Episode 3: Film & Asian Representation

Our group’s discussion revolves around Asian American representation in film which has become one of the most discussed topics in media and cultural studies today. Using films such as Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), Minari (2020), and Broken Blossoms (1919). We examine how these portrayals have changed over time and what they reveal about stereotypes in American society. This connects directly to Asian American Studies because it explores themes such as identity and generational experiences. Even today, Asian characters are often shown through limited stereotypes such as being seen as outsiders, overly foreign, or the “model minority.” These repeated acts affect how people view Asian Americans and how they view themselves, while also influencing confidence, belonging, and cultural identity. At the same time, the types of roles offered to Asian American actors are still limited by industry structures. Due to the differences in these perspectives, there is a gap in understanding between the perception of representation improvement and its actual state. In the podcast we will share stereotypical roles versus breakout roles given to Asians all while bringing up points to answer our research question: How has the representation of Asian Americans in media, particularly in the film industry, changed in recent years, and to what extent do these representations challenge or reinforce stereotypes such as the “model minority myth”?