portrayal of East Asians in Hollywood

How it feels

This film examines how East Asian characters have been depicted in American movies and theater. It focuses on the use of yellowface makeup and non-East Asian actors playing East Asian roles.

informativeanalyticalsoberhistoricalcriticalthought-provokingeye-openinguncomfortable

What happens

Portrayals of East Asians in American film and theatre has been a subject of controversy. These portrayals have frequently reflected an ethnocentric perception of East Asians rather than realistic and authentic depictions of East Asian cultures, colors, customs, and behaviors. Yellowface, a form of theatrical makeup used by European-American performers to represent an East Asian person (similar to the practice of blackface used to represent African-American characters), continues to be used in film and theater. In the 21st century alone, Grindhouse (in a trailer parody of the Fu Manchu serials), Balls of Fury, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Crank: High Voltage, and Cloud Atlas all feature yellowface or non-East Asian actors as East Asian caricatures. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

• The Slanted Screen (2006)
• Hollywood Chinese (2007)
• Face (2002)
• Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020)
• The Souls of Black Girls (2008)
• Kasane (2018)
• Seoul Mates
• "Good Hair" and Other Dubious Distinctions (2011)