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Post by kims on Jun 22, 2023 21:28:15 GMT
It was very different from what I expected-more a history lesson about how predominately Japanese were/are treated in U.S.
White actors playing Asians was mentioned but not seemingly the main theme. In brief Anna May Wong and Sessue Hayakawa were mentioned. I thought there would be more discussion how the Hollywood system limited their roles, their efforts to keep their careers, why studio heads thinking and the Hays Code limited their roles.
They mentioned the horrible role Mickey Rooney played in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. I was a child when I saw it and I asked my mother what was he supposed to be. She told me she wasn't sure, whether she knew or not remains a mystery.
There weren't as many films mentioned as I expected to discuss and counter the stereotypes of the time. They gave mention to THE GOOD EARTH, DRAGONSEED, SAYONARA, TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON, THE CRIMSON KOMONO. I was surprised there was no mention of FLOWER DRUM SONG or THE KING AND I, which were popular in the day. I would have been interested in some good and bad discussion that those two gave more parts to Asians, but continued some stereotypes.
It wasn't a bad doc. It was a disappointment for me because I thought it was going to analyze the films along with the history of the time.
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Post by jamesjazzguitar on Jun 22, 2023 23:07:40 GMT
It was very different from what I expected-more a history lesson about how predominately Japanese were/are treated in U.S. White actors playing Asians was mentioned but not seemingly the main theme. In brief Anna May Wong and Sessue Hayakawa were mentioned. I thought there would be more discussion how the Hollywood system limited their roles, their efforts to keep their careers, why studio heads thinking and the Hays Code limited their roles. They mentioned the horrible role Mickey Rooney played in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. I was a child when I saw it and I asked my mother what was he supposed to be. She told me she wasn't sure, whether she knew or not remains a mystery. There weren't as many films mentioned as I expected to discuss and counter the stereotypes of the time. They gave mention to THE GOOD EARTH, DRAGONSEED, SAYONARA, TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON, THE CRIMSON KOMONO. I was surprised there was no mention of FLOWER DRUM SONG or THE KING AND I, which were popular in the day. I would have been interested in some good and bad discussion that those two gave more parts to Asians, but continued some stereotypes. It wasn't a bad doc. It was a disappointment for me because I thought it was going to analyze the films along with the history of the time. I'll have to watch this with my Japanese mom. As for Flower Drum Song, that is one silly film. There is so many underlining offensive aspects in the film. Now I don't take offense (e.g., Rooney in Breakfast) but I do find it interesting what others believe is or is not offensive. |
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Post by kims on Jun 23, 2023 2:16:40 GMT
I'd be interested more of your thoughts about FLOWER DRUM SONG. Was it an opening for producers to realize that a broad spectrum of audience would watch films with Asians? One funny, in a sad way, from the doc was about CRAZY RICH ASIANS. The producers wanted to change the female lead to white. Author Kwan nixed that saying they missed the point of his novel. Did it take Bruce Lee to convince Hollywood that an Asian could be the lead? These are some of the questions I hoped the doc would address.
Re: Rooney in BREAKFAST, I was 8 or 9 and was unable to understand what his character was. I knew Mickey Rooney from Andy Hardy. He certainly was not like any Asians or anyone else for that matter I knew or had seen. Seeing BREAKFAST as an adult, I still don't quite understand why he was made up to be what? Japanese? Maybe I should read the book.
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Post by jamesjazzguitar on Jun 23, 2023 18:07:43 GMT
I'd be interested more of your thoughts about FLOWER DRUM SONG. Was it an opening for producers to realize that a broad spectrum of audience would watch films with Asians? One funny, in a sad way, from the doc was about CRAZY RICH ASIANS. The producers wanted to change the female lead to white. Author Kwan nixed that saying they missed the point of his novel. Did it take Bruce Lee to convince Hollywood that an Asian could be the lead? These are some of the questions I hoped the doc would address. Re: Rooney in BREAKFAST, I was 8 or 9 and was unable to understand what his character was. I knew Mickey Rooney from Andy Hardy. He certainly was not like any Asians or anyone else for that matter I knew or had seen. Seeing BREAKFAST as an adult, I still don't quite understand why he was made up to be what? Japanese? Maybe I should read the book. With regards to Blake Edwards, director of BAT: Yes, the character in the book was Japanese. Edwards decided to have Rooney look like the Japanese in America WWII posters, E.g., the big teeth, as a way to imply Japanese people are evil and mean (and thus to imply the landlord of the building was that way to Holly\Audrey). As for Flower Drum Song; The casting and general setup of the film falls under all-Asians-look-and-ack-alike: E.g., Japanese actors playing Chinese and their characters doing culturally Chinese activities. Of course, in CA at that time (when my mom was living in the same area and I was about to be born), these where two different cultural groups. Some of the songs and performances were so lame implying that these people were lame as well. |
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