Anna May Wong, Still, Picadilly (1929)
Very briefly address the following questions based on the Takaki and Benshoff and Griffin readings:
What is Orientalism? What purpose does it serve? What are the images associated with this idea/ideology? Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were two recurring characters in Hollywood film. How would you describe these characters? What was unusual about the casting of the characters? Describe the “Dragon Lady” of Hollywood cinema? What actress was typically associated with these sorts of roles?
What economic, political and social circumstances led to the "Great Migration" of African-Americans to U.S. northern urban centers in the early 20th century? What impact did the Production Code of 1934 have on the use of African-American stereotypes and actors in Hollywood films? What were the economic and social challenges faced by African-American independent filmmakers emerging in the 1970s and 1980s? How is Spike Lee's career an example of the negotiation of critical and socially relevant filmmaking and the Hollywood industry?
What is Orientalism? It is the creation from a oversimplified stereotype that all people whether he/she was from China, India, Korea, or Malaysia. "Orientals had defining characteristics such as shifty behavior, broken English, and slanting narrow eyes that suggests mysterious behavior. It also is the Eurocentric notion of coming from the Oriental parts of the world and the interest in that.
ReplyDeleteWhat purpose does it serve? It tries to define people against one another.
What are the images associated with this idea/ideology? Since Asian people are often associated the exotic, seductive pleasurers, uncivilized, you get a sidekick in movies, mostly cooks, railroad attendants, laundry workers, and bad guys. Madame Butterfly was also another image in popular media. She was an Oriental woman who would do anything for the love of a Western man, even die.
How would you describe Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan?
These characters are both concoctions of American minds. The two characters were never actually played by actual Asian actors. Charlie Chan is a "good Asian." He was one who wanted to assimilate. He was a very educated detective, yet spoke broken English. Dr. Fu Manchu was the opposing "bad guy." He was a super criminal who wanted nothing to do with assimilation. He would use his Oriental tricks to bend innocent people to his will.
What was unusual about the casting of characters?
They were never played by Asian actors.
Describe the "Dragon Lady"?
She's the female equivalent of Fu Manchu, except she uses her sexuality to lure unsuspecting "white" males in.
What economic, political and social circumstances led to the "Great Migration" of African Americans to U.S. northern urban centers in the early 20th century?
After emancipation most black people had been forced to become sharecroppers and tenant farmers. They were dependent on white landlords and were enslaved by debts.
What impact did the Production Code of 1934 have on the use of African American stereotypes and actors in Hollywood films?
Self-censoring set of rules and regulations that Hollywood adopted in 1930 and imposed upon itself in 1934. It really didn't do much for Hollywood. Mulattoes were basically banned because myceganation was thought of as wrong. It made the African Americans appear less diverse as well.
What were the economic and social challenges faced by African American independent filmmakers emerging in the 1970's and 80's?
Blaxploitation was an issue in the seventies and eighties. The films took money out of the African American community and put it into rich white pockets of Hollywood.
How is Spike Lee's career an example of the negotiation of critical and socially relevant film making and the Hollywood industry?
He makes films that offer no easy answer to racial issues. He just puts them out there for the world to see without the soft haze that milder films create. They are relevant and people have taken notice. He has been acclaimed for the honesty in his work and that says we have come a long way.
part 1
ReplyDeleteWhat is Orientalism? Orientalism is how white Western cultures imagine the idea of Asia, it is not how Asian cultures actually are. Orientalism is a theory of how Europe and Western cultures defined itself by creating an image of the Orient. We started to identify Asians as the "other".
One image that represents orientalism is the butterfly from the opera Madame Butterfly where Asia is represented by the exotic, meek, and longsuffering Butterfly, a woman who would do anything for the Western man she loves including dying for him. Many Asian people find the term Oriental offensive and prefer the term "Asian" (Rugs are Oriental, but people are Asian). However even the term Asian American groups together many different nations and cultures which have their own specifity.
Charlie Chan was a Chinese American detective but was never played by an Asian actor. Chan became a stereotype of how Hollywood and White America depicted the Chinese, despite being a brilliant detective he spoke with broken English and made cryptic quips that suggested Confucius the Chinese philosopher or the predictions of American made fortune cookies. You also never learn about Chan's Chinese heritage or see his home life.
Whereas Charlie Chan attempted assimilation and was a "good" stereotype, Fu Manchu preferred world domination to assimilation and was a "bad" stereotype. Warner Oland a Swedish actor who played Charlie Chan also played Fu Manchu. Fu Manchu was evil and used "Orintal" tricks to rule the world through conspiracy, torture, and exploitation.
The Asian characters of Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were played by white actors in "yellowface".
The Dragon Lady was the female equivalent of Fu Manchu she was usually a spy or a criminal mastermind who used violence and her sexual wiles to entrap white heroes.
Chinese American actress Anna May Wong achieved stardom by portraying the Dragon Lady. Anna May Wong who was born Wong Liu Tsong adopted Anna May to break into Hollywood.
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Part 2
ReplyDeleteThe Great Migration" of African Americans into the north was caused by the African Americans' desire for a better life and the North's need for labor to run their factories. Even though the black man was now free they were sharecroppers and tenant farmers dependent on white landlords and were enslaved by debt. The North who due to WWI and a lack of European immigrants were facing tremendous labor shortages,factory managers started recruiting labor from the South.
The role of the African American was greatly reduced after the Production Code of 1934. The Tragic Mulatto invoked the idea of miscegenation which the Code had forbidden. Stereotypical characters like the Mammy who was a servant to white women and children became prevalent.
Melvin Van Peebles an African American filmmaker who made "Sweet Sweetback's Baaadasss Song in 1971 reflected the attitude of civil rights activists and was called a "revolutionary black film".
Hollywood seeing there was money to be made started making their own movies about urban black protaganists such as Gordon Parks "Shaft" also made in 1971. These movies became known as blaxploitation films because they exploited African American audiences by taking money out of African American communities to fill white Hollywood's bank accounts.
Spike Lee an African American independent filmmaker whose successful feature film "She's Gotta Have It" earned him a deal with a major Hollywood studio. After exploring racial tensions in "Do The Right Thing" Spike Lee solidified his position as the leading African American filmmaker of his generation.
What is Orientalism?
ReplyDeleteOrientalism is the way that Europeans and other white Western cultures imagine the idea of Asia, it is doesn’t refer to the actual Asian culture. Today Oriental can be offensive to Asian people.
What purpose does it serve?
It is used to define ones’ culture by defining themselves against an other.
What are the images associated with this idea/ideology?
For European nations the image of Orient became one of the exotic people, seductive and sensual pleasure, and potential lawlessness.
Another image of the Orient is the opera Madame Butterfly, a woman who would do anything for the western man she loves.
Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were two recurring characters in Hollywood film. How would you describe these characters?
Both were Asian American characters derived from literary sources that have been written by white men in the 1920s.
Chan was a smart detective with broken English, he was the hero. While Dr. Fu Manchu was the evil super criminal that uses Oriental tricks to bend the rest of the world to his will.
What was unusual about the casting of the characters?
Even though these were two Asian characters, the actors were never Asian.
The actor would were “yellowface” to look Asian.
Describe the “Dragon Lady” of Hollywood cinema?
The “Dragon Lady” was the female equivalent of Fu Manchu. She used violence and sexual wiles to entrap unsuspecting white heroes.
What actress was typically associated with these sorts of roles?
It was usually played white or Hispanic actresses such as Maria Montez, but also the Chinese American actress Anna May Wong played it.
What economic, political and social circumstances led to the "Great Migration" of African-Americans to U.S. northern urban centers in the early 20th century?
Economically, there was a lot of jobs and with good pay in the north, much more than what they could make in the south.
After World War I the number of European immigrants decreased from 1,200,000 in 1914 to 110,000 in 1918 which caused more open jobs in the north.
they were treated equally with the white, their children could go to the white school, and they were able to register and vote.
What impact did the Production Code of 1934 have on the use of African-American stereotypes and actors in Hollywood films?
The appearance of the African-American image was reduced after the production code. The Tragic Mulatto was used less and less. The hyper sexual implications of the Black Buck stereotype were also taboo to classical Hollywood filmmakers.
African American appeared most often in stereotyped supporting roles, and almost never in leading ones. The Production Code also prohibited showing interracial dance couples.
What were the economic and social challenges faced by African-American independent filmmakers emerging in the 1970s and 1980s?
Most of the films were cheaply made, even though money was taken from African-American community and given to Hollywood. The failure of African-American independent filmmakers to cross over and be seen by more audiences was a big problem.
How is Spike Lee's career an example of the negotiation of critical and socially relevant filmmaking and the Hollywood industry?
Spike Less was the leading African-American filmmaker of his generation, he was able to talk loudly in the press that white directors go over budget all the time without the studio threatening to take their films away. His first feature shes Gotta Have It was a big hit black and white comedy.
Also “Do the right thing” explored the racial tension in a small New York neighborhood.
Gabrielle Dietiker
ReplyDeleteOrientalism refers to the way that Eurocentric and other white Western cultures imagine the idea of Asia, it does not refer to how Asian cultures actually were or are. The purpose of the word Orientalism is a theory of how Europe and Western cultures defined itself by creating an image of the Orient. The images associated with this idea/ ideology is one of exotic people, seductive and sensual pleasures, and potential lawlessness. One of them most enduring images of the Orient is the opera Madame Butterfly, a woman who will do anything for the Western man she loves, including die for him.
Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were both seen as an Asian with superior intellect who is potentially untrustworthy because of his mysterious behavior. Chan always played a hero while Dr. Fu Manchu was a villain. Both characters were derived from stories that a white man had written in the 1920‘s. Both Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were played by white actors who wore “yellowface”.
“Dragon Lady” became a female role of Fu Manchu. The character was usually a spy or crimial mastermind. She did not only use violence but her sexual wiles to enslave unsuspecting white heroes. Actress Anna May Wong is typically associated with the “Dragon Lady” roles.
The Great Migration" of African Americans into the north was caused by the shortage of European immigrants working in factories because of World War One. So the North started hiring from the South. African American now “free” were still trapped by debt.
Because of the Production Code of 1934 the range of African American images presented in films decreased. The Tragic Mulatto and the Black Buck were used less and less while the Comedic Coon stereotype remained. Needless to say they still always played the supporting role.
During the 1970s and 1980s blaxploitation films came about. Blaxploitation filmmaking also provided new and greater opportunities for African American artist in hollywood. The only problem was the films took money from African Americans and put it in the pockets of white men.
Spike Lee’s films offer no easy solutions to Americas racial problems. When Warner Brothers threatened to take Malcolm X away from Lee because they said he went over budget, Lee didn’t hand it over quietly, he told the press that white directors go over budget all the time with out getting the movies taken away.
The term “Orientalism” refers to white European and Western culture’s perception of Eastern cultures, or Asian decent. This perception is based heavily on stereotypes or physical characteristics as a means of categorization. In no way does Orientalism actually represent Asian culture. It’s important to understand the term as one cultures reflection on a world region and it’s people. Its purpose is to define ones’ culture against another—a means of segregation and categorization. In some ways the term may be viewed as racist considering it’s position as a point-of-view generalizing ethnicity, culture, and geographical location. The origins of Orientalism are strongly rooted in European travels Eastward, and a growing understanding of “the Orient.”
ReplyDeleteIn white European and Western cultures, images or concepts, such as being exotic, practicing seductive pleasures, and socially uncivilized acts, or lawlessness, tie into the ideology of Orientalism. This is seen in examples such as Madame Butterfly, an Asian woman with a life dedicated to the love of a Western man.
In Hollywood film Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan represented two recurring characters of Chinese-American heritage, not actually played by Asian actors, but rather actors transformed using “yellowface,” and invented by white men in the 1920’s. There was the image of being “good,” played by Charlie Chan, with dreams concerning assimilation, as well as the “bad,” played by Dr. Fu Manchu, who focused on crime, rebellious behavior, and reluctance to conform. Every aspect of their characters was based on white America perceptions, and the broader social categorization of Orientalism. For instance, although Chan’s character was a very educated individual he still spoke with broken English, and played into the conception associated with Orientalism. Both characters quickly became a stereotype for Chinese culture.
The “Dragon Lady” represents the female equivalent of the Dr. Fu Manchu character. Her tools of deception (badness) were strongly based on violence, and sexuality as a means of luring the white, male “heroes” of a given story. Her character also quickly became a stereotype of Chinese culture. Anna May Wong, who played the Dragon Lady, instantly became identified with the character--the pop icon of a stereotype.
After the abolishment of slavery and emancipation most African-American citizens found themselves stuck in the same situations and living conditions. They took jobs as sharecroppers and tenant farmers, drastically being taken advantage of, and given little room to move up in society. During the duration of WWI the number of European immigrants drastically depleted, and left a gap in the factory work forces of the North. African-Americans filled this gap as they traveled North in search of better paying jobs and dreams of social equality.
ReplyDeleteThe range of African-American images presented in films decreased with the Production Code of 1934. While certain stereotypes became rarely used, examples such as the “Comedic Coon” remained. They were shown a minimal amount of respect, as opposed to none, but were still never cast as a leading roll or driving character.
“Blaxploitation” films came around during the 70’s and 80’s, and provided bigger opportunities for African-American filmmakers and actors in Hollywood. Although the black population was finally given the opportunity to play major Hollywood roles and executive positions they were still kept one step under the money. They also had a hard time finding a nitch that all movie-viewers could understand or relate with.
When Spike Lee felt threatened by studio executives, or mistreated due to his race, he wouldn’t remain quiet about it. He wanted the public to have a clear view of any unfair, or unequal, practices behind the scenes in Hollywood. For instance, Warner Brothers threatened to take Malcolm X from Lee for going over the studio budget. Knowing many directors go over budget he presented the situation to the press for public view and opinion. What made him such an iconic filmmaker was his ability to touch black and white communities, and discuss social injustice from an emotional and realistic perspective. Films like “Shes Gotta Have It,” and “Do the Right Thing,” put him on the map, clearly displaying his ability to chime social reality.
Part 1
ReplyDelete'Orientalism' is the western/European culture's imagination of what 'Asia' is, constructed from the need to 'define oneself by what they are not'. It is exotic, sensual, and seductive with the potential of lawlessness due to this 'indulgence'. This likely stems from the stereotype of the 'docile Asian woman', who serves her partner/husband obediently (opening the door for male dominance and perversion). Orientalism also has the connotations of mystery and secret knowledge (almost magical), leading to the untrustworthy and potentially malicious image that is pushed to the extremes with the Dr. Fu Manchu character.
Dr. Fu Manchu is a character defined by his criminal genius and malicious intent, with his refusal to integrate into western culture further categorizing these traits with the 'orient'. His sadistic nature coupled with his more exotic forms of torture made him interesting and horrifying at the same time, able to shock the audience with Hollywood flare. Charlie Chan on the other hand, was depicted as beneficial and non-threatening, solving mysteries even white detectives couldn't with Sherlock Holmes logic and reasoning. This made use of the 'secret knowledge' aspect of 'orientalism' and turned it on it's head, redistributing the intelligence involved to the more western 'deductive reasoning' that Sherlock Holmes came to symbolize. Both of these character, however, were played by actors of European descent in 'yellow-face'.
The 'Dragon Lady' is similar to the female equivalent to the Dr. Fu Manchu, being mysterious and malicious to the white male heros. However, she would make use of the seductive qualities of 'orientalism' to further trick and confuse the hero. Chinese American actress Anna May Wong became the leading embodiment of this character type, but left America when dissatisfied by the type-casting and negative connotation involved with it.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteAfter the Civil War, black farmers were dependent on white landowners, and were soon enslaved by debt. During WWI, with most of its lower-class factory workers fighting in the war, there was a shortage of workers. Factory managers then extended offers of employment to the blacks in the south, which were accepted in order to escape their life of debt on the farms.
The Production Code of 1934 attempted to remove the ideas of miscegenation, having the effect of effectively removing the 'Tragic Mulatto' and the 'Black Buck' from the screen. This left the remaining representations as the non-threatening and almost childish 'Coon', 'Uncle Tom', and 'Mammy'. This only allowed African-American actors to appear in supporting roles and racially demeaning roles, though a few actors managed to imbue a sense of dignity and self-respect into even these.
The economic and social challenges faced by African-American filmmakers in the 70's and 80's were the more aggressive second-generation civil rights activists and blaxploitation films. The black population was looking for a more assertive and aggressive image of black pride, seeing the work of actors like Sidney Poitier, Stepin Fetchit, and Hattie McDaniel as too slow or even embarrassing. This lack of a more dignified character often portrayed by Poitier left a gap in the 'substance' seen in earlier independent filmmakers and their target audiences. This made it easy for Hollywood to release their cheap blaxplotation films, using their 'fighting the Man' aspects to become highly popular with the new generation.
Spike Lee's career is an example of negotiating the 'substance' of the independent film and the Hollywood industry by his actions during the making of 'Malcolm X'. When threatened to have the project taken from him due to budget issues, Lee explained to the press the situation when a white filmmaker goes over budget. By bringing public pressure through discussion and pointing out facts that are often overlooked due to the 'invisibility' of whiteness, negotiation between the industry and the individual can be accomplished. His movies themselves, while capable of being highly entertaining, are filled with questions on racial identity without giving the 'happy Hollywood ending'. Without these simple answers, the view is challenged to think, discuss, and come to their own answers themselves.
"Orientalism" is what we as Americans (or westerners) perceive Asia and its inhabitants to be. Most of these perceptions are based on stereotyes of the exotic and the unknown. Different stereotypes tie into the idea of Orientalism, such as exoticism, sensuality, seductive sexual acts, and foreign social customs.
ReplyDeleteDr. Fu Manchu is an interesting character who refuses to integrate into western culture. He is viewed as a criminal and has the stereotypical facial hair, which is known today as the "Fu Manchu." To most audiences he was not only interesting but frightening as well, as he presented ideas that were foreign to the general American public.
Charlie Chan, on the other hand, was viewed as a more positive and knowledgeable figure who solved mysteries. This may play on the stereotype that Asians are smart.
It is interesting that both characters were played by actors of European descent using a new form of entertainment - "yellow face."
The Dragon Lady may be the female version of Dr. Fu Manchu - sexy, exotic, and foreign.
“Orientalism” is a social construct existing in America applying to persons from primarily Asian decent. Takaki suggests that “Orientalism” is similar to a “Negroization” process that victimized persons with black skin. It allows for discrimination, and reinforces a sense of white hierarchy in culture. Images associated with this idea include almond shaped eyes, yellowish skin, dragons, rice, and other common “Asian” themes. I would describe the characters of Charlie Chan and Dr. Fu Manchu as portraying typical stereotypes that Americans might have of Asian people. Neither of these characters were played by persons of Asian decent. The “Dragon Lady” is the female stereotype of an Asian woman. Instead of using cunning tactics, and intelligence, her character uses the idea of sexual fantasies and exotic desires to woe white men.
ReplyDeleteThe “Great Migration” was influenced by emancipation, and the former slaves still worked farms under white ownership. The opportunities for African Americans were much greater in the north. The 1934 production code caused less usage of the African-American stereotype in films. In the 70s and 80s, there wasn’t sufficient funding or opportunities to allow African-American independent film-makers to “take-off.” Spike Lee’s career depicts a leading film producer at this time, and his films offer the notion that there is no simple solution to segregation ideals, and that race was extremely complex, and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Orientalism is the portrayal of Asian cultures. It generally has a negative theme associated with it. Oriental cannot be used to describe Asian people because it is not a country of origin. As the books said, “oriental is a rug not a person”.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the images associated with this idea/ideology?
Asians were typically portrayed as being foreign and mystical. They eat exotic foods and dress in robes. It is from these images that Dragon Lady and Dr. Fu Manchu came to be.
Describe Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan?
Dr. Fu Manchu was the evil villain who used “oriental tricks” to thwart assimilation. Charlie Chan was the well educated detective who used his education to solve problems.
What was unusual about the casting of characters?
Neither Dr. Fu Manchu nor Charlie Chan was played by Asian actors. They were instead portrayed by white actors using “yellowface”
Describe the "Dragon Lady"?
The Dragon lady was the evil villain similar to Dr. Fu Manchu. She would use her sex appeal to trick the white males.
What economic, political and social circumstances led to the "Great Migration" of African Americans to U.S. northern urban centers in the early 20th century?
After slaves were freed, most of them became sharecroppers. While there was much more factory jobs in the North, many African Americans depended on southern white landlords and were enslaved by debt.
What impact did the Production Code of 1934 have on the use of African American stereotypes and actors in Hollywood films?
The production code of 1934 really hindered African Americans in Film. The tragic Mullato was gradually fading out. It was around this time blackface and the coon stereotype came about.
What were the economic and social challenges faced by African American independent filmmakers emerging in the 1970's and 80's?
Blaxploitation was the biggest challenge facing African American filmmakers in the 1970s. The Blaxploitation films took money out of the African American community, and made the rich white men even richer.
How is Spike Lee's career an example of the negotiation of critical and socially relevant film making and the Hollywood industry?
Spike Lee makes films that deal with social and racial problems. He made a film about the little girls killed in the church bombing in Alabama. One of his most notable films is Malcolm X. When Lee almost lost Malcolm X for going over budget, he complained and said that white directors go over budget all the time.
Orientalism is the way that Europeans and other white Western cultures imagine the idea of Asia, it is doesn’t refer to the actual Asian culture. Today Oriental can be offensive to Asian people. The purpose of it is to define ones’ culture by defining themselves against another. Oriental image became one of the exotic people, seductive and sensual pleasure, and potential lawlessness.
ReplyDeleteDr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were two recurring characters in Hollywood film, both were Asian American characters derived from literary sources that have been written by white men in the 1920s. Dr. Fu Manchu was an evil criminal that uses oriental tricks to bend the res of the world to his will. What was unusual about orientalism was that the actors were never really Asian. They were made to look Asian using “yellowface”.
The woman’s version of Fu Manchu was called the Dragon Lady. She used violence and sexual ways to trap white heros.
One of the most crucial economic push factors for the migration from the South up North was the wage. Wages were much better for them in the north. European immagrants decreased in 1914 which caused more jobs to open up in the north.
Another reason why African Americans moved to the north was that the north offered education for their children. African Americans were also able to register and vote in the north.
After the Production Code of 1934, the appearance of African Americans was reduced. Thee Mulatto character was used less. The Production Code also banned the appearance of interracial dance couples.
Economically, the movies were made very cheaply regardless of the fact that the money used was originally taken from African American members of the community.
What is Orientalism?
ReplyDeleteBasically, Orientalism is the American stereotype of any person who is of Asian decent. The key word is stereotype which does give a factual view of how Asians act and live.
What purpose does it serve?
It is used to define or characterize Asians amongst other cultures.
What are the images associated with this idea/ideology? Exotic, seductive, and sensual pleasures are the images associated with this idea or ideology. The opera Madame Butterly is an example of this image. She is a woman who will do anything for the man she loves, including dieing.
Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were two reoccurring characters in Hollywood films, how would you describe them?
There both Asian Americans who wore "yellow face", derived from literary sources, written by white men in the 1920s.
Dr. Fu Manchu was an evil criminal, while Chan was an honest and trustworthy detective or officer.
What was unusual about the casting of these characters? They were never played by Asian actresses, and they would wear "yellow face" to look Asian.
Describe the "Dragon Lady" of Hollywood cinema? She is the female equivalent of Dr. Fu Manchu, who uses her sexuality to lure "white" males to their certain doom.
What actresses was usually associated with these roles? Hispanic or white people usually played these roles.
What economic, political and social circumstances led to the "Great Migration" of African-Americans to U.S. northern urban centers in the early 20th century? African Americans' desire for a better life and the North's need for labor to run their factories.
What impact did the Production Code of 1934 have on the use of African-American stereotypes and actors in Hollywood films? The appearance of the African-American image was reduced after the production code, such as mulattoes.
What were the economic and social challenges faced by African-American independent filmmakers emerging in the 1970s and 1980s?
Blaxploitation, which took money from African Americans and gave it to Holloywood (white men).
How is Spike Lee's career an example of the negotiation of critical and socially relevant film making and the Hollywood industry? Spike lee makes films that offer no real answer to racial issues. These films are relevant and people have taken notice. He has been known for the honesty in his work and says we have come a long way.