Ang Lee Photo Courtesy of The New York Times
While the world pauses - its global citizens staying home to save lives - we would like to shine a spotlight on our notable alumni and recommend visiting or re-visiting their groundbreaking cinematic work.
This week’s installment of NYU Grad Film’s Streaming Spotlight features three-time Academy Award-winner, Ang Lee. Lee has been described as one of today’s greatest contemporary filmmakers and is perhaps most well-known for his film Brokeback Mountain, a monumental romantic narrative starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, for which Lee made history by becoming the first person of color to win an Academy Award for Best Director in 2006. Out of his impressive filmography, here are a few recommendations for your viewing pleasure:
“The Wedding Banquet”
The Wedding Banquet (1993): To satisfy his nagging parents, a gay landlord and a female tenant agree to a marriage of convenience, but his parents arrive to visit and things get out of hand. Academy Award-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.
“Sense and Sensibility”
Sense and Sensibility (1995): Based on the Jane Austen novel, a rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the title opposites. Starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000): A young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, won for Best Cinematography, Original Score, Art Direction and Best Foreign Language Film
“Lust, Caution”
Lust, Caution (2007): During World War II era, a young woman, Wang Jiazhi, gets swept up in a dangerous game of emotional intrigue with a powerful political figure, Mr. Yee.
“Life of Pi”
Life of Pi (2012): A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, won for Best Directing, Cinematography, Visual Effects and Original Score.