Asian American Women In Hollywood Cinema

Mitchell Anthony Reyes
Cinema 123
Women in Film Women have definitely had a struggle in American society, on screen and off. As we have viewed each film this semester, women and their struggle shave definitely been portrayed in some way. As I have realized this, a thought has dawned on me. Not only do women have to deal with major challenges and obstacles to make better roles in film as a gender, but they also have to deal with the same kind of challenges if they happen to be a racial minority. Of course, like the other racial areas we have observed throughout the semester, there has been improvement in Hollywood film when it comes to gender roles as time progresses, but there are still unnecessary stereotypes and challenges that women come
It tells the stories of the changes of Asian American roles in cinema and the stereotypes typically viewed in past Hollywood films. Asian Americans were first expected to act like the stereotypes about them in films. Those stereotypes would be things like not knowing English, speaking in deep Asian accents, being the supporting “sidekick” roles, and other things like that. It wasn’t until later on that Asian American actors, male and female, starred in leading roles in Hollywood movies and even TV series. Hollywood directors would also shift Asian culture to what they think Asian culture is. Asians that moved to America and became actors were unable to portray what real Asian culture is because they had to do what they were told. The Asian population, however, were fascinated by the leading white men and women in the Hollywood films back then. They never cared for watching the supporting Asian roles and always wanted to see the white actors and idolized them. Later on, with the Asian American actor, Bruce Lee, Hollywood films influenced the general audience to believe that all Asians knew kung fu or karate. This newfound stereotype of Asian American actors brought the influence of Hollywood film directors wanting them to engage in fighting scenes. This is portrayed in the Bruce Lee movies, the Rush Hour series, Jackie Chan movies, and more. Movies like Better Luck Tomorrow didn’t go with the influence of Asian American stereotypes in film, and caused controversies and change on what is expected from Asian American actors. This documentary showed the challenges women faced as well. Many Asian American actresses were casted roles not only as “fresh-off-the-boat” Asians that had deep accents and little to no knowledge of English, but also as prostitutes and mistresses as well in the past. This brought on the assumption in society that some Asian American women were street