Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood (2019)

Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood Poster

A history of anti-Asian racism and yellowface in Hollywood after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.

Intro
"Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Bigotry in Hollywood" is a 2019 documentary film that checks out the history and the extreme ramifications of whitewashing - particularly, the casting of white actors in Asian roles - in the American movie market. The movie challenges the audiences with the enduring concern of methodical racial predisposition and discrimination that is deeply rooted in Hollywood productions.

The Problem of Whitewashing and Yellowface
The movie begins by specifying "Yellowface" as a practice where white actors are made up to portray Asian characters. These representations are frequently based on racial stereotypes, producing caricatured and offensive representations of Asian individuals. The documentary evaluates renowned Hollywood films throughout years, such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Ghost in the Shell", to expose the habitual and damaging practice of whitewashing. The film postulates that such racial predisposition not only rejects chances to deserving Asian stars but also misrepresents Asian cultures to worldwide audiences.

Influence on Asian-Americans in Hollywood
Highlighting real-life statements and experiences, "Yellowface" reveals how this pervasive practice has adversely affected Asian-American stars in Hollywood. Almost every Asian-American star who shared their story in the film has experienced firsthand the restricting and bias-ridden scope of functions offered to them. Such roles typically strengthen stereotypes, leaving little room for Asian actors to display their versatility and acting expertise. This systemic predisposition even more solidifies the western-centric stories and ultimately leads to the underrepresentation of Asian-Americans both on-screen and behind the scenes.

Effects Beyond the Entertainment Industry
"Yellowface" suggests that the problem of whitewashing reaches beyond the entertainment industry. Hollywood films, widely consumed and influential, shape global understandings. Therefore, the consistent marginalization and misrepresentation of Asians in films can contribute to predisposition and prejudice in the real life. The movie triggers audiences to think about how inaccurate cultural representations on-screen can negatively impact individuals from those cultures in their daily lives.

A Call to Action
Towards completion, "Yellowface" urges the audiences not just to recognize and seriously examine such offending practices, but also play their part in challenging them. It highlights the importance of supporting Asian actors and filmmakers who aim to create genuine, culturally delicate stories. The film features activists dedicated to causing a change in Hollywood, who motivate viewers to voice their issues against such racial bias, therefore pressurizing Hollywood to reform its casting process.

Conclusion
"Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood" is a compelling, thought-provoking documentary that puts a spotlight on a deeply ingrained bias within Hollywood-- whitewashing. As it repudiates the practices of Yellowface and whitewashing and highlights the damage they cause, the movie calls for mindful and concerted efforts to challenge bigotry and discrimination on the planet of movie theater. It advises us of the powerful influence media has on shaping our understanding of cultures, prompting us to critically evaluate what we take in and champion representation and authenticity in films.

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