“We Are All One” or “當我們站起來” is a 10-minute sci-fi fantasy short film I recently completed that explores the touchy subject of how Asians (especially Asian men) are treated and portrayed in Western mass media and how it affects the perception of Asians in Western society. It features a Chinese student living in North America who wonders how things could be different if his people were the dominant race on Earth. When he’s warped into an alternate universe where the Chinese are indeed the dominant race, he discovers that things are not what he expected.
The film is not for those easily offended; however, this is the internet so I’ve got my flame suit on and I’m expecting a lot of flak regardless. I hope you find the film interesting and if you like it, share it with your friends. If you don’t like it, sound off!
More About the Film:
For as long as the medium of film has existed, from “yellowface” Charlie Chan films to Breakfast At Tiffany’s to Sixteen Candles and most recently The Hangover films, Asians in North America (especially men) have been heavily stereotyped, desexualized and ridiculed.
Growing up in North America, I have witnessed a lot of Hollywood films depicting Asians in a stereotyped / negative light. They are made fun of, depicted as nerdy and weak, never “get the girl” in a film, or take a backseat to a Caucasian character for no good reason other than racism (Bruce Lee in Green Hornet). I made this film to show people that there is a genuine inequality in the mass media and we should never look at things without asking questions.
However, instead of attacking the sensitive subject of racial discrimination in the mass media head-on, I decided to create a film based on a script I wrote for my thesis film in film school that asks viewers to rethink what films are actually trying to imply when they are made.
I hope to be able to open the minds of viewers about how Hollywood films brainwash the masses with storylines and characters that cater to their ideologies and not necessarily present what is true (if you tell a lie a thousand times, it becomes the truth).
Ultimately, the theme of this film is how power, not race, dictates human behaviour, as whoever controls the mass media will ultimately be able to subconsciously influence our perception of one another.
Frequently Asked Questions / Comments:
Q: Low budget? How did you get those 300 Koreans in the film?
A: Coincidence!
Q: I’m a Black / Hispanic / Asian etc. woman and I’m offended that there were no women of colour in this film! You love white women only! You’re a racist!
A: Look closely, there’s actually a Middle Eastern / brown woman in one of the posters. Also, there were roles offered to women of colour in the film and they were included in the script, however it just so happened that on the days of filming they couldn’t make it and their roles were filled with women who happened to be Caucasian / of fair skin. I didn’t purposely omit women of colour in this film. I love women of all colours!
Q: I’m from Mainland China and I’m upset that you depicted us as under one banner with Taiwan!
A: It’s just a sci-fi fantasy film. Chill out. I’m Chinese-Canadian born in Hong Kong. I love everyone.
Q: I’m from Taiwan and I’m upset that you depicted us as under one banner with China!
A: It’s just a sci-fi fantasy film. Chill out. I’m Chinese-Canadian born in Hong Kong. I love everyone.
Q: I’m Japanese / Korean / South East Asian / etc. and I’m upset that you left us out!
A: It’s a short film. I cannot possible fit every single person in the world in a short film!
Q: I’m Caucasian and I’m offended! You’re a racist!
A: After a century of racist Hollywood films, I think I’m entitled to make a film how I see fit for my Asian audience. You should have seen the original script!
Q: I’m a human being and I thought this was brilliant!
A: Thank you. Please help spread the word and post this link to your social media networks!
