Exercise: Representation in Asian films - SECTION 1 [ECC-1] by John Mark Storey

Our chosen films

2025-01-07 03:47:45 UTC

Good morning, everyone. For the exercise given, I think we all agree to choose Crazy Rich Asians and Karate Kid as the films for us to discuss. So, let us watch the trailers first then discuss the questions.

Question 1

2025-01-07 14:10:44 UTC

In Crazy Rich Asians, I think the portrayal of Asians feels somewhat limited as the film primarily focuses on wealthy Singaporean Chinese elites. This results in less representation of Singapore's multiracial society, particularly the Malay and Indian communities, who are significant parts of the country's demographic. However, the film does effectively showcase how the Chinese community values their culture and traditions, emphasizing respect for family, heritage, and social customs. It also highlights linguistic diversity, with Nick Young demonstrating the ability to speak multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Question 1

2025-01-07 14:15:52 UTC

In the The Karate Kid (2010), the portrayal of Asian characters and culture can be seen through both positive and stereotypical representation. For the positive representation it shows cultural immersion. Dre Parker (Jaden Smith's character) is introduced to traditions like Kung Fu, Chinese architecture, and even school dynamics in China. This approach emphasizes the beauty and depth of Chinese culture. It also highlight the Kung Fu tradition, Kung Fu is a way of life, focusing on balance, self-control, and harmony, rather than just physical combat. This conveys respect for Chinese martial arts and their spiritual underpinnings. As for the stereotypical representation is exoticism. The movie leans on exoticizing Chinese culture to make it appealing to a Western audience. Scenes like Dre visiting the Forbidden City or encountering a mysterious Kung Fu master on a mountain can feel like they cater to stereotypes about Asia as mystical or otherworldly.

Question 2

2025-01-07 15:18:52 UTC

The Crazy Rich Asians trailer showcases the glamorous lives of wealthy Chinese Singaporeans, but it misses the chance to reflect the true diversity of Southeast Asia. Singapore, like much of the region, is home to a rich mix of cultures, including Malays, Indians, and others, yet these groups are barely visible. While it’s exciting to see an all-Asian cast in a Hollywood movie, the focus on extreme wealth and luxury can feel one-dimensional, leaning into stereotypes like the strict “tiger mom” and the eccentric rich. By highlighting only the glitz and glamour, the trailer simplifies a region full of diverse stories and everyday experiences.

Question 1

2025-01-11 12:33:48 UTC

Mulan: The film shows a young Chinese lady who challenges gender stereotypes by posing as a male and fighting in the army. It focusses on themes of honour, bravery, and family devotion, presenting an encouraging portrayal of Asian values. However, the live-action version was criticised for historical mistakes and simplifying of Chinese culture to adapt to a Western audience.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before: The film follows Lara Jean Covey, a Korean-American adolescent. Unlike traditional portrayals, Lara Jean's character is complex and approachable, with her Asian origin gently integrated into the plot rather than being a distinguishing feature. This is a step towards normalising varied backgrounds without resorting to stereotypes.

Question 2

2025-01-11 12:36:59 UTC

Mulan demonstrates both positive and negative aspects. It emphasises family values, respect for ancestors, and endurance, all of which are essential to many Asian civilisations. However, other critics claim that it supports exoticized images of Chinese traditions, simplifying the complexities of Chinese society for Western viewers.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before overcomes numerous preconceptions by depicting Lara Jean as an individual with her own distinct personality, ambitions, and relationships. Her mixed-race ancestry is an integral aspect of her identity, but it is not overdone for story convenience, representing a more authentic Asian-American experience.

Question 3

2025-01-11 12:38:48 UTC

Misrepresentation in Mulan's live-action remake occurs as a result of narrative modifications and cultural errors (such as the importance of qi), which drew criticism from Chinese audiences. However, the animated version set standards for representation in Western culture by featuring a Chinese heroine at the centre of a major Disney production.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before showcases Hollywood's developing trend of balanced representation, featuring multidimensional characters who mirror real-life diversity. This represents a departure from prior portrayals, which frequently pigeonholed Asians under inflexible clichés such as "nerdy" or "martial arts expert."

Film Chosen: Mulan and The Last Airbender

2025-01-13 11:51:31 UTC

Good day, spies! I think for our discussion, we've all agreed to choose Mulan and The Last Airbender right. So we shall start our discussion by answering some questions regarding these two asian films.

First question: What do you think of the potrayal of Malaysians and/or other Asian races in these films? How are they represented?

2025-01-13 12:07:08 UTC

Mulan centers on Chinese culture. It is rooted in The Ballad of Mulan, a Chinese legend that highlights Confucian values and it is culturally accurate. It also focuses on stereotypical tropes. For instance, there is a character called Mushu, a humorous dragon sidekick who emphasizes themes of self-discovery. Meanwhile, The Last Airbender drew inspiration from various Asian cultures. However, the live-action film faced significant criticism for its portrayal of Asians. The reasons include whitewashing of the main characters. For example, the main characters, like Aang, Katara, and Sokka, were played by white actors, even though their animated counterparts were clearly inspired by Inuit, Tibetan, Chinese, and other Asian cultures. I would say that neither film includes Southeast Asian representation, furthering the erasure of distinct Southeast Asian identities.

Second question: Consider issues, such as the representation of South-East Asia's multiracial demographic and stereotyping.

2025-01-13 12:15:35 UTC

We've all watched these two asian films and we've concluded that neither Mulan nor The Last Airbender adequately reflects Southeast Asia’s rich diversity, which includes ethnic Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous peoples. Both films are heavily influenced by East Asian and South Asian cultures, neglecting the representation of Southeast Asian identities. The story of Mulan is rooted in Chinese folklore and focuses solely on Chinese culture. While this is appropriate for the film’s context, it overlooks Southeast Asia’s multiracial demographic, where cultures often blend and coexist. For instance, the ancestor worship scene in the animated version reflects a Chinese cultural practice, but Southeast Asian Malaysians may find this unfamiliar, as Malay Muslims, for example, do not practice ancestor worship. The portrayal is culturally specific to Chinese traditions, which may alienate non-Chinese Southeast Asians. Meanwhile,The Last Airbender is based on a world inspired by Asian and Inuit cultures, but it blends these influences in ways that erase the diversity of Southeast Asia. Additionally, the live-action adaptation’s casting choices further diminished opportunities for diverse Asian representation. For example. Zuko, a South Asian actor (Dev Patel), is portrayed as an angry and vengeful antagonist. This perpetuates a stereotype of darker-skinned Asians or South Asians as villains, a bias that could impact perceptions of South Asians in multiracial Southeast Asian societies.

Third question: In general, to what extent are Asians under-represented, over-presented, or misrepresented in movies?

2025-01-13 12:22:01 UTC

In global cinema, particularly Hollywood, Asians are often under-represented in terms of lead roles, creative decision-making, and diverse storytelling. For example, in Mulan an Asian woman is the main character of the story, showcasing a rare lead role for an Asian character. However, this is an exception rather than the norm in Hollywood. In the live-action version, Mulan had an all-Asian cast, but it was largely created and produced by non-Asian filmmakers. This raises questions about the authenticity of its portrayal of Chinese culture. Meanwhile in The Last Airbender, Asians are under-represented in a film inspired by Asian and Inuit cultures. Despite the series’ rich world-building, white actors were cast in lead roles (Aang, Katara, and Sokka), sidelining Asian actors who could have played these parts. To conclude, while Mulan attempts to address under-representation, The Last Airbender shows how opportunities for Asian actors are often given to non-Asian actors, perpetuating under-representation.

Conclusion

2025-01-13 12:26:21 UTC

To conclude our discussion, both Mulan and The Last Airbender showcase how these issues persist, with Mulan making some progress in representation but still leaning on stereotypes, and The Last Airbender exemplifying missed opportunities through its whitewashing and shallow portrayal of Asian-inspired cultures.

We truly hope that in the near future, Asians can be better represented to show our diversity and the beauty of many cultures, accurately. This wraps up our discussion. Thank you!