The podcast highlights the lack of representation and access to Asian American films and the need for more platforms to make them accessible.
The analysis of Mulan in the podcast raises concerns about misrepresentation of Chinese culture and lack of emotional depth.
The podcast emphasizes the need for Asian American creatives to support one another and engage in critical discussions about media for authentic representation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Asian American Art and Storytelling
The podcast discusses the importance of showcasing, developing, and preserving Asian American art and storytelling, particularly in film. It highlights the lack of representation and access to Asian American films and the need for more resources and platforms to make them accessible. The guest also emphasizes the significance of historical preservation and restoration of older Asian American films that have been overlooked or forgotten.
Critique of Mulan as a Missed Opportunity
The podcast delves into a critical analysis of the Disney live-action film Mulan. It raises concerns about the missed potential in storytelling and character development, particularly with regards to the misrepresentation of Chinese culture and the lack of emotional depth. The podcast also addresses the issue of white creatives behind the scenes leading a film that claims to represent Asian culture, ultimately failing to authentically portray the Asian American experience.
Empowering Asian American Creatives and Audiences
The podcast emphasizes the need for Asian American creatives and audiences to support one another and advocate for authentic representation. It encourages honest and critical discussions about media, discouraging blind support and instead promoting thoughtful engagement. The podcast explores the power of solidarity within the Asian American community in the face of limited opportunities and underrepresentation in the entertainment industry.
The Importance of Asian-American Studies and Maintaining Departments
It is important to prioritize and maintain Asian American studies departments and encourage younger academics to engage in this work. The existence of proper Asian American studies departments is fortunate, and it is crucial to continue building and preserving these spaces for learning and research.
Preserving Older Asian American Films and Making them Accessible
Efforts are being made to identify and preserve older Asian American films, showcasing them in film festivals and creating educational materials around them. The aim is to make these films accessible to a wider audience and provide resources for teachers to incorporate them into their curriculum. The goal is to have a space where these films can be preserved, screened, and made available for educational purposes, promoting diversity and inclusivity in storytelling.
Secret confession: I had no idea that there were Asian-American movies prior to the launch of Crazy Rich Asians. Oops! If any of you are like me, you’ll be stoked to hear Wynton Wong, Head Programmer of the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) talk about groundbreaking Asian-American films that flew under the radar. Bonus content - we share our honest, unfiltered thoughts on Mulan o:
AAIFF is a fantastic platform that not only celebrates historically significant films, but also showcases up-and-coming creatives that bring colorful, nuanced stories to our community (and are also just great movies in general!) This year, the festival will be VIRTUAL, so don’t miss out on some awesome films and content!
Use our exclusive Eat Your Crust discount code to get 20% off of your tickets: AAIFF43_41Slf
