Review of an Asian film

[Anonymous]

I do not know how you could have seen this film since it has not been released yet. As I wrote in my post, it is still in post-production.
So, unless you attended a certain event (you should know the event names and dates), then I seriously doubt that you saw it.

Students can relate to the feeling of being out of place: an African-American in Africa, a Latino-American in Latin America and an Asian-America in an Asian country. Somehow people from these ethnicities are expected to instictively know how one is to behave; although it is painfully clear to visitors to foreign countries (except Canada) that African-American culture is separate and distinct from those in the continent of Africa. which is also true of Latino-Americans in Latin America and for Asian-Americans in Asia. We can not walk into the land of our ancestors and simply divine its social mores, customs, and norms.

"America Town" can be used as a supplement to a social studies unit (sociology and psychology) on cross-cultural communication and social norms. For example, in "America Town", a Chinese-American lawyer is transferred to Hong Kong to work in his company's law office. From day one, he experiences culture shock, as he tries to read signs in Mandarin. It is assumed from natives that he must speak Cantonese, so, when he enters a restaurant, the hostess speaks to him in Cantonese. Dumbfounded, he stares at the hostess trying to figure out what to say until a non-Asian American approaches him and translates what the hostess has said. The hostess rolls her eyes at the Asian-American man as she leads them to a table in the restaurant.

From the opening sceen audience members responded positively and nodded in recognition of their own cross-cultural experiences. It is a film (once it has been released) that all students can relate to.
edited by cwatson on 12/11/2011

[Anonymous]

We are supposed to "review" a film right? I've been burning up my netflix with Mandarin movies lately. Someone told me about Gong Li and so I've seen "Story of Qiu Ju", "Raise The Red Lantern", and "Shanghai Triad". She is very beautiful and very versatile, not in the Meryl Streep sense, but stretches her skills nonetheless.
I liked her best in "Qiu Ju" as a headstrong peasant wife out to get justice for the crime her husband suffered, that is, getting kicked in the balls by the local party official. Hah, laugh if you like but this is serious business in the land of single-child policies and ancestor worship. She is relentless, and finally "gets" her man, but alas in the last scene she is prevented from truly enjoying her revenge.
The other films I thought were anodyne stories but with a beautiful lead, and beautiful photography.
edited by mcjones on 12/11/2011

[Anonymous]

I remember watching "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman" in high school and thinking that my teacher had an asian fetish. He was a white man who taught A.P. English and I remember thinking that the film was a bit odd. But later on in life, I had the pleasure of watching it, again and I'm glad because it is quite an interesting film about food, love and family. Cooking food is very important in Japanese culture. It seems it is an art within itself.

[Anonymous]

Does the 7 Samurai count in this category? What about memories of a Gesha? Each views the struggles of the male/female to survive in a strict culture with rules that are not transparent to occidental thinking. But the stories are so compelling, westerners have found truth in an otherwise unorthodox world.

[Anonymous]

I got to see 7 Samurai and really enjoyed it. My 15 year old son got hooked too so we sat and read the sub titles together. The cast system is highlighted and the plight of the farmer illustrated. The individual Samurai are interesting and even the most unsavory grows on you as you learn a bit of his background and see his bravery.

[Anonymous]

This was a great film.... based on the Rape of Nanjing in China by the Japanese. I suggest that all of you rent this film....I have always loved films that are molded around personal/individual sacrifice and this film personifies this concept to a tee...do not want to give the film away...but it is a must see!

[Anonymous]

This film was recently released with the actor Jason Siegal playing the main character, Jeff. This character is viewed, by american standards, as lazy, a loser, unmotivated...yet as the film continues one realizes that the film is based on an important chinese philosophy, but which one? Confucianism, Legalism, Moistism (spelled wrong), or (D)Taoism? Watch the film and respond, let me know what you think.....the film really exemplifies this specific philosophy.

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Janet Yang's independent work in progress film focuses on the trials and challenges of a Chinese-American attorney whose firm relocates him to Shanghai. It was highly comedic and relatable to anyone who has spent anytime living overseas: language difficulties, finding one's way in an unfamiliar country, and trying to relate to a new culture.
The title of the film will probably change in post-production, but it has strong potential in Chinese and American film markets.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions MCJones... I will be looking up those films on Netflix!!!!
edited by kcorbett on 8/18/2012

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