Movie- Wang

"Crazy Rich Asians" Film, 2018

Media type: Film

Concept source: Wang

When we summarize and box-in a group of people based on an old fashioned and out of date stereotype, we limit our own society from progressing further. This idea can be mirrored alongside that of male to female to other gender inequality. Wang’s article discusses how when we expect Asians to go into technician jobs, we limit a group of peoples space for exploring creativity. Similarly, we prevent others from reaching their potential in what some would say ‘unexpected careers.’ Wang’s article talks about the discourse behind token Asian characters and their participation in reality TV competitions. Wang specifically mentions one Asian woman, Chloe Dao, who won a season of Project Runway, a fashion design TV show. She fled a war torn country, lived in her parents’ home in her mid-thirties, and became the ultimate definition of an American “rags to riches” story. Her story showed many minorities that the ‘American Dream’ is still alive, despite predicted stereotypes.

The recent film “Crazy Rich Asians” became a big deal this summer when it showcased Asian actors as lead characters as well as supporting. A parallel to the momentum this movie gave to minorities is “Black Panther,” a movie with a majority black cast. Both films came out this year and stirred up commentary on featured ethnicity in Hollywood. “Crazy Rich Asians” did not feature it’s Asian actors as stereotypical lawyers, doctors, gamers, and instead showed them as real people, going through real situations, and not being brushed off as the token predictable minority. At the same time, the film is able to make fun of these stereotypes, doing so even in the title of the film.

Crazy Rich Asians. Directed by Jon M. Chu, SK Global Entertainment, 2018.

Wang, Grace. "A Shot at Half-Exposure: Asian Americans in Reality TV Shows." Television & New Media,

   vol. 11, no. 5, 2010, pp. 404-25.