In addition to the screening some incredible films and having some interesting conversations on visuals, cinematic techniques and casting. The 7th Annual Art of Brooklyn Film Festival (#AoBFF) discussed the representation of the Asian community in film. Having an All-Asian panel of filmmakers, actors, directors, and artists.
The panel consisted of:
- Actor – David Huynh
- Director – Anne Hu
- Director – Eddie Shieh
- Actress and Comedian – Becky Yamamoto
- Director – Victor Huey
- Actress – Celia Au
- Moderator – Dave Chan
So many gems were dropped by everyone on the panel as they were so passionately talking about their frustrations, their roles and their hopes.
During the conversation, moderator Dave Chan mentioned the series “Master of None” created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang. And Huynh had such a great response.
Chan: “In terms of forward steps, what do you guys think from acting, directing – what did these guys do right? What’s the direction they’re heading in?”
Huynh: “I love what the folks of Master of None said whenever they won the Emmy and I’m quoting but they basically said – shoutout to all the straight white guys, because of you guys dominating the industry for so long, literally anything we do is groundbreaking. I love that. Because looking at the first season of Master of None, it’s not really doing anything we haven’t seen before but because it’s being told through the lens of Aziz Ansari, Indian-American man, living in New York City, all of a sudden it’s fresh, it’s interesting, it’s from from a different perspective that we hadn’t considered before. And because of his life being in New York, all of these other supporting characters are so diverse and that allows for even more storytelling potential too. I love the show but it’s incredible how similar stories that we’ve seen before, just different faces, can be so refreshing.”
The conversation also continued with a discussion on the Asian American representation and their stereotyping in Hollywood. In which the Asian American female is hyper-sexualized and fetishized, while the Asian American man is de-sexualized. The panel expressed their frustration and an important question was raised, as to who is held accountable for these decisions and poor ‘cinematic choices’.
The answers ranged but the majority sided with whoever is in control of the movie, the director, the visionary, etc…
The discussion gave some great insight. It was honest, important, relevant and necessary. Especially considering today’s political climate and how tense everything is.
Artists, filmmakers and just simply, all creatives, have a responsibility to cultivate the truth and support creative expression. That responsibility comes with making sure that whatever they’re creating is respecting all groups of people.
