Racism In Film Analysis

Racism in American Film Industry: Whitewashing and Discrimination of Asians in Film

Racism has been present in American film from its very beginning. In twentieth century yellow face was a way to ‟represent” East Asians in the film. Make up was used to make someone look East Asian, very often as a caricature. Unfortunately, it is still possible to come across yellow face in recent productions. The other problem is the whitewashing of popular Asian characters in Hollywood productions. It is undeniable that the basis for whitewashing and yellow face is racism. Despite the fact that in the United States Asian

Americans make up more than 17 million of citizens , they are less noticeable in American culture than representatives of

Despite allegations of racism and indignation of the Asian American part of the audience, the film was a blockbuster and got seven nominations for the Oscars. The whitewashing also occurred in Avatar: The Last Airbender. The selection of cast was controversial and poorly received. In the cartoon, which the film was based on, all characters were Asian. The producers of the movie decided to change the race of three protagonists to white, but they left the villain as a person of color. By racist divisions like this one, filmmakers contribute to creating a negative image of Asian people.

It is very hard for actors of Asian descent to function in the American film industry. The most prosaic reason of discrimination of them is money. According to Tom Brook, there is a conviction in Hollywood, that white actors provide higher earnings in box offices, than those of other races. Of course, there are the world famous actors of Asian descent: Jackie

Chan or Lucy Liu, who do not have problems with getting the well-paid roles in

By the commercialism of Hollywood it is harder for the Asian American actor to stand out, get a significant role, and stabilize professional position. It would be easier for Asian Americans to accomplish a lot more in American film if there was no yellow face solution. By using makeup, filmmakers can give the roles of Asian characters to white actors, who will attract the viewers. It is often grotesque and offensive for Asians. It bases on characteristic eyes makeup and stereotypical accent. The filmmakers often create the character basing on stereotypes about Asians: they speak bad English, are computer maniacs, or are mostly poor, and are eating rice for every meal. In recent productions, such as Cloud Atlas the stereotypes are not much abusive, but characterization is very bad and the characters who are yellow faced looks more like aliens than like Asians.

Another very offensive example of yellow face is the role of the Japanese rabbi in Now I

Pronounce You Chuck and Larry played by Rob Schneider : his appearance was dramatic, because of trying to make this character look as Asian as it was possible, he also spoke bad

English. The role was criticized as an offensive