Representation Matters: Changing Portrayals of Asian-Americans in Hollywood films from 1993 to 2019 Público
Kim, Rachel (Fall 2019)
Published
Abstract
This dissertation is an investigation of the changing portrayal of Asian-American Hollywood films from 1993 to 2019. This period is significant for this study because, before the 1990s, few Asian-Americans were portrayed in Hollywood films, and those that were presented were depicted as stereotypical or as simplistic characters. These stereotypes and simplifications of Asian-Americans were repeated throughout the decades without much notice. In this research, there are three questions to be addressed. What are the changing portrayals of Asian Americans presented in Hollywood films? How do audiences respond to the changing portrayals of Asian Americans? Within the expansion of Asian American representation, how can Hollywood engage with the audience more productively in presenting Asian American portrayals? The study includes historical context of Asian-American migration to the United States and Hollywood respectively, the relationship between Hollywood race, and examples of Asian-American stereotypes before the 1990s. The study also discusses two case studies: The Joy Luck Club (1993) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018). Then, there will be interviews with the audience to discover the perception and the reflection that the audience on Asian-American, the films, and future steps for more varied and nuanced Asian-American representations in Hollywood. The thesis will conclude with the analysis of the interviewees and the key summary of all of the findings. This study finds that changing portrayals of Asian-Americans are shown positively that there seems to be more in-depth character development and more dimensional that the audience can learn about these Asian-Americans more. However, the changing portrayals of Asian Americans affect the audience is not always effective depending on the audience’s background. Yet, for Hollywood to better engage with the audience more productively in presenting Asian American portrayals, a wide range of solutions was proposed from creating both ethnic-specific stories and universal stories, providing in-depth characterizations, having more Asian-leads, and encouraging Asian-Americans to be involved in the production not just in acting, but also in writing and producing.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Historical Background 4
Historical Context of Asian-Americans Migration to the United States 4
Hollywood’s Decision-Making Operations & Its Implications 11
Chapter 2: Hollywood and Race 27
Relationship Between Hollywood and Race 27
Asian-American Stereotypes in Hollywood Films Before 1993 33
History of Classical Films with Asian American Stereotypes 35
Chapter 3: Case Studies 43
Why I Chose These Films 43
The Joy Luck Club Film Discussion 45
Crazy Rich Asians Film Discussion 62
Chapter 4: Research Design & Method 81
Recruitment & Methodology 81
Participants 83
Chapter 5: Review of Interviews 85
Identity 85
Films 90
Asian-American and Hollywood 107
Chapter 6: Summary of Findings 117
Conclusion 125
Appendix 128
References 140
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