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AAST355: Asian Americans in Film, 9/21 Hypersexuality of Race - Coggle…
AAST355: Asian Americans in Film
9/5: The Cheat
Idea of East vs. West portrayed in the film
Overarching theme of purity/innocence represented by Edith
The sense of white femininity deteriorates over the course of the film as Edith is subjected to the ideals/thoughts of Arakau
Justice and racial order --> established but still unclear at the end of the film (chaos/outrage depicted in the courthouse at the end)
Objectification of Asians in the film (Arakau being shown off)
A silent film --> lack of lack of audio urges the viewer to rely on the use of body language, facial expressions, depicted actions to piece together the plot
To what character does the title actually refer to? (need to consider the deception, manipulation, etc. throughout the film)
Difference in how each character is portrayed (lighting, sounds, etc.) contributes to how the actor/actress is viewed by the audience
There are assumed responsibilities/roles for each character
Mr. Hardy: paternal figure, caretaker (willingness to sacrifice oneself)
Feng's writing suggests that Asian American cinema does not usually focus on the actual film making process itself (considering the various modes of production, techniques) and instead typically focus on the themes and content presented
9/7: Toll of the Sea
Color, silent film
The clothing of the Asian portrayed in the film was much more flashy and colorful compared to the Americans, who were dressed in more neutral, dull clothes
The child was initially clothed in bright colors when he was with Lotus Flower, but he changed into more plain clothes when he went back with Allen's wife
The font was also different when depicting the dialogue between the Americans versus the Chinese people
Use of lighting in the scene to make things more dramatic and expresses the emotions of the characters (especially Lotus Flower)
Sun fading away at the end scene ties back to the beginning when Lotus Flower found the man at the sea --> paying the "price"
Considering the reading "Colour-as-hue and colour-as-race" it is evident that the use of color can be manipulated in order to portray the differences in Eastern & Western cultures through visual/physical depictions
Consequences of cross-culture relationships --> Eastern/Western differences
Idea of white superiority (Lotus Flower's husband marries a different woman in America)
Sense of judgement; tensions present between Lotus flower and her neighbors
Lotus Flower is portrayed as a pure, faithful woman who is pained by her husband leaving her to go back to the US
In the reading "When Dragon Ladies Die, Do They Come Back as Butterflies?" Anna May Wong is presented as being more fragile/helpless which presents a duality in how she is portrayed in Daughter of the Dragon
In Bhabha's writing, colonial stereotype & discourse are represented with power and resistance and can result in "otherness" and creation of more stereotypes
Racism & stereotypes
Ling Moy represented as a seductive character who was sexualized by many of the male characters in the film --> paints a negative light
6:09 - Ling Moy was described as exotic & intriguing
25:35 - "Fascination"
In the reading "When Dragon Ladies Die, Do They Come Back as Butterflies?" Anna May Wong is depicted in a more masculine perspective and presented as a villainess
Patriarchy and respect of elders
Gender roles challenged when Ling Moy volunteers to be Fu Manchu's son
9/14: Daughter of the Dragon
Princess Ling Moy struggles with her cultural identity (East. vs. West)
Ah Kee also struggles internally with fitting into the Western culture and remembering his Chinese culture
9/12: Marchetti
In the reading "Romance and Yellow Peril" Hollywood as its own interpretation and depiction of Asia & Asian culture --> misrepresentation, stereotypes, sexualization
Complicated relationships: "love" vs. sacrifice
Questionable morals and sense of justice
In Desai's "Film" representation is described as "neither positive nor negative, but is always produced through and in relation to power."
Relates to how Asians are typically represented as a specific type of character --> evil; comedic; innocent, etc.
Redemption and seeking revenge on behalf of father's death
Extreme expectations set by familial/ancestral beliefs and ideals --> presented as "loyalty"
39:40 - Tensions between Ling Moy and the servant
9/19: My Geisha
Cultural appropriation
Instance of yellow face --> Lucy posing as a Japanese woman (dressing up in "costume," talking in Japanese, mannerisms, etc.)
Deceit & secrecy
Lucy and the other film producer team up in order to trick Paul into thinking that Lucy was an actual Japanese Geisha
Hard to separate acting/performance from reality
Fetishization of Yoko by Bob
Lucy's personal ambition and success conflicts with her relationship with her husband
She is obsessed with her performance and is determined to portray a Japanese geisha "accurately"
At the end Lucy says that her situation was like "Pittsburg with chopsticks"
Divide between Eastern & Western cultures --> comedic effect
1:10:00 - "Our upbringing is to please men"
Racism is highly evident
Battle of the sexes
Paul feels like he has to prove himself since his wife is so successful as an actress
In Lee's reading, it is noted how yellow face is still exists "technology of Asian exclusion"
Politics vs. culture
In Shimizu's reading, we see the stereotypes of
the lotus blossom and the dragon lady -->
hypersexualization of Asian American women
Role of performance in representation
9/26: The World of Suzie Wong
Oversexulization of Asian women
they can't even enter the bar
without being escorted
in by another man
Otherness & fixity Suzie faced
In Feng's reading, Suzi's character is emphasized
as being submissive and desirable
Robert is portrayed as
Suzie's "hero" --> white savior complex
Threat of breaking out the "world"
that has been created for Suzie
10/3: Enter the Dragon
Martial arts --> discipline, self control, personal development, spiritual growth
Philosophy of martial arts, outlook on life, sharing wisdom
Ethics & morals
behind seeking revenge/
avenging
Corruption and
involvement in crimes/
illegal activties
In Prashad's writing,
it touches on the multicultural
framework versus a
polycultural one
Challenging traditional expectations of gender (undercover female agent)
10/5: Better Luck Tomorrow
Breaking the cycle --> happiness with life
Demasculination of Ben
Conflict/jealousy toward Steve
could have been motive for the murder
"castrating" the Asian man
Breaking the stereotype(s) associated around Asians
Trade-off among stereotypes
(model minority myth versus violent, crime-involved)
Academic pressure to succeed "passport to freedom"
In Shimizu's writing, it has been a
historical trend that Asian men have
been traditionally de-masculinized -->
considerations of power
10/31: Gran Torino
Can we consider
this film to be
Asian American since
the focus is on Walt
and his interactions with the Lor family??
White savior complex: Walt brings
it upon himself to mentor
Thao and show him how to be a man
Asian masculinity reverts
back to stereotype where
Asian men are "weak"
Provides a contrast to the aggression and violence depicted by the the gang members
In Veng's reading, the silence of the grandmother is highlighted to
Usage of racial slurs
and other derogortary
terms throughout the film
bring up the harsh reality
of whether or not it was
ok/acceptable to show in
theaters/public even though
it was just "acting"
In Vang's reading, the grandmother's
silence represents the unspeakability
of militarized violence
Grandmother and Walt have a poor relationship --> conflicting histories
Silencing of Hmong histories
Hmong cultural differences
used to enhance Walt's role (and
back up his redemption arc)
11/2: Saving Face
Need to consider the weght of traditions and expectations presented in culture
Disownment & ostracism of Hwei-lan after her father found out that she was pregnant even though she was widowed
Judgement of others, disgrace --> need to save face
Respect to elders can overpower personal desires/aspiratons
In Sohn's reading the idea of living a double
life is brought up (secrecy & silence) -->
compromised identities
How can the portrayal of Wil and Vivian's relationship
exemplify certain lessons to be learned?
11/14: The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Changez struggles with understanding
his own identity --> American dream
assimilating in the U.S.
Feeling isolated due to clashing
cultures (East vs. West) and
being placed into various
stereotypes
Prejudice and paranoia exist
in society which affects Changez'
decisions and beliefs
Question of morals and ethics -->
how to differentiate from personal
ambition/goals?
Film's presentation as a
conversation highlights the
significance of understanding
varying perspectives
In Sohn's reading, there is a shift in the view towards South Asian Americans from model minority to potential terrorists
Changez feels "forever foreign, the enemy alien"
Self awareness/double consciousness
11/9: Crazy Rich
Asians
At the beginning, societal prejudices
are evident through the hotel scene
where Eleanor and her family were
judged by the hotel staff (portrayed
in a negative light)
Rachel struggles with her own identity
due to unfamiliar cultural traditions as she
gets to know Nick's friends and family
Tensions with family due to
certain expectations for love
Can also consider the
sacrifices made for
the sake of love
She can be seen as a very strong,
independent woman yet Eleanor
still doesn't think that she is good
enough for her son
This challenges traditional grader roles that have been portrayed in the past (in contrast to the typical soft, submissive image Asian women are seen as)
Socioeconomic status and wealth
play roles in decision making and the
dynamic between different relationships
as we see with Rachel and Nick
Showcases the progress in mainstream
media in terms of representation
and diversity with an all-Asian cast
In Sugino's text, the film is celebrated for
having more representation of Asians yet
there is also a lot of criticism in that
opulence and excessive lifestyles that are portrayed
Multicultural redeption narrative --> differences & reconciliation
11/28: Everything, Everywhere
All at Once
Film broken
down into
3 separate
parts
American dream -->
can it truly be fulfilled?
Evelyn's discontentedness with her current life
and relationships
Tax scene at the beginning of the film
comes full circle at the end where the
family is complete
Awareness of the multiverse -->
unlocking various abilities & skills
within alternate realites
Gender roles challenged/
reversed with Evelyn
being stubborn and
having strong opinions
while Waymond is kind, gentle,
and more reserved
Waymond breaking stereotypes of Asian
masculinity by his outlook on life
Meeting Jobu Tupaki
forces Evelyn to reflect
on her relationship with Joy
Redemption arc: even in what seems like
the most complicated reality, there is still hope
and potential to change things and make up
for past wrongdoings
11/30: Asian
American Media
Representation
In Besana et al, there are various stereotype-confirming representations
How are these stereotypes displayed within this film in particular? What is the effect? (can consider the roles reversed between Evelyn and Waymond)
Perpetual foreigner stereotype --> seen as "other"
Over time, these existing representations affects how Asian Americans are perceived within society
11/7: Mississippi Masala
Longing for sense of home & belonging
Grappling with cultural differences, identities, etc.
and intersections of race and ethnicity
Interracial love with Mina and Demetrius
posed a challenge to typical norms in society
(thinking about failed relationship displayed in
Toll of the Sea)
Struggled with acceptance due
to existing prejudices and racial
tensions/biases
Also represents the opportunity
for growth and understanding
amidst the hardships --> coming
out stronger by the end
Cultural exchange which can
show connections among various
cultures (highlights the Ugandan-
Indian community)
In Seshagiri's writing, diversity triumphed over both
familial and social misunderstandings (how does
this add to the conclusion of the film?)
10/26: Surname Viet,
given name Nam
A platform to amplify the voices of Vietnamese women and their experiences --> can sometimes overlook these perspectives
Advocating for women and empowering them,
challenging expectations/norms within a patriarchal viewpoint
Emphasis on resilience
Vietnam War had an enormous impact
on communities and individuals
Feeling displaced, forced to adapt, etc.
Mix of medias to tell a story --> interviews, imagery, poetry
10/19: Who Killed Vincent Chin?
Racial injustice and targed violence -->
scapegoating of Asian Americans due to
economic hardships
Onset/acted as a fuel for racial animosity and xenophobia
In Zia's writing, the American dream and gaining full
acceptance in America was shattered by the injustice
of Vincent's death
Failed legal system for not properly
addressing these violent and hateful
crimes toward a particular race
Calls for activism and speaking up
for what happened to Vincent Chin
Economic anxieties within auto industry
due to competition with Japanese car
manufacturers
10/12: Mimura
Third Cinema sharing
complexities within history
of the Third World
Influences from community-based
ethics & determination
Relevance of memories and
recollections
10/17: Habal
Community & home created for majority
Filipino Americans, in addition to
so many others at the I-Hotel
Recovery of the past versus American dream
Fight for housing rights and start
of a movement --> a living memory
11/16: Technologizing
Orientalism
Imagination of Asians/Asia in hypertechnological terms
11/16: Modern Boys
and Modern Girls
Mobile girl
Marketing of trends like Mugi, watches, etc.
Industrial Revolution of Modern Boys --> new technologies brought to Asia
Reappropriations present in the media
Politics and economic conditons affected technolgical innovation & advances in China and apan
9/28: Lopez Kido
In this text, it is evident that there are social repercussions of the way Asian Americans are represented in the media
How can the idea of "cultural citizenship
interact with the concept of Orientalism?
The term "Asian American" itself can be seen as a means of trying to contain the diversity within the community and discourage speaking up/"acting out"
What types of platforms can be best utilized in Asian American media activism??
9/21 Hypersexuality
of Race