本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Asian stereotypes in film are no laughing matter
National Post
I recently watched the film The Hangover with friends. It was one of the best comedies I had seen in a long time. However, there is one character that bothered me, more than I thought it would.
Mr. Chow, played by actor Ken Jeong, spoke his lines in the worst Asian accent I have ever heard. Listening to him, I felt like Hollywood had set Asians back a century-- all Mr. Chow needed were some railroad pieces to complete the track.
What made me more annoyed was how the audience around me was eating it up. A part of me was hoping this was simply a satirical attempt at what Hollywood thought of Asians -- a hope that was destroyed when Mr. Chow is seen naked in one scene.
Yes (here's a bit of a spoiler), we see his small penis. I'm sure many people have heard the stereotype that Asian males have small penises, which made me disappointed in how this film was reinforcing this stereotype. I'm not saying I wanted Mr. Chow to turn around and reveal a massive endowment, but come on Hollywood, give us some credit.
Asians really don't have many significant roles in Hollywood, other than being someone's friend, the Kung Fu guy, the random extra or, in this case, the "typical" China-man. Hollywood needs to wake up, and Asians have to play catch-up. It will be a long time before a leading Asian male actor wins an Oscar in a leading role. I say male, because I don't think Asian women have to overcome the same stigma men do in Hollywood, as Asian actresses are looked upon as mysterious, exotic and sexy (which is still a stereotype that prevents them from landing significant roles in romantic comedies.) Thank you, Ken Jeong, for accepting another paycheque at the expense of the Asian community. Way to rise up and join 'em.
Jonathan Lam, Toronto.
Discrimination & Asian actresses
National Post
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tricia Tam
I applaud letter-writer Jonathan Lam for his frankness regarding the stereotypes and prejudices that surround Asian actors -- and Asian male genitalia. However, I disagree with him on the point that Asian actresses fare better in Hollywood.
Asian women are more often than not cast into neat caricature roles, such as dominating dragon mistresses, rarefied Asian beauty with Caucasoid features, martial arts expert or the perfunctory Asian friend with a distinct "Asian back story."
Furthermore, Hollywood's amazing ability to interchange these women of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese descent into any Asian role (i. e., in Memoirs of a Geisha,
Chinese-born Zhang Ziyi played a Japanese geisha) adds insult to injury.
Tricia Tam, Toronto.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
National Post
I recently watched the film The Hangover with friends. It was one of the best comedies I had seen in a long time. However, there is one character that bothered me, more than I thought it would.
Mr. Chow, played by actor Ken Jeong, spoke his lines in the worst Asian accent I have ever heard. Listening to him, I felt like Hollywood had set Asians back a century-- all Mr. Chow needed were some railroad pieces to complete the track.
What made me more annoyed was how the audience around me was eating it up. A part of me was hoping this was simply a satirical attempt at what Hollywood thought of Asians -- a hope that was destroyed when Mr. Chow is seen naked in one scene.
Yes (here's a bit of a spoiler), we see his small penis. I'm sure many people have heard the stereotype that Asian males have small penises, which made me disappointed in how this film was reinforcing this stereotype. I'm not saying I wanted Mr. Chow to turn around and reveal a massive endowment, but come on Hollywood, give us some credit.
Asians really don't have many significant roles in Hollywood, other than being someone's friend, the Kung Fu guy, the random extra or, in this case, the "typical" China-man. Hollywood needs to wake up, and Asians have to play catch-up. It will be a long time before a leading Asian male actor wins an Oscar in a leading role. I say male, because I don't think Asian women have to overcome the same stigma men do in Hollywood, as Asian actresses are looked upon as mysterious, exotic and sexy (which is still a stereotype that prevents them from landing significant roles in romantic comedies.) Thank you, Ken Jeong, for accepting another paycheque at the expense of the Asian community. Way to rise up and join 'em.
Jonathan Lam, Toronto.
Discrimination & Asian actresses
National Post
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tricia Tam
I applaud letter-writer Jonathan Lam for his frankness regarding the stereotypes and prejudices that surround Asian actors -- and Asian male genitalia. However, I disagree with him on the point that Asian actresses fare better in Hollywood.
Asian women are more often than not cast into neat caricature roles, such as dominating dragon mistresses, rarefied Asian beauty with Caucasoid features, martial arts expert or the perfunctory Asian friend with a distinct "Asian back story."
Furthermore, Hollywood's amazing ability to interchange these women of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese descent into any Asian role (i. e., in Memoirs of a Geisha,
Chinese-born Zhang Ziyi played a Japanese geisha) adds insult to injury.
Tricia Tam, Toronto.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net