Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase 2008

In rich detail that spans continents and generations, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE traces the representation of Asians in American cinema and the history of Chinese Americans in the Hollywood film industry. The documentary offers an important moment of validation for the many Americans of Asian descent who have made major contributions to American entertainment over the past 100 years, but often go unacknowledged or are quickly forgotten. HOLLYWOOD CHINESE brings this rarely told history to life using extraordinary footage from the silent film era to Academy Award-winning films from the present. The film clips are accompanied by commentary from key pioneers and visionaries in Asian American cinema including Joan Chen, Tsai Chin, Nancy Kwan, Lisa Lu, Amy Tan, James Hong, Ang Lee, Justin Lin, Wayne Wang and B.D. Wong.

Acclaimed documentarian, Arthur Dong, treats the surprisingly vast material with wit and fascination, revealing the existence of rare cinematic treats and contextualizing achievements and imagery. He elicits candor and reflection from his interviewees, allowing the audience to ponder the differences, however large or small, between exploitation and empowerment, between stereotype and real life. HOLLYWOOD CHINESE is essential viewing in the history of Asian American cinema. -- Konrad Ng

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