Whitewashing the Movies
Asian Erasure and White Subjectivity in U.S. Film Culture
By David C Oh | Publisher: Rutgers University Press
About the book
Whitewashing the Movies addresses the popular practice of excluding Asian actors from playing Asian characters in film. Media activists and critics have denounced contemporary decisions to cast White actors to play Asians and Asian Americans in movies such as Ghost in the Shell and Aloha. The purpose of this book is to apply the concept of “whitewashing” in stories that privilege White identities at the expense of Asian/American stories and characters. To understand whitewashing across various contexts, the book analyzes films produced in Hollywood, Asian American independent production, and US-China co-productions. Through the analysis, the book examines the ways in which whitewashing matters in the project of Whiteness and White racial hegemony. The book contributes to contemporary understanding of mediated representations of race by theorizing whitewashing, contributing to studies of Whiteness in media studies, and producing a counter-imagination of Asian/American representation in Asian-centered stories.
Editions of Whitewashing the Movies
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781978808621
- EBook
- ISBN 9781978808645
- PDF
- ISBN 9781978808669
Read an Excerpt
Whitewashing the Movies addresses the popular practice of excluding Asian actors from playing Asian characters in film. Media activists and critics have denounced contemporary decisions to cast White actors to play Asians and Asian Americans in movies such as Ghost in the Shell and Aloha. The purpose of this book is to apply the concept of “whitewashing” in stories that privilege White identities at the expense of Asian/American stories and characters. To understand whitewashing across various contexts, the book analyzes films produced in Hollywood, Asian American independent production, and US-China co-productions. Through the analysis, the book examines the ways in which whitewashing matters in the project of Whiteness and White racial hegemony. The book contributes to contemporary understanding of mediated representations of race by theorizing whitewashing, contributing to studies of Whiteness in media studies, and producing a counter-imagination of Asian/American representation in Asian-centered stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Whitewashing the Movies about?
Whitewashing the Movies addresses the popular practice of excluding Asian actors from playing Asian characters in film. Media activists and critics have denounced contemporary decisions to cast White actors to play Asians and Asian Americans in movies such as Ghost in the Shell and Aloha. The purpose of this book is to apply the concept of “whitewashing” in stories that privilege White identities at the expense of Asian/American stories and characters. To understand whitewashing across various contexts, the book analyzes films produced in Hollywood, Asian American independent production, and US-China co-productions. Through the analysis, the book examines the ways in which whitewashing matters in the project of Whiteness and White racial hegemony. The book contributes to contemporary understanding of mediated representations of race by theorizing whitewashing, contributing to studies of Whiteness in media studies, and producing a counter-imagination of Asian/American representation in Asian-centered stories.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Whitewashing the Movies?
The Arts > Performing arts > Films, cinema > Film history, theory or criticism
Where can I read a sample of Whitewashing the Movies?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781978808621
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Whitewashing the Movies?
David C Oh
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Whitewashing the Movies is available as paperback(ISBN 9781978808621) and ebook(ISBN 9781978808645) and pdf(ISBN 9781978808669)
Where can I buy Whitewashing the Movies online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Whitewashing the Movies?