Views and Visions: Asians come to Hollywood Part 1

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. be on the verge of tears / bee ɒn ðə vɜrdʒ əv tɪərz / (idiom) – to be about to cry
    Example:

    Jenna was on the verge of tears after hearing that she failed the exam.


  2. move (someone) / muv / (idiom) – to cause someone to feel strong emotions, such as sadness, joy, or inspiration
    Example:

    Jun’s speech about success despite hardship moved the audience.


  3. straddle / ˈstræd l / (v.) – to put or mix two or more things, such as styles, subjects, etc., together
    Example:

    The new song straddles different types of music like pop, rock, and jazz.


  4. protagonist / proʊˈtæg ə nɪst / (n.) – the main character in a story
    Example:

    The film’s protagonist is a superhero who got his powers from a magic fruit.


  5. upbringing / ˈʌpˌbrɪŋ ɪŋ / (n.) – the way a child is raised and educated
    Example:

    I had a very strict upbringing. I wasn’t allowed to stay out late until I turned 18.


Article

Read the text below.

“I was on the verge of tears throughout the movie,” said a friend recently. It surprised me because she had watched an action film: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.


My friend, who has a Chinese mother and an American father, explained why the film moved her. “I never expected to see someone like myself on the big screen. People who switch between two languages and straddle two cultures. In a superhero film no less.”


Shang-Chi is the first Marvel film with an Asian lead: Its protagonist is a Chinese man who has moved to San Francisco. Not only does the dialogue consist of both English and Mandarin, its cast includes a relatively large number of Asians with a mixed heritage or upbringing. For example, lead actor Simu Liu was born in China and migrated to Canada when he was 5. Awkwafina was born in New York to a Chinese American father and a Korean mother. And Fala Chen is a Hong Kong actress born and raised in China who migrated to the U.S. at 14.


After watching the film, I could relate to what my friend had said. Having grown used to non-Asians playing Asian characters in American-accented English, it felt a little surreal to see Asian actors playing Asian characters, speaking an Asian language in a Hollywood blockbuster. (Tan Ying Zhen)


To be continued…


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The author has grown used to non-Asians playing Asian characters in American-accented English, so it felt surreal to see Asian actors playing Asian characters, speaking an Asian language in a Hollywood blockbuster. Do you think Shang-Chi would’ve become a blockbuster if non-Asian actors had been cast in it? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how will the presence of Asian actors affect the future of Hollywood films? With the growing popularity of Asian entertainment (ex. Korean drama series, Japanese animated films) all over the world, do you think more Asian actors will be cast in Hollywood films? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think it’s necessary for actors to learn a new language for a role? If not, how can actors portray their roles realistically (ex. have their voices dubbed in another language, change their look)? Why? Discuss.
  • With many Asian actors/actresses making it to Hollywood, do you think learning Asian languages will become a trend in the US? Why or why not? Discuss.