i never expected to be so affected by watching a movie with an all asian american cast. growing up, i rarely saw people who looked like me on television or in the movies. if there were asians, they tended to be in a stereotypical role - the socially awkward nerd, the geisha, the kung fu master.
crazy rich asian meets crazy richer whitester in the dark knight
a lot of them were sidekicks. in the dark knight, the only asian american actor played a villain role and was held hostage. even though i thought jackie and jet li were badass fighters, i couldn't connect with that fact. i connected with the humanity in characters, the everyday interactions portrayed so effortlessly in western movies. at the same time i felt an unease because i wasn't beautiful or golden-haired like the stars in movies i loved like clueless or 10 things i hate about you. it wasn't difficult to feel invisible, wondering how i could ever fit in.
movie making is the process of telling stories through film. we learn about each other through these stories. they bridge our differences, helping us to understand one another, but when no one tells your story, it's super hard to tell that story yourself, to an audience that doesn't really care.
and that's why this movie is so groundbreaking. yes, there is criticism about the opulence and luxury showcased in the film but its purpose amounts to more than that. crazy rich asians is not my story, but it tells a portion of it. as more movies with asian americans about asian americans emerge, they will tell more of my story and in turn i can find connections with others who will identify with me. and that's a big deal.
crazy rich asians also made me realize that being asian is not something to be ashamed of. i've met far too many people who constantly wished they weren't asian or downplayed their culture. there is something magical about seeing the struggle of the asian american experience on the big screen - the one of straddling two cultures and not completely fitting in in either. there's a moment in the movie in which nick's mother told rachel that no matter what, in the world of singapore society, rachel will always be a foreigner. it's at once poignant and heartbreaking to recognize we may feel like strangers in our own country and need to prove our authenticity as asian or american depending on where in the world we are.
ultimately while this movie isn't the end all to hollywood's representation issue, it is a refreshing step in the right direction.
movie making is the process of telling stories through film. we learn about each other through these stories. they bridge our differences, helping us to understand one another, but when no one tells your story, it's super hard to tell that story yourself, to an audience that doesn't really care.
and that's why this movie is so groundbreaking. yes, there is criticism about the opulence and luxury showcased in the film but its purpose amounts to more than that. crazy rich asians is not my story, but it tells a portion of it. as more movies with asian americans about asian americans emerge, they will tell more of my story and in turn i can find connections with others who will identify with me. and that's a big deal.
crazy rich asians also made me realize that being asian is not something to be ashamed of. i've met far too many people who constantly wished they weren't asian or downplayed their culture. there is something magical about seeing the struggle of the asian american experience on the big screen - the one of straddling two cultures and not completely fitting in in either. there's a moment in the movie in which nick's mother told rachel that no matter what, in the world of singapore society, rachel will always be a foreigner. it's at once poignant and heartbreaking to recognize we may feel like strangers in our own country and need to prove our authenticity as asian or american depending on where in the world we are.
ultimately while this movie isn't the end all to hollywood's representation issue, it is a refreshing step in the right direction.
