When Miyoshi-sama says Sayonara to her Oscar
- 4 months ago
Asian artists have achieved great success in Hollywood, in recent years, but getting that seat at the table has not been easy. Asian stars of the past like Anna May Wong, Sessue Hayakawa, and Miyoshi Umeki paved the way through challenging paths. Their journeys are a tale of resilience, adversity, and strength on the quest for authentic representation.
Wong, Hayakawa, and Umeki dealt with constant typecasting into stereotypical roles, despite their undeniable star talent. Their experiences underscore the serious challenges faced by Asian women and men in breaking free from stereotypes.
Beyond limited film choices, these stereotypes also meant financial hardships. Anna May Wong received unequal pay in 'Daughter of The Dragon’ in comparison to her white costar, even though she had a larger role. Even Miyoshi Umeki, who won a 1958 Oscar for 'Sayonara,' was confined to submissive Asian female roles, showcasing the challenging choices confronting minority actors. Hayakawa faced major criticism from the Japanese-American communities for perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes as an Asian man in Hollywood.
While recent progress in Asian representation deserves celebration, lingering challenges persist. The industry must learn from the struggles of these trailblazers to ensure meaningful representation and break free from the historical erasure of Asians in Hollywood. The legacies of Wong, Hayakawa, and Umeki continue to shape the narrative for future generations of Asian artists.
Credits
Host
Jenapher Zheng
Created by
Ruolin Luyo
Editor-in-Chief
Keshia Hannam
Head of Production
Stephanie Tangkilisan
Senior Producer
Joy Jihyun Jeong
Post Production Coordinator
Skolastika Lupitawina
Assistant Editor
Rendy Abi Pratama
Color
Nadya Sabrina
Additional Music
DaniHaDani - Bluming
Ian Post - The Hollow
Jakub Pietras - Femme Fatale
Kevin Graham - Where Were Going
Marco Martini - Theory of Lost Memories
Max H. - Childhood
Max H. - Empty Room
Max H. - She Arrives in New York
Michael Ellery - Myth
Nim Sadot - The Spectrum Boys
Nono - Agitato
Wong, Hayakawa, and Umeki dealt with constant typecasting into stereotypical roles, despite their undeniable star talent. Their experiences underscore the serious challenges faced by Asian women and men in breaking free from stereotypes.
Beyond limited film choices, these stereotypes also meant financial hardships. Anna May Wong received unequal pay in 'Daughter of The Dragon’ in comparison to her white costar, even though she had a larger role. Even Miyoshi Umeki, who won a 1958 Oscar for 'Sayonara,' was confined to submissive Asian female roles, showcasing the challenging choices confronting minority actors. Hayakawa faced major criticism from the Japanese-American communities for perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes as an Asian man in Hollywood.
While recent progress in Asian representation deserves celebration, lingering challenges persist. The industry must learn from the struggles of these trailblazers to ensure meaningful representation and break free from the historical erasure of Asians in Hollywood. The legacies of Wong, Hayakawa, and Umeki continue to shape the narrative for future generations of Asian artists.
Credits
Host
Jenapher Zheng
Created by
Ruolin Luyo
Editor-in-Chief
Keshia Hannam
Head of Production
Stephanie Tangkilisan
Senior Producer
Joy Jihyun Jeong
Post Production Coordinator
Skolastika Lupitawina
Assistant Editor
Rendy Abi Pratama
Color
Nadya Sabrina
Additional Music
DaniHaDani - Bluming
Ian Post - The Hollow
Jakub Pietras - Femme Fatale
Kevin Graham - Where Were Going
Marco Martini - Theory of Lost Memories
Max H. - Childhood
Max H. - Empty Room
Max H. - She Arrives in New York
Michael Ellery - Myth
Nim Sadot - The Spectrum Boys
Nono - Agitato