Hollywood Chinese [videorecording] : the Chinese in American feature films / a DeepFocus production ; producer, director, writer, Arthur Dong ; produced in association with the Center for Asian American Media.
Curse of Quon Gwon. That Chink at Golden Gulch. Heathen Chinese and the Sunday school teachers Chinatown, my Chinatown. Where's the chicken in the Chicken chow mein. Wise man say.
Notes:
Featuring: Turhan Bey, Joan Chen, Tsai Chin, Stephen Gong, James Hong, David Henry Hwang, Nancy Kwan, Christopher Lee, Ang Lee, James Leong Jr., Justin Lin, Lisa Lu, Luise Rainer, James Shigeta, Amy Tan, Wayne Wang, B.D. Wong. Originally produced in 2007. Special features (Disc 1): Imagining The Curse of Quon Gwon: a visit with the daughters of Violet Wong (9:40) ; image gallery: production stills. Accompanying study & discussion guide: 2nd ed. Includes filmmaker's statement, "Audience preparation : an exercise," discussion topics and activities, cast biographies, bibliographies, photo captions, and list of errata in DVD.
Contents:
Disc 1. Movie magic -- Cinematic memories -- Early Chinese images -- Chinatowns -- Movie: "The Curse of Quon Gwon" / Marion Wong (1916) -- Lotus blossom & Grandview films -- The good earth -- Anna May Wong -- Dragon seed -- Charlie Chan -- Fu Manchu -- Actor's dilemma -- World War II -- James Wong Howe -- Suzie Wong -- The last emperor -- Flower drum song -- Career paths -- Kung Fu -- James Hong -- Chan is missing -- The Joy Luck Club -- M. Butterfly -- The virility card -- Xiu Xiu -- Chinese from Asia -- Better luck tomorrow -- Progress and prospects. Disc 2. Special features (3 hrs, 30 min.): Vingate trailers ; Flower Drum Song world premiere news footage ; Early silents: Scene in a Chinese restaurant (1903, 0:17) -- Scene in San Francisco Chinatown (1900, 00:33) -- "That Chink at Golden Gulch" / director, D.W. Griffith (1910, 14 min.) -- "The heathen Chinese and the Sunday school teachers" (1904, 2:46) ; Soundies: "Chinatown, my Chinatown" (2:43) -- "Where's the chicken in the Chicken chow mein" (2:47) -- "Wise man say" (2:55) ; Gallery of movie memorabilia from pre-1950s films ; interview outtakes with the stars of Hollywood Chinese.
Summary:
Documents the representation and involvement of the Chinese in American cinema from the silent era to the 21st century. While celebrating their contributions to American filmmaking a haunting and telling undercurrent of racism and stereotypes weaves its way in, suggestive of the difficulties that Chinese men and women found working in Hollywood--particularly in the early years. As a historical footnote, Dong also makes film history by rediscovering and editing in footage from what is alleged to be the first Asian-American film ever made: the 1916 "The Curse of Quon Gwon," directed by Marion Wong.
OCLC:
(OCoLC)730533965
Locations:
SOAX911 -- Simpson College - Dunn Library (Indianola)
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.