DANCES WITH FILMS NEW YORK 2026 REVIEW! Director Walter Kim’s debut feature film, Banana Split, is a lovely black-and-white part-comedy with a touch of drama. It’s clearly inspired by Before Sunrise, Lost in Translation, The Daytrippers, and Frances Ha, with perhaps a sprinkle of Woody Allen for good measure. Albeit this time, everything is filtered through an Asian-American perspective. As a New York City indie film, a genre in itself and one I relish, the film offers an education in what it means to be Asian-American, leaving no stereotype unchallenged, hence the title.
Peter (Min-Gu) is a reserved but dialed-in photographer who likes to photobomb tourists’ cell phone photos when asked to take their pictures. When he arrives to pack up his late sister’s apartment, a scheduling mix-up forces him to share the space with Alice (Jessica Chung). She is a bold, over-the-top, chaotic stranger fleeing her messy life. She just so happens to continually philosophize about it in a direct but engaging way. Over one unexpected weekend, the two explore New York City, confront unresolved grief, clash over their contradictions, and discover that authenticity requires honesty with oneself (a good message).
“…the two explore New York City, confront unresolved grief, clash over their contradictions, and discover that authenticity requires honesty with oneself.”
The declarations of life and living as young adults in New York give Alice and Peter great depth as people, especially as Asian-Americans struggling with identity for very different reasons. Yet the human connection they find in one another is universal and tugs at your heartstrings. Only their life in a weekend covers a great deal of ground, with a surprising twist from Alice that does not sit well with Peter, who puts Alice to the test and lets the truth be told as he must deal with a sister who is gone forever. Alice’s dialogue is smart, witty, and pointed, with comments to Peter that he “has been collecting souls through photos like a camera vampire.” However, Peter’s comebacks deconstruct Alice, adding fuel to her fire. Peter is only seeking awareness and making sense of existence, a different challenge than the one Alice faces.
Eyes on a wall and other interesting details and themes are scattered throughout Banana Split, offering subtle commentary and inferred meaning about its purpose. A great deal of Asian bonding occurs, offering a connection to this budding relationship, which has a built-in ending. Alice is the new tenant, and Paul is packing up his sister’s life, an unavoidable task. Unlike Alice, he must face the reality of how she wants to live. A somber Paul, contrasted by a high-energy Alice, can feel fleeting and unaccountable in moments.
A classy jazz-inspired soundtrack makes the film a pleasurable black-and-white experience, following a trip from Bridgehampton and Oyster Bay back to the city. From relationships, sexuality, and professions to an in-depth, insightful look at how Asian-Americans navigate life as Americans, Banana Split is not just about a declaration. It’s meant to educate and appreciate, and it’s an artful and purposeful exposé of the internal and external existence, with a good amount of comedy and drama as well as unexpected situations.
Banana Split screened at the 2026 Dances with Films New York.
"…offers an education in what it means to be Asian-American, leaving no stereotype unchallenged..."
