For years, there has been a battle for greater Asian representation in Hollywood. However, it is only recently that positive signs have emerged. In 2018, Jon M. Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians received universal acclaim from critics. Similarly, Bong Joon-Hey ho’s Ho, which was released in 2020, made history as the first film in […]
The fight for Asian representation in Hollywood has been ongoing for a long time. Despite the fact that Asians make up a significant portion of the population, they are often underrepresented in movies and television shows. This lack of representation has led to frustration and disappointment among many Asian Americans who feel that their stories are not being told.
However, in recent years, there have been some encouraging signs that things may be changing. One of the most notable examples is the success of Crazy Rich Asians, which was directed by Jon M. Chu and released in 2018. The film, which was based on the best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan, featured an all-Asian cast and was widely praised for its representation of Asian culture.
Critics hailed Crazy Rich Asians as a groundbreaking film that could help pave the way for more Asian representation in Hollywood. The movie was a box office success, grossing over $238 million worldwide. It also received several award nominations, including two Golden Globe nominations.
Another recent example of Asian representation in Hollywood is Bong Joon-Hey ho’s Ho, which was released in 2020. The film made history as the first non-English language film to win the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards. It also won several other awards, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Ho tells the story of a poor family living in South Korea who scheme to become employed by a wealthy family. The film explores themes of class struggle and social inequality, and has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of complex characters.
The success of Crazy Rich Asians and Ho has given hope to many Asian Americans who have long felt marginalized in Hollywood. These films have shown that there is an audience for stories that feature Asian characters and explore Asian culture. They have also demonstrated that movies with all-Asian casts can be successful at the box office.
However, there is still a long way to go when it comes to Asian representation in Hollywood. While Crazy Rich Asians and Ho were both groundbreaking films, they are still the exception rather than the rule. Most movies and television shows still feature predominantly white casts, and Asian actors are often relegated to supporting roles or stereotypical characters.
There is also a lack of diversity within the Asian American community itself. While Crazy Rich Asians and Ho both featured East Asian actors, there are many other Asian ethnicities that are still underrepresented in Hollywood. For example, South Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders are often overlooked in favor of East Asians.
Despite these challenges, there are many Asian American actors, writers, and directors who are working to change the status quo. They are creating their own content and telling their own stories, often through independent films or web series.
One example is the web series Eastsiders, which was created by Kit Williamson and features a diverse cast of LGBTQ characters, including several Asian American actors. The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of relationships and its exploration of complex themes such as addiction and infidelity.
Another example is the film The Farewell, which was directed by Lulu Wang and features an all-Asian cast. The movie tells the story of a Chinese American family who gather to say goodbye to their grandmother, who is dying of cancer. The Farewell has been widely praised for its nuanced portrayal of cultural differences and its exploration of family dynamics.
In conclusion, while there have been some positive developments in recent years when it comes to Asian representation in Hollywood, there is still a long way to go. However, the success of films like Crazy Rich Asians and Ho has shown that there is an audience for stories that feature Asian characters and explore Asian culture. It is up to Hollywood to continue to push for greater diversity and representation, and for audiences to support these efforts by watching and promoting films and television shows that feature diverse casts and tell diverse stories.
