The film industry has historically dumped different people of color (POCs) into supporting roles and dubbed it “diversity.” The Cambridge Dictionary denotes diversity as: “The fact of many different types of things or people being included in something; a range of different things or people.” In the past, diversity in movies fit this definition; however, these attempts at representation for POCs are not culturally accurate. Nevertheless, in recent years, true cultural diversity has become more common in films and the industry as a whole. This shift has benefited students’ knowledge of cultures and understanding of the real experiences of POCs.
Historical Misrepresentation of Ethnicities in Film
Movies and TV shows that include different races and ethnicities are often targets of scrutiny. One of the main reasons has to do with the director not identifying with the race or ethnicity they’re including in their work. This makes it difficult to execute the character well, not only in the traditional sense of character development or dimension, but also in incorporating cultural elements to make their characters relevant as well. Even if the intentions of the director are positive, confusion or conscious and subconscious racism have led to accidentally, or purposefully, appropriating cultures in the film. Cultural appropriation refers to the exploitative, disrespectful or stereotypical use of different cultures in a piece of work. From incorrectly using foreign phrases or names to using religious or tribal headpieces, cultural appropriation has a broad spectrum, as how one defines culture varies from person to person.
Recent history in film teems with forced accents and racist slurs as well as inaccurately portrayed personalities and living conditions of minority groups. Though any minority is subject to prejudice, in American movies, Asian cultures arguably receive more heat from producers and directors than other POCs.
“Indians, as I am one myself, are depicted as these people with dark skin and hair, speak with a strong Indian accent and eat samosas, where, in reality, there are so many shades to Indians and some have English accents, as well as others, and don’t live off of samosas. I’m sure similar things apply to other cultures as well,” Isha Pohane (10, MST) said.
Many characters are designed to personify this stereotype (i.e. strong accents). One character that plays into the stereotype is Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in the animated sitcom, “The Simpsons,” played by Greek American Hank Azaria. Another example is Kelly Kapoor, a character from “The Office” played by Indian American actress Mindy Kaling. Kaling has been accused of imitating an Indian accent since she’s claimed previously that she couldn’t mimic her parents’ accents. Priyanka Chopra, a Bollywood and Hollywood actress, has also faced accent-related controversy. She has been criticized for changing her Indian English accent to a more American one after her shift to Hollywood.
However, Indians haven’t been the only targeted group. Many foreign dialects are prone to being mocked. In the popular 1961 movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Mr. Yunioshi is infamous for his belittling ‘Engrish’ accent towards Japanese people.
As a person of Asian descent, Mr. Yunioshi’s character, and others who use the practice known as “yellowface,” are extremely offensive and infuriating. Before the entertainment industry realized they could cast Asian actors for Asian roles, white people played these characters, or rather, caricatures. These actors used stage makeup and effects to mimic the features of a person of East Asian descent. Unfortunately, Mickey Rooney, who acted as Mr. Yunioshi, isn’t the only one who has participated in yellowface. “Dragon Seed,” a widely unpopular 1944 movie set in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, features a predominantly white cast, all in yellowface, and an Asian cast who is not credited.
Many think of all East Asian cultures as part of China or mistake the different countries for other Asian ethnicities. This is based on skin and hair color and, regrettably, it’s understandable (people who descend from these countries mix each other up sometimes too!), but the categorization of all East Asian cultures as one cultural entity is unacceptable.
“All the Asian cultures get bunched together, though they’re not the same. They all have their own histories and ideas,” Louisville Male High School student Isabella Thomas said.
Yellowface contributed to this stereotype and labelled all people who identify as East Asian as “yellow.” In the “Harry Potter” universe, the Chinese character Cho Chang is portrayed by Katie Leung, who descends from China. However, the character’s name is two Korean surnames put together. The two last names, Cho and Chang, act as a first name and a last name, but it is not an actual name in China or Korea. Moreover, the way actors have depicted these characters is wrong. Actors played Asian characters as cunning, inferior, exotic and ignorant.
Improvements in Diversity in the Film Industry
Cultural appropriation often occurs when the creators of a piece are not of that particular culture or ethnicity. Furthermore, when a POC produces a film featuring their ethnicity, it makes the film more genuine and notable. It is worthy to recognize that diversity in filmmaking and production has improved tremendously over the years.
Asian filmmakers have produced hit movies such as “Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings,” “The Farewell,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” and “Kim’s Convenience.” These films and TV shows feature predominantly or completely Asian casts. These casting choices enhance the authenticity of the Asian and Asian American experience.
Tyler Perry is a celebrated Black trailblazer of this field, dabbling in different roles and parts of the production process. Perry is well known for the “Madea” franchise, “Sistas” and, more recently, “The Six Triple Eight,” among many others. Perry’s work highlights themes of family, faith and comedy, skewing away from preconceptions of poverty, criminalistic behaviors and lazy or aggressive personalities. Relating more closely to the topic of diversity, Perry’s films feature strong Black characters in the main cast, when, according to Thomas, movies from the early 2000s and 1990s have that “one token black person” among an otherwise entirely white cast.
Compared to earlier years when the traditional stereotype of accents, personalities, regionalization of cultures and other forms of cultural appropriation were so prevalent in television, diversity, beyond the basics of inclusion, has become a strength in today’s scope for new casts, movies and TV shows. It’s true that the film industry has come a long way from painting faces and mimicking accents to having complete casts and crews of Asian people. So when watching the next blockbuster with a diverse cast, such as Asian, Black, Hispanic, or mixed cast members, it is important to recognize whether or not the portrayal is accurate. To confirm or disprove a notion, visit Scholars to educate oneself further about different cultures represented in film.
