Notoriously misguided Asian stereotypes have been a problem in the media. They run the gamut from “Yellow Peril” archetypes, overly sexualized females, emasculated males, the perpetual foreigner and the model minority. Here is a timeline spanning from the 1920s until recently that explains some of these stereotypes in film:
Many similar stereotypes have occurred in television throughout time. This timeline spans from the 1950s until modern day, depicting various stereotypes found in shows that feature Asian characters:
*Note: While we should recognize that these stereotypes exist and be critical, it does not necessarily disqualify a lot of these movies/shows from being entertaining or contributing to Asian representation overall. Some films, such as the “Fu Manchu” ones, are overtly racist and troublesome; others, like “Kill Bill” are somewhat satirical in their portrayals.
Perhaps the earliest Hollywood stereotypes of this nature involved demonizing Asians as a potential threat to Western culture. This can be seen in World War II propaganda and in the villainous portrayal of Fu Manchu, a cruel and murderous mastermind. Charlie Chan, a goodhearted detective, later came along to mitigate that “evil” East Asian mentality. However, like Fu Manchu, he is emasculated and “othered,” or shown to be different from mainstream America. Both of these characters were largely played by white actors in makeup that made them appear Asian, a phenomenon known as Yellow Face.
Modern day film has made progress in avoiding some of these stereotypes. Still, movies such as “The Hangover” and “The Interview” depict Asians very negatively. These characters are exoticized and threatening to a white audience. For example, in “The Hangover,” the character Leslie Chow is portrayed as a villainous crime lord (akin to Fu Manchu), an emasculated male who makes references to his small genitalia (akin to Charlie Chan) and a perpetual foreigner with his accent and broken English.
Here, Mizota discusses Asian stereotypes that she has come across and talks about her well-known role as Fook Mi in “Austin Powers in Goldmember”:
*If video does not work, click on this link
Asian women are often reduced to Lotus Flowers or China Dolls, Dragon Ladies, and geishas and prostitutes; they are sexualized in all of these portrayals. They are seen as submissive in Lotus Flower/China Doll roles and domineering yet manipulative in Dragon Lady roles. Asian men are emasculated, often times as the “nerd” or “foreigner,” or conversely play roles such as martial artists, gang members and thugs.
In more recent times, Asian women and men alike face the model minority stereotype in which they are assumed to be high-achieving and successful in their careers. This could explain why Asian actors are often cast in traditionally prosperous career roles like doctors, nurses, lawyers and scientists. Actresses Diane Mizota and Chhaya Néné mention having been cast in these model minority roles.
“When I started acting, everyone wanted me to be a… nurse or a doctor,” says Néné.
“Like, I was a lab tech or a nurse or a doctor. I do a lot of reporters,” Mizota says.
Another stereotype that falls in line with this is the Tiger Mother (or Tiger Parents), a term coined by author Amy Chua; this is a strict parent who pushes her children to be high-achieving through more traditionally East Asian means. This type of strict parenting has been a source of controversy since it was brought to the media’s awareness.
Here, Takahashi discusses Asian stereotypes pertaining to men that he has noticed in the media:
*If video does not work, click on this link
“Of the roles that are available, unless you are a big name, you really just sort of get… maybe you’re the friend if you’re lucky. You’re never the lead. Maybe you’re the doctor,” says Mizota.
Despite having played Fook Mi in “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” Mizota has turned down parts — such as massage parlor girls and prostitutes — that were overtly sexual. She once went to an audition that did not pass out sides [a script]. When she arrived, she was told to pretend to perform fellatio on the movie star as part of the audition. Mizota walked out.
“No wonder they didn’t pass out the side before we got there,” she says.
Actress Stella Choe has auditioned, in the past, for “exotic” massage therapist roles with an accent. She remembers auditioning for a role on a very popular TV show and hoping to get the part.
“But why?” she asks, laughing.
“It’s such a hard balance because you want to go out there and you want to get a job. When I was younger, I was more willing to do those things,” she explains. “But as time has progressed, and maybe you see certain stereotypes that are being perpetuated, you feel like we need to change the conversation.”