Andrew Hamlin
Northwest Asia Weekly
Filmmaker and author Arthur Dong, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scientists, watched hundreds of hours of film for his new curatorial series, “Hollywood Chinese: Chinese in Hollywood:” which begins Nov. 4 at the Los Angeles Academy Museum. The First 100 Years” film.
But according to Dong, the series, and the thousands of hours of movies he watched in total, can be traced back to a long-ago afternoon in his hometown of San Francisco.
“The first film that made me want to be a filmmaker was Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Flying Birds,'” recalls Dong. “I’m no older than 10. When that movie ends, it’s not the end at all, and that’s a big question. What will happen to these people?
“It just blew me away. I spent the next few days making up stories about them.”
He was still in high school and used his bedroom as a studio when he shot a short film. He worked in documentaries as an adult. One of the most important lessons he has learned over the years, he says, is trusting his interviewees and letting them, rather than himself, guide the development of the story.
His 2007 documentary “Hollywood Chinese” included footage from dozens of Hollywood films, as well as interviews with about 20 actors and filmmakers. Its mission is to record the history of the Chinese people with Hollywood eyes.
“There have been documentaries that have focused on certain aspects of the subject, but not the narrative arc I wanted, and this is the first 100 years [Hollywood] History,” Tong said. “So I said, ‘Okay, no one’s going to do that, and that’s where I come in.’ That’s my job. ‘”
This documentary took 10 years of researching and watching the film. His interviewees include Joan Chen, BD Wong, Ang Lee, Nancy Kwan, Lisa Lu, David Henry Hwang and Justin Lin.
Some of the most interesting points come from the non-Chinese actors involved in Yellowface — Christopher Lee, Louis Rayner and Turhan Bay.
“I have a certain feeling about Yellowface,” Dong explained, “but I really want to hear about their feelings, their experiences and their perspectives. What I’ve learned from each of them is that there are some situations , why an actor chooses a particular role, whether financial or artistic. Christopher Lee, if he doesn’t [Fu Manchu]then the cast and crew [working with him] There will be no work.
“But that doesn’t excuse the influence of Yellowface, which at the time deprived Chinese actors of the opportunity to play these roles. How it perpetuated a certain look and a certain demeanor that we saw as viewers.”
The series begins with screenings of “Hollywood Chinese” on November 4th. Dong herself moderated the post-screening discussion, moderated by Jacqueline Stewart, director and president of the Academy Museums.
Other highlights of the series include the evening of November 5, when James Hong, then 93, celebrated his staggering 68 years in the acting career by attending a screening of two of his most famous films, “Little China’s” Big Trouble” and “Black Widow.”
In the final episode on Nov. 27, Chinese-American women take care of themselves outside of Hollywood.
“Arch” has a Hollywood actress Lu Lisa and a female director Tang Shushun, but filmed in Hong Kong. Frustrated with contemporary conditions in Hollywood, Chen Chong traveled to mainland China and Tibet to film “Xiu Xiu: Girls Going to the Countryside,” a devastating story about China’s Cultural Revolution that landed her in trouble with Chinese censors. Chen himself will host the post-screening conversation.
When asked which films in the series represented the most pivotal turning points, Dong singled out “Hua Drum Song” and “The Joy Luck Club.”
“Flower Drum Song,” Dong explained, marked the first time that “Asian-American actors were in the majority. It’s about contemporary Chinese-Americans, but it’s also a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. So I think it’s about the American public.” very influential.
“Not until ‘The Joy Luck Club’ [a majority Asian cast] Happen again. From 1961 to 1993, do the math! Not only was it critically acclaimed, it was a box office success. That’s mostly Asian-American cast, and it’s definitely about contemporary Chinese-American characters. “
For more details on the “Hollywood Chinese: The First 100 Years” series, please visit academymuseum.org/en/programs/series/hollywood-chinese-the-first-100-years.
