Commercial studio films helped shape many of the representational stereotypes of Asians in America, from the focus on Chinatowns and artificial homogeneity of Asian experiences. Each film also contests many conventional characterisations such as the effeminate Asian man and the ornamental Asian woman.
The films part of the Chinatown Origin Myths strand are:
DOUBLE BILL: King of Chinatown (1939, Nick Grinde) + Daughter of the Dragon (1931, Lloyd Corrigan)
Enter the Dragon (1973, Nick Grinde)
Flower Drum Song (1961, Henry Koster)
Big Trouble in Little China (1986, John Carpenter)
This is the first strand of the programme Constellating Histories: Encounting Asian American Diasporas Onscreen, running from 6 January to 19 March 2023 at Oldham Theatre.
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About the Programme
From Chinatown sagas, to experimental documentary, to musicals in Technicolor and punk-inspired chamber dramas, this series brings together a constellation of voices from the Asian American cinematic imaginary. The images, sounds, and narratives of these films express both a longing from the dispossessed for an unattainable homeland and a glee at having broken away from it.
For the full Constellating Histories: Encountering Asian American Diasporas Onscreen programme, please click here.
Tickets for Strand 1 – 3 of this programme will go on sale Wednesday, 21 December 2022.
Oldham Theatre’s opening hours
Friends of AFA members may select the “Friends of AFA” option and enter your membership number if you wish to redeem your remaining complimentary tickets.
For further assistance, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org
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