The Problem with Apu (2017)

Comedian Hari Kondabolu confronts his cartoon nemesis, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the Indian convenience store owner from The Simpsons (1989) and the larger issue of how Western culture depicts Southeast-Asian communities.

Director:

Michael Melamedoff

Stars:

Utkarsh Ambudkar, Aziz Ansari, W. Kamau Bell

Cast

Credited cast:
Utkarsh Ambudkar	...	Himself
Aziz Ansari	...	Himself
W. Kamau Bell	...	Himself
Samrat Chakrabarti	...	Himself
Shilpa Dave	...	Herself - -Professor
Noureen DeWulf	...	Herself
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Herself
Dana Gould	...	Himself
Sakina Jaffrey	...	Herself
Hari Kondabolu	...	Himself
Aasif Mandvi	...	Himself
Hasan Minhaj	...	Himself
Ajay Naidu	...	Himself
Aparna Nancherla	...	Herself
Maulik Pancholy	...	Himself

Storyline

Comedian Hari Kondabolu confronts his cartoon nemesis, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the Indian convenience store owner from The Simpsons (1989) and the larger issue of how Western culture depicts Southeast-Asian communities.

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Plot Keywords:

prejudice | stereotype | south asian american | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 2017 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avalon Television, Marobru Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was given special screenings featuring live appearances and talk back with Hari Kondabolu in the fall of 2017.

User Reviews

An excellent and nuanced discussion of representation of Indian Americans in US Media

I can't help but notice the ratings of this film have been assaulted by ignorant trolls who haven't even seen the film, because it only just came out a few hours ago.

The Problem With Apu follows comedian Hari Kondabolu as he talks to major names in Indian American society from Aziz Ansari to the surgeon general. It asks a lot of tough questions and also really informs those who don't know, what it's like to have such limited representation in media. This film is not an assault on The Simpsons or anybody who likes them. Hell, Hari even says he has always loved The Simpsons and he owes the show for being one of the many things that inspired him to be a comedian.

It merely points out the dangers of having the only person representing an entire race in media for years being a stereotype.

I invite anybody who wants to learn more about representation in media or anyone who thinks this film will just be a brown guy whining for an hour to watch this film. It is very educational, funny, and insightful. I highly recommend this film. For my friends it was a great and new perspective they weren't used to seeing. For me, it was empowering to have my thoughts, as an Indian American working in the American film industry, finally given a voice.