Home > Bibliographies > AAST298J (Spring 2004)

Asian American Film Making by Matthew Kiang

Films

• Green Dragon. Dir. Timothy Linh Bui. Columbia TriStar, 2001.

Journal Articles on the Internet

• Feng, Peter. "In Search of Asian American Cinema (Race in Contemporary American Cinema, part 3)." Cineaste 21.1-2 (1995): 32-35. Date Accessed: 22 July 2006. <http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/InSearchofAsian.html>.

Newspaper or Magazine Articles

• Bui. Tony. "Becoming a Director: An Interview with Tony Bui." National Forum. Fall 1997: 32-36.

  This interview reveals challenges encountered by Vietnamese American director Tony Biu. Interestingly enough, he did not mention much about whether or not his race influences his directing.

• Clarke, Roger. "Film: Why Hollywood is Brimful of Asia." The Independent [UK] 20 Feb 2004.
• Fernandez, Jay A. "Director Pins Hope on his 'Better Luck.'" USA Today 15 April 2003: 10D.
• Daniel, Mac. "Movies; Deal Drugs, Commit Murder, Cram for Finals. With 'Better Luck Tomorrow,' Director Justin Lin Aims to Shatter the Myth of the Model Minority." Boston Globe 13 April 2003: N13.

  This is another good article about how Justin Lin tries to break the model minority stereotype of Asian American youth. Mac Daniel also offers an in depth discussion of the struggles Lin faced in his youth and how they influenced his movie.

• Gardner, Chris. "Culture & Society: US Film Maker to Shoot Vietnamese Short Story." Vietnam News Briefs 17 July 2003.

  Director Nguyen Vo Ngheim says he's all set to film a movie based on Son Nam's short story, "Mau Len Trau" which focuses on farmers living in the Mekong Delta's Don Thap province. Ngheim hopes to present his people's "culture and lifestyle to the world."

• Gardner, Chris. "Lin on 'Justice' Case for Fox Unit." Hollywood Reporter 16 Dec. 2002.

  This article shows that doors are opening for Asian American directors. Since the success of his movie Better Luck Tomorrow, Justin Lin is scheduled to direct a series for Fox in 2000 called The Tenth Justice. Another important note is the mention of how Roger Ebert defended Better Luck Tomorrow when it was criticized at the Sundance film festival. The article shows that Asian American directors are slowly making it in America.

• Graham, Bob. "Gene Cajayon; Filipino American film 'Debut' Getting Noticed." San Francisco Chronicle 24 April 2001: C1.

  This article offers the director of the The Debut, Gene Cajayon, a chance to speak about his film and his motivations. When mentioning that Hollywood didn't seem ready to accept his film, Cajayon says: "We may have given up on Hollywood, but we haven't given up on audiences." This article discusses the film as well as quotations from Cajayon explaining the hardships and challenges he faces as a filmmaker.

• Kim, Krista. "Korean director to Film 'Expats.'" Korea Herald 26 Feb. 2004.

  This article focuses on Wonsuk Chun, a Korean American director based in New York. His film, Expats will feature Hollywood stars though their identities have not been given. Chun says: "Korea is a very obscure place to Americans; it's in between China and Japan, with no identity of its own for the world to recognize. I want to create a visual picture of Korea for Americans." This article reveals another Asian American filmmaker who is trying to present his country to the American public.

• "Linda Mabalot." Daily Variety 18 June 2003: 14.

  This obituary serves mostly as a tribute to the achievements of Linda Mabalot, founder of the Asian Pacific Film and Video Festival. This festival is one of the major venues providing exposure for Asian American directors. Those who wish to pursue filmmaking should know about this woman. She died of lung cancer.

• Lota, Louinn. "North Korean Refugees Describe Atrocities; Appeal to U.S. Movie Director." Associated Press 1 March 2003.

  This article discusses how two North Korean refugees appealed to Steven Spielberg to make a movie about atrocities being committed in North Korea. Louinn speaks with the refugees about their painful memories of North Korea. Spielberg's spokesperson did not respond prior to the printing of this article.

• Macdonald, Moira. "Justin Lin steers clear of stereotypes in 'Better Luck."' Seattle Times 18 April 2003: H21.

  This article is about how Justin Lin counters stereotypes in Better Luck Tomorrow. In this film, Lin portrays Asian Americans with a different identity, challenging the stereotypes of nerdy, passive, dorky Asians.

• "Martial Arts Move to Movie Mainstream." Houston Chronicle 29 July 2001: 2.

  This short article explores the integration of Asian culture into American film by Asian American directors. Director Wayne Wang describes how martial arts have become integrated into American film. Despite the rising popularity of martial arts in Hollywood's films, Wang argues that most Hong Kong actors aren't immigrating and trying to make movies in America.

• "Modern China Comes to Terms with Last Emperor." Times [London] 9 Aug. 2000.
• Morgan, Kim. ''Windtalkers' Director John Woo Knows the Code for a Sweeping War Thriller." Oregonian 14 June 2002: 22.

  This is a review of the movie Windtalkers, but it quotes John Woo on his own ambitions and search for identity when directing films. He is quoted, "My movies are not just about action. They're about human nature." He also discusses some of his film making techniques. These discussions show that despite initial conflicts, John Woo is a respected film director in America. Stereotypes and racism haven't held him back from his goals.

• "Riding on the Back of Tiger's Success." South China Morning Post [Hong Kong] 28 March 2001: 3.

  This article explains the importance of Ang Lee's film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon among the Chinese American community. It won an Oscar and was a big success at the box office, highlighting interests in Chinese culture by mainstream American audiences. Lee credits the success of his movie to the hard work of Asian American filmmakers before him.

Newspaper or Magazine Articles on the Internet

• Chang, Young. "Asian-American Film Fest is About 'Pretty Much Everything.'" Seattle Times October 19, 2003. Date Accessed: 22 July 2006. <http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/web/>.
• Hartl, John. "Japanese Director to Get First U.S. Release" Seattle Times July 1, 2001. Date Accessed: 22 July 2006. <http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/web/>.

  This source gives an example of an Asian film that received attention from the American film industry. The film, Cure was picked up for American release because it had a unique and interesting plot. This article reveals interests in Asian films by America. It also references The Ring, another Japanese film that was remade by Hollywood.

• Lowe, Justin. "A New Perspective: 'Green Dragon' Brings Life to Vietnam Refugee Experience." Asian Week July 5, 2002. Date Accessed: 22 July 2006. <http://www.asianweek.com/2002_07_05/arts_dragon.html>.

  This review of the movie Green Dragon provides background information on the making of the film including location and budget. It also contains a very good summary and explanation of the issues raised in the movie, which can be used to relate to the identity crisis experienced by Vietnamese refugees.

• Plate, Tom. "Crouching Asian Tigers Stalk the Hollywood Dragon." Seattle Times August 27, 2002. Date Accessed: 22 July 2006. <http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/web/>.

  The integration of Asian influences in the American film industry is discussed in this article. It provides insight into how Asian influences are being incorporated into American films and the growing globalization of the film industry. It also discusses American protectionism against this "Asianization." This presents the merging identities represented by American and Asian film influences.

Websites

• 9th Annual Asian American Showcase. The Foundation For Asian American Independent Media. 2004. Date Accessed: 22 July 2006. <http://www.faaim.org/2004aa/2004-front.php>.

  This site covers the 9th Annual Chicago Asian American Showcase, a collaboration of some of the most influential and revolutionary art productions made within the last year. Better Luck Tomorrow and Who Am I? are among the films featured.

• Asian American Film & Video Database: Directors. Ed. Greg Pak. Pak Man Productions. 2006. Date Accessed: 24 July 2006. <http://www.asianamericanfilm.com/filmdatabase/filmmakers.html>.

  This is a database for those interested in finding the names of Asian American directors. While this site doesn't focus on the idea of how art influences or depicts identity, it is a good starting point for researchers. The database also provides email addresses of many Asian American filmmakers.

• Asian Cinema Weekly. Ed. Sungji Oh. 2004. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.kinoasia.com/>.

  Asian Cinema Weekly provides information on Asian American films and performing arts. Included is good variety of Asian American filmmakers as well as a link to the 2001 archives. This online magazine has many articles and links on Asian American filmmaking, however, it has not been updated since 2004.

• DC APA. Asian Pacific American Film, Inc. 2006. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.apafilm.org/>.
• "Dreaming Up an Ever Changing Destiny." America's Best: Ang Lee. 2001. CNN. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006 <http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/pro.alee.html>.

  The site discusses Ang Lee's history as an Asian American director including his time at film school as well as his major works. Focusing primarily on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Lee explains his desire to make a martial arts film came from both a mid-life crisis and childhood fantasy. This CNN report provides an excellent profile of this successful Asian American director.

• "Interview with Eric Byler: Discover the Passion that is Behind the Creation of the Film 'Charlotte Sometimes.'" 2003. USAsians.net. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://us_asians.tripod.com/articles-eric-byler.html>.

  USAsians.net is an online community that documents historical events in the Asian Pacific American community. In this particular interview, USAsians.net highlights director Eric Byler, who is half Chinese, half Caucasian, about his movie Charlotte Sometimes. Byler discusses his racial challenges, racial problems, inspirations, and makes suggestions to other Asian Americans pursuing a career in directing.

• "John Woo and the Art of the Action Movie." 2006. Hkfilm.net. Ed. Heil Koch. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.hkfilm.net/woobio.htm>.

  Hkfilm.net provides a very detailed but brief biography of John Woo and his experiences in the American film industry. Discussing his youth, beginnings in Hong Kong, and problems with American producers, this article provides a clear picture of the challenges faced by even well known and successful Asian American filmmakers. A useful bibliography is also included.

• Ragaza, Angelo. "Asian American Film Students Set Their Sights on the Silver Screen -- But the Competition is Cutthroat, and the Stakes Are High." A. Magazine. June/July 1994. Model Minority: A Guide to Asian American Empowerment. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://modelminority.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=223>.
• Russell, Jim. "Jim Russell Interviews Timothy Linh Bui." AsiaXpress.com. 8 Jun. 2002. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://asiaxpress.com/Articles/2002/jun/jim_interview_bui/1.htm>.

  This interview with Director Timothy Linh Bui explores his film Green Dragon. Bui also reveals personal information and how the film helped him understand his own identity and history.

• SAAFA. South Asian American Films and Arts Association. 2003. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.saafa.org/index.html>.

  This is the site for the South Asian American Film and Arts Association, an organization working to promote, educate, and reach out to South Asian American filmmakers.

• Smith, Claiborne. "A New Perspective: 'Asian American International Film Festival Offers Increasingly Diverse Program." 26 Jun. 2003. IndieWire. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.indiewire.com/ots/onthescene_030626asia.html>.
• Yoon, Cindy. "Interview with Lisa Denker, Director of 'Heart of the Sea.'" Asia Source. April 17, 2003. Asia Society. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.asiasource.org/asianamerica/lisadenker.cfm>.

  Linda Denker is interviewed by Asia Source about her film Heart of Sea, a portrait of Asian American surfer Rell Sunn. The film includes an interview with Sunn shortly before she dies of breast cancer. Yoon asks Denker why she made this documentary. In short, Denker wanted to portray the life of Rell Sunn and the conflicts that Rell experienced, as well as convey her lesson: "Whatever it is we love to do, when we can do it, that is when we are truly living."

• Yoon, Cindy. "Interview with Justin Lin, Director of 'Better Luck Tomorrow.'" Asia Source. April 2, 2003. Asia Society. Date Accessed: 23 July 2006. <http://www.asiasource.org/arts/justinlin.cfm>.