historic. Michelle Yeohisthesecond womanofcolor,and the first AsianAmerican,towin the Academy AwardforBestActress, followingHalle Berrywho wonfor herrole in Monster’sBall in2001. Whilepeople ofcolor havebeen nominatedfor Academy Awardssincethe 1930s,marginalizedpeople beingrecognized fortheir workhas beenunderrepresented. KeHuy Quan,who wonseveralawards forBest Supporting Actoracross various circuits,was forcedto takea prolongedhiatus from acting,even afterhis successesin IndianaJones and TheGoonies, dueto theabsence ofopportunities for Asian-Americanactors. Duringthis time,he didodd jobstomakeends meet. EverythingEverywhere served ashis comebackto acting,for whichhe becamethe first Asian-Americanto winmultiple awardsfor Best Supporting Actor.“WhenI startedmycareer asachild actorin IndianaJones andthe Templeof Doom,I felt sovery luckyto havebeen chosen. AsI grewolder, I startedto wonderif thatwas it.If thatwas justluck. Forsomany years,Iwas afraidthatI hadnothingmore tooffer Thatnomatter whatIdid, Iwouldnever sur- passwhat Idid asa kid. Thankfully,more than30 years later,two guys[the Daniels]thought ofme. Theyrememberedthat kid,and theygave methe opportunityto tryagain,” saidQuan inhis GoldenGlobe acceptance speechfor BestSupporting Actor.Following thesuccessofthe film,Quanhas landedmultipleoffers inthe filmandtelevision industry.

Michelle Yeoh,onthe otherhand,has hadalengthy careerin the film industry,working asboth anactress andstunt performerin avariety ofmartial arts films.

Waymond.Evelyn’sresidual hurtisexpressed inherreluctance toconnectwith Waymondintheir relationshipand motivationto seethe laundromatsucceed,as wellas herdiscomfort withJoy’s queerness. As aresult ofthe condescensionfrom herfather, Evelyn hasprioritizedwork andsuccessover herrelationships withher husbandand daughterto provehim wrong. Additionally, Evelyn’s resistance to her daughter’s identityissimilar toherown father’soppositionto her choicetomove to America.This senseofdisownment andsubsequent traumahas carriedthrough ageneration intoEvelyn’s relationshipwith herdaughter, whohas begunto exhibitsigns ofdepression andwithdrawal fromher family.Evelyn’s experienceof generational traumacontributesto thebroken familythatis central tothe film’s plot.

Whileshe hasbeen recognizedfor herprevious workin smallerawardscircuits, EverythingEverywhere served asacatalystto push Yeoh’scareerintothe mainstream. Yeohwon 48awards forher performancein the film acrosstheentire awardsseason.

Notonlydidthe performancesofits Asian-American castmembersopen moredoorsfor other Asiancastand crewin the film industry,but thepraise givenfor the film’sstoryalsosheds lightonacommon, yetinvisible experiencefor immigrantsall overthe UnitedStates.

The film followsEvelyn Wang(Yeoh), amiddle-aged Chineseimmigrant whomust travelthrough alternate universestodefeata greatevilthatthreatens todestroy reality.Evelyn isjoined byher husband, Waymond (Quan),withwhomshe hasastrainedrelationship, and theirdaughter,Joy (Hsu),whosequeer identityEvelyn strugglestounderstand.. The filmexplores thevarious alternativelifestylesthat Evelyncould’veexperienced hadshetaken differentroutesthroughout herlife.She choseto leaveher familybehind inChina topursue a lifewith Waymondinthe UnitedStates,only tobeleft overworkedintheir familylaundromat,rather thanbeingafamousactress, talentedoperasinger,or evenlivingina worldwherepeople havehotdogs for fingers.

Peoplelike Evelynare oftennot seenor understood bymany inthe realworld.Intergenerationaltrauma isexplored inher relationshipwith herfather, who disownedherafter shechoseto movetothe U.S.with

EverythingEverywhere Allat Once’s success asa filmserves asa beaconto thosewho sharethe lived experienceof itscharacters. Ithas openeda widespread conversationon thestate ofrepresentation for AsianAmericansworking inthe filmindustry, bothon and offscreen. This film hasbeen universallyacclaimed foritsability tosparkformerly unheardconversations about Asian-Americanidentity andgenerational trauma througha literalout-of-this-world lens. Watching itis bothenjoyable andinsightful foraudiences whoseek to seethemselvesand othersinits characters.

Crossword

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JaneGooddall

Margaret sanger

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