This is a really a fantastic, eye-opening, critical look at the history of American media's images of Asian/-American women. I do NOT think it's supposed to be a history of actresses (as a previous reviewer described).
I saw this in college and was blown away by the blatant archetypes (dragon lady v. lotus blossom), but also the subtle shifts in portrayal depending on how mainstream Americans feel about Asia. I valued the unknown attempts by actresses such as Anna Mae Wong to broaden their roles.
The most hilarious part was Asian American anchorwomen describing how broadcasters wanted to Connie Chung-ize them all. OK, almost as hilarious as the footage of Caucasian actors with taped eyelids, like Marlon Brando and Katherine Hepburn.
The only downside is that the documentary's 20 years old. I hope it gets updated soon.
This is must-see for all Asian American women, but would also be very entertaining/enlightening for everyone else.
I saw this in college and was blown away by the blatant archetypes (dragon lady v. lotus blossom), but also the subtle shifts in portrayal depending on how mainstream Americans feel about Asia. I valued the unknown attempts by actresses such as Anna Mae Wong to broaden their roles.
The most hilarious part was Asian American anchorwomen describing how broadcasters wanted to Connie Chung-ize them all. OK, almost as hilarious as the footage of Caucasian actors with taped eyelids, like Marlon Brando and Katherine Hepburn.
The only downside is that the documentary's 20 years old. I hope it gets updated soon.
This is must-see for all Asian American women, but would also be very entertaining/enlightening for everyone else.