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AAST 355: Asian American in Film - Coggle Diagram
AAST 355: Asian American in Film
The Cheat: 9/5/23 :
Stereotyping
Negative stereotypes of Asians
Just used as objects in the story
Exotic
Portrays white women as innocent and pure.
Seen with her clothes. Always in proper attire.
The white man's savior complex.
Saving his wife by confessing for a crime he did not commit.
Capitalism
Greed: Edith wants more despite having a luxurious life, where she risks and gambles off money in hopes to making more
Arakau is a very rich man. Always seen in luxurious setting not ant having a desk job.
Richard always working. His friend even suggested to slow down and spend time with his wife.
Mob Mentaltiy
Despite everyone involved having some sort of wrongdoing, the outrage was pinned on Arakaru.
Implying that the West will always protect their own.
There will always be a division between the two hemispheres.
There was a huge crowd at the hearing looking for the verdict.
At the time it would be an interesting case because it is a white man commiting a crime against an Asian man.
Chaos ensues when Edith chooses to show the brand
Furthering the narrative that Asians are inherently bad by showing this symbol of ownership.
East vs West
Arakau and his bodyguard where the only Asians in the flim
A stark difference in decorations in the homes of the Hardy's and Arakau.
Might be a symbol that Asian cannot fully assimilate for Western culture.
Tries to show that the East is uncivilized with the use of branding
Reading: Romance and the Yellow Peril
Yellow peril fantasies depict Asians as villains and rapists
The cheat shows Arakau as a violent man that tries to take the innocence and purity of Edith
Interracial relationships taboo
It was hint of an affair with Arakau and Edith
It was clear that reltaionship is not accepted arpart from it being an affari
It would never work out and it is shown at the end
Readings: Bhabha "The Other Question"
Stereotypes as a result from colonial stories that perpetuates a negative connotation of people of color.
Historical context is important within the creation of stereotypes.
Shown with the barbaraic character of Araku following the troubles during disagreements and war with Asia
Toll of the Sea: 9/8/23
Interracial Relationships
Allen is an "honorable husband"
Ends up with a white woman because it is a "sensible" option for him
Lotus Flower is a young asian girl that waits for her "honorable" husband
Portrayed as innocent, doting, and submissive
Had to suppress her feelings and feeds into the stereotype of being submissive and the racial order
East vs. West
Lotus Flower believed that being American makes her better than everyone else
Lotus Flower thought that being in "American" clothing allows her to treat her neighbors differently
Creates the division between Asian and Caucasian People
The clothes wore by the Asian cast were vibrant and colorful while the white counter parts wore beige/white attire
The child was given bright clothing but when Lotus Flower gives him away, he is in beige clothing
Emphasizes the "exotic" nature of Asia
Different temporalities based on characters occupation
Readings: Peng "Color as Hue"
The use of two toned colors was a brand new concept
In this movie it was used to show the difference between the Eastern and Western culture
Costume: Asians wore bright and colorful clothing to symbolize how exotic they were. White people wore beige to signify their civilized nature
Settings: Asia is portrayed as exotic so there is a use of bright colors while the Western world uses more mute tones to match
Used to separate skin tones between white and asian actors
Readings: Feng "In Search of Asian Americans in Cinema
Not every film with an Asian person can be considered an Asian American film
Having Asians portrayed with negative stereotypes are harmful in society and is not representative of the Asian American experience.
Daughter of the Dragon: 9/14/23
Patriarchy
Fu Manchu was always described as "honorable" or "great" father by Ling Moy.
Misogyny
Fu Manchu wished he had a son for his legacy.
Constant comments made by Fu Manchu or Lu Chung about her being weak or stupid when showing "characteristics'" of being a women
Ling Moy begs her father to consider her as his son
Fu Manchu calls Ling Moy a Man Daughter
Ling Moy was forced to be masculine in her actions
Ling Moy wants to bring honor to her father and ancestors
There is undeniable loyalty to the father even though they only had just met
Cultural Identity
Relations to being Asian/from China was not really talked about
There is a stark difference in clothing whenever Ling Moy was in her home and outside
Ah Kee was not expressive in his Asian heritage until he was professing his love to Ling Moy
Stereotyping
Ling Moy
An object of beauty
Dragon Lady
Submissive
Ah Kee
Unable to get the girl
Unable to fully be accepted
Emasculine
White actors doing yellowface to giving them stereotypical features and characteristics
East vs West
Clear Difference with the Western home of Maloff and the Eastern style in Ling Moy's areas on the home
Difference in costumes:
Fu Manchu and his men in traditional clothing
Ling Moy in traditional clothing when she is carrying out her plan but in Western clothing in the beginning
Ah Kee in Western clothing until he professed his love for Ling Moy
The Petrie's were portrayed as the innocent white family that is being terrorized by the Asian Family
Readings: When the Dragon Ladies Die, Do they come back as butterflies.
Perpetualism of Asian American Stereotypes
Asian Man is weak while the Asian Woman is alluring
"romantic plots can never be 'satisfactorily' resolved between on-screen Asian American men and women"
Both Ah Kee and Ling Moy had to die at the end
The sexualization of the roles played by Anna May Wong had people think they had the right to know about her personal relationships
Ling Moy was made to make men fall in love with her through her beauty, making people believe this is what her life is actually like
Readings: Film
Asians are represented in a certain light due to harmful stereotypes
Asians in this movie are portrayed as objects and ornamentals
In comparison, white actors get roles that are heroic and justified in all their actions
My Geisha: 9/19/23
Cultural Appropriation/Ignorance towards Asian culture
Lucy wear traditional clothing while calling it a "costume"
Lucy "speaking" Japanese but was mocking the language
Also mocks the Japanese accent when speaking in English
Lucy using prosthetics to make her eyes slimmer to appear more "Asian"
Paul wanting a more "Asian" setting
He commented on how Tokyo has lot of ad boards and that its not authentic
Also commented on how he wants an authentic Japanese girl and dismissing all the actual Japanese girls because they become "too American"
Lucy says "Pittsburgh with chopsticks"
Love and Relationships
Lucy and Paul and married
Paul wanted to be recognized as a director rather than the husband of Lucy
Lucy wanted to further her career and felt that taking this role can evolve her status as an actress to play more serious roles
Bob liked "Yoko Mori"
Bob was infatuated with Yoko Mori when he was told that she never kissed a man
Really liked the attention from the young asian girls
Sexualization of Asian Women
Asian women are portrayed as young, innocent, docile, and pure
The geishas were seen as obedient and submissive
The movie being filmed "Madam Butterfly"
Had similar ends to Toll of the Sea where the Asian woman gives up her child to the white woman and kills herself
Perpetuates the idea that Asian women are objects used for reproduction and then can be disposed of
Reading: Made-Up Asians
"Other types of yellowface are associated with displays of the 'Orient' and exemplified by various geisha style and spectacle-driven performances that feature elaborate costumes, pagodas, temples, parasols, fans, and cherry blossoms."
The movie was filled with various examples of yellow face that portrayed Asians as caricatures.
The Exclusion Act had catalyzed the popularity of Yellowface because there were not many Asian people in Hollywood at the time
Once Asians were more prevalent in the American population, yellowface signified the lack of space for Asians in Hollywood and how space will not be created for Asian actors
Readings: Hypersexuality
"Our sexuality is embedded in history; our history is embedded in the sexuality we see on screen."
There is a dangerous narrative that portrays Asian women as sexual objects
This narrative is then put on actual Asian women and can be seen with how Asian women are treated by men
The stereotype of being pure and exotic are in fantasies that men have.
"Yoko Mori" embodies this stereotype and plays into it
Reminds me of men with "yellow fever"
9/26: The World Of Suzie Wong
Hyper sexualization of Asian Women
Casting Choice
Stereotypes
Movie Style