Asian American Marginalized Criminals

introducing the stereotypical portrayal of asians and asian american actors and actresses as gangsters, mobsters, and criminals in film and tv shows and how they tend to be "marginalized"

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"But we had to go the indie route, because no big studio would greenlight a big-budget film with prominent Asian-American cast speaking English. One producer told me that if I was just willing to make the lead role a white man, he was confident he could raise a large sum of money to bankroll the film"

Derek Ting, The Seattle Times August 31, 2012

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Rising Sun (1993)

A rather egregious example when it comes to the depiction of Asian antagonists in film, the film Rising Sun (1993) was an adaptation of the novel by the same name by Michael Crichton. There is not a single good Asian character in the film. Every single Japanese character is portrayed badly, committing such acts such as adultery, domestic abuse, violent sex, and ultimately murder.

A prominent theme that is present in both the book and film, though overstated even more in intimate detail in the book, is the theme of how unscrupulous Japanese corporations and businessmen were a threat to America and about to take over the world economy. Of course, this book was written before the crash of the Japanese economy in the “Lost Decade.”

The novel and film were controversial during their time for how the Japanese characters were depicted. Eddie Sakamura (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) is shown eating sushi off naked prostitutes, and there are several scenes depicting these brothels. The film itself avoids much of the long-winded explanations of the differences between US and Japanese businessmen by managing to remove the racial overtones, but they are still present.

Rising Sun manages to fulfill several stereotypes about Asian men, the first one obviously being dangerous villains who are involved in murder and attempting to frame each other for the sake of their company, while trying to cover up the murder of a call girl. The Japanese businessmen try to frame two American senators while plotting to take over the world – in an economic sense, mind you.

Not only are they placed within the role of criminals, without even the slightest form of redemption, they are shown to be misogynistic, which fulfills another stereotype of Asian men being undesirable partners. They are shown to be abusive and sexually violent.

As expected, in the end, Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes' characters triumph and the man behind the murder of the call girl is caught.

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Walking Dead: No More Asian-American Male Stereotypes

Walking Dead's Glenn Rhee, played by Korean-American actor Steven Yeun, is not the stereotypical Asian-American male in most Western mainstream media. He is just a former pizza delivery guy from Mi...

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Live Free and Die Hard (2007)

A bit of a unique example, take Mai Linh, played by Maggie Q as a villainous cyberterrorist paired with Thomas Gabriel.

Typical of most Hollywood portrayals of Asian females with love interests, she is paired with a white man.

Unlike some other roles as criminals, Mai Linh is involved in a large-scale terrorist plot as the secondary antagonist to sell US assets to outsiders.

A bit of a unique example, take Mai Linh, played by Maggie Q as a villainous Chinese cyberterrorist paired with Thomas Gabriel.

Typical of most Hollywood portrayals of Asian females as love interests, she is paired with a white man. Besides acting as a particularly lethal female example of Asians being portrayed as seedy criminals, Mai Linh embodies the “dragon lady” stereotype, untrustworthy and deceitful to the John McClane, played by Bruce Willis. She impersonates a law enforcement agent and kills numerous innocent people like security guards and hackers. I found it interesting that Gabriel, the man who was heading the entire operation, never picking up a gun or fighting anyone until the climax of the film. Mai Linh acts more like a Chinese henchwoman that is being used by Gabriel than a lover, although Gabriel is noticeably distressed when he finds out she is dead.

At the same time, Mai Linh manages to occupy the “China doll” stereotype, simultaneously being lethal and underhanded while being subservient and loyal to her lover Gabriel, even to death.

Perhaps a bit of a subversion, but Mai Linh is depicted as a formidable foe for McClane, besting him in hand-to-hand combat. Most notably, she uses martial arts to fight him.

Unlike some other roles as criminals, Mai Linh is involved in a large-scale terrorist plot as the secondary antagonist to sell US assets to outsiders. She is completely ruthless, willing to kill anybody that gets in the way of her goal.

I find it notable that her character manages to embody not only stereotypes that are normally exclusive to Asian American men, but simultaneously embody negative stereotypes that belong to Asian American women, which is why I find her character, and several other female Asian American antagonists very interesting as they can play a dualistic role within films.

Of course, in the end, the good guy, a white man, John McClane triumphs and defeats Mai Linh.

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Drug War (2012)

Although it is rare to see Asian actors as the protagonists outside of Western popular film, the movie Drug War depicts otherwise. Directed by acclaimed director Johnnie To, Drug War illustrates struggle drug cartel Tiang Ming (acted by Louis Koo) goes through as he is coerced in helping the anti-drug division captain Zhang Lei (acted by Honglei Sun) in order to avoid the death penalty.

Louis Koo (as drug cartel Tiang Ming) under interrogation

  Unlike various Hollywood films that portray Asian actors as geeky nerds, desexualized spiritual gurus, kung-fu masters, or an obedient emasculated males, Drug War portrays the male actors as masculine, capable, smart and strong men.

The marginalization of male actors of Asian decent in western cinema is an issue that must be addressed and I believe that this movie does a great job in portraying Asian actors as masculine, talented males. Moreover, although Louis Koo and his drug operation buddies are the "bad guys", they are not marginalized and they take on the central role of the movie.

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Back in 2012, two young filmmakers Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino had an idea to create a project that would pay tribute to a handful of memorable 80's and 90's Asian antagonists from action flicks. Often, these "awesome Asian bad guys" were quick on their feet and cool to look at, but only for like 5 seconds before they were killed off or beaten to the ground. These characters lacked not only air time but also depth on any kind of level. Steve and Patrick set out to change that.

The creative duo started a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 to fund the project and as of October 2012, the $50,000 goal was surpassed by almost $5,000 with a total of 806 backers who contributed to the goal. The project will be a 5-episode action comedy web series that will be, in Stephen and Patrick's words, "a cross between The Expendables and Dumb & Dumber."

The guys were able to enlist the help of the original actors from some of the referred "awesome asian bad guys/girls".

The episodes will expand upon the stories behind these original characters and attempt to restore the proper tribute and respect to these forgotten roles that had their portion of influence on pop culture.

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The Wolverine (2013) Official Trailer

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In the well acclaimed film The Wolverine directed by James Mangold, the marginalization and portrayal of Asian and Asian American actors as evil antagonists are undoubtedly expressed.

This portrayal of (in this case) Japanese actors and actresses as criminal antagonists are highlighted specifically in the earlier scenes that take place during World War II. Nuclear bombs were dropped onto Nagasaki prefecture Japan, and the white protagonist, Hugh Jackman saves a Japanese soldier from the bombings. Although the bombings resulted from the actions of the United States, the movie unravels to later reveal that the Japanese soldier who was saved was the ultimate villain.

Hugh Jackman as Logan (The Wolverine 2013)

Moreover, the stereotypical roles of the Asian actors as marginalized antagonists are portrayed throughout the movie as ninjas and swordsmen. Inaccuracy is evident as ninjas were secret covert mercenaries most prevalent during feudal Japan. However, this movie takes place during the 21st century.

Hugh Jackman as Logan fighting multiple ninjas in the snowy outskirts of  Tokyo, Japan (The Wolverine 2013)

With all this said, I feel like this movie inaccurately captured the cultural identities of the Japanese (by making most of the actors and actresses ninjas) in order to accomplish cinematic roles glorified by the Hollywood industry.

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The White Storm, which is directed by Benny Chan, is a Hong Kong-Chinese crime thriller film that was released in 2013. Benny Chan is a well known director for numerous Asian films fans. He has produced numerous outstanding works, such as Jackie Chen’s who am I and New Police Story, and The White Storm is another splendid record that he has achieved.

The film illustrates a story about Ho-tin Ma(acted by Sean Lay), who is a workaholic captain of Hong-Kong narotic enforcement department, and his best friends , Kin-chow So(acted by Louis Koo), and Tsz-wai Cheung(Nick Cheung), who are also agents of the department. In addition, Kin-chow So also works as an undercover agent for the department in drug cartels. In occasion, they went to Tailand to catch the most notorious druglord of South Ease Asia, who are called as Eight-Faced Buddha(acted by Hoi-Pang Lo). However, the operation fails, and Ho-tin Ma is threaten by the Eight-Faced Buddha that he can only save one of his best friends.

 Figure1: Ho-tin Ma(left), Kin-chow So(middle), and Tsz-wai Cheung(right)

  Even though the film mostly discusses the brotherhood among the protagonists, the villain, Eight-Faced Buddha, is also a highlight of the film. Unlike the Asian or Asian American criminal in the United States film, the Eight-Faced Buddha’s brutality and ferociousness of are more realistic. As the villain, he understands how to makes people suffer psychically and psychologically. In the movie, he understands the weaknesses of the protagonists are their profound friendship. Sacrificing each other is the cruelest torture for them. Therefore, he let Ho-tin Ma choose which friend he wants to sacrifice in order to keep them all safe.

Figure2: Eight-faced Buddha(middle)

  Without being marginalized or depicted by their stereotypical images, the Asian villain is more like a criminal than a clown. 

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Can't wait until the web series come out!

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“Like I said, I'm good with calculation."

―Lau

Anyone remember this guy? This is Lau, from The Dark Knight, played by Chin Han. Supposedly he was very smart, according to the other characters, heading a massive corporation in China.

In the beginning, we are to believe that Lau is a decent character meant to work with Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox. Of course, this is quickly dispelled Bruce Wayne is told that Lau’s company has “powerful economic potential at 8% annual growth” and is suspected of illegal accounting.

As it turns out, you guessed it, he's just a dirty banker for the Joker to amass his funds, thus fulfilling the Asian “underworld” stereotype by being involved with organized crime as a Chinese crime lord while working with the other mobs. This is especially highlighted when Batman stages a kidnapping on Lau and he has an army of corrupt cops attempt to rescue him.

Plotwise, he plays a large role assisting the Joker as a money launderer after the Joker robs a bank.

He is portrayed as cowardly, yet arrogant. He planned to blackmail and extort all the Gotham mobs while underestimating the Joker and the Batman. When locked up in jail and threatened he quickly folds under pressure and makes a deal with Harvey Dent to save himself. Interestingly enough, he is also shown to be not-so-intelligent in the way that he deals with the Joker and the Batman. This viewpoint is not uncommon, it seems, as Asian men are often said to be intelligent, yet are portrayed as less than intelligent in the film.

In the end, he meets his demise as the Joker discards him, setting a mountain of money Lau is sitting on ablaze.

"Batman has no jurisdiction, he'll find him and make him squeal. And I know the squealers when I see them, and...(points at Lau on the TV)" ―The Joker

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Continued on The Transporter (2002).

  Leo is not the only Asian character who is marginalized in the film.

  Mr. Kwai, played by Ric Young, is another example. As a cold-hearted criminal who even asks his henchmen to kill his daughter if she does not cooperate, Mr. Kwai is an influential person in the criminal organization who takes responsibility for human trafficking. However, in spite of his power in the organization, Mr. Kwai still complies with Bettencourt’s demands even though his daughter has been kidnapped by Bettencourt.

Figure2: Bettencourt (middle), and his partner Mr.Kwai (right), who is holding his daughter at the request of Bettencourt.

Moreover, being the female protagonist of the film, Lai Kwai is the daughter of Mr.Kwai. Yes, the daughter of a criminal head, and she is more like an innocent teenager girl than what she actually is. In the film, the character is portrayed as a trouble maker, whose IQ seems below the average range. Despite the fact that her father is a gangster and the people around her are criminals, she even does not know how to take care of herself in a gunfight. All she knows is how to scream.

  Figure 3: Hiding herself in plain sight.

Figure 4: Staying despite being told to go.

Throughout the movie, the only moment that makes me think her IQ has recovered to the average range is the scene that she exploits Martin’s compassion to grab a chance for escape.

    Overall, the film let me notice the stereotypical images of Asians—insignificant, obedient, and weak. They are misrepresented, underrepresented, and marginalized in the film industry.

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The United States is now more diverse than it ever has been, but from watching Hollywood films and television programs it’s easy to overlook that development. That’s because characters of color remain underrepresented in mainstream movies and TV shows. In addition, many actors of color are asked to play stereotypical roles—from maids and immigrants to thugs and prostitutes in Hollywood.

Nadra Kareem Nittle

[movies-across-time-and-space]

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Infernal Affairs (Hongkong)

One of the most widely acclaimed crime movie series ever produced in Hongkong, the Infernal Affairs series tells an intriguing story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop, who shares the same objective: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop. During this process, the mole Lau Kin Ming (played by Andy Lau) has transitioned from the crime lord Hon Sam's (played by Eric Tsang) tool, to a self-conscious person that makes up his mind to be a "good guy". Sadly, the undercover cop Chen Wing Yan (played by Tony Leung) found out about the mole's identity and won't give him a second chance, because this mole has caused too many colleagues' tragic death. On the other hand, Chen has been doing undercover for almost ten years; he has earned trust from his boss and has made gangster friends that would die for him. So, he is confused too when his undercover identity was close to being exposed but then a mob friend traded his own life for Chen's innocence.

The title means "Endless Purgatory Road". This philosophy really made this movie more thoughtful. The two central characters both had to walk their road, in life and in their minds for a long time. Both had no choice but to keep walking. As they cross path, they were forced to play the game of cat and mouse by their superiors. While it is not certain who's the cat and who's the mouse, one thing is certain - the loser will die. As the two-sided nature of the main protagonists as well as their consequent psychological complexity unfolds, you will be made to understand that the real battle is for the characters' souls as much as their lives and you hold your breath to the last surprising minute.

Apparently, as an "All-Asian" movie, there is no stereotypical images of Asians to be found; no computer geeks, no kungfu stars, all there is is two real men use all their power seeking for the other's real identity, and along the path discovers the identities of their own...  

Link to the trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSeDiGRFVUk&list=TLo-sMfU8trXA

A Video clip from the movie : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgU1ALnQTFA

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Our discussion on the TV-series "Prison Break" continued...

Speak of stereotypical image of Asian Americans, what comes to your mind first? How about a technical savvy, or more specifically, a computer geek? When Asian Americans appear on the screen, lots of times they are portrayed as some sort of technological experts, perhaps mathematically adept or intellectually gifted. Someone actually feels pretty good about it. Phil Yu of the blog Angry Asian Man prefers the tech stereotype to others about Asian, "At least the Asians are depicted as intelligent, competent and having a firm grasp of English. Yup, the techie is indeed the smartest guy in the room. And we live in an age where geeks rule." Well, of course it's good we are depicted as smart guys, but "smart" is sadly the only good thing about computer geek image! Take a look at other characteristics of those nerdy characters played by Asians: Reserved, devious, never got the chance to hold a girl's hand!

Prison Break is no exception.  Roland Glenn (played by James Liao) is one of the fugitives that assisted Michael (the protagonist) to break down the ultimate enemy-- the Company. Here is a wiki about what Roland has done for the "team" (pay attention to the highlighted portion).

Using a cell phone, Roland built an electronic data copier that could read any electronic information and send it back to his computer for him to copy. He originally used it to steal credit card numbers and other financial information, but was aught. Instead of serving time in prison, he made a deal to help Agent Don Self take down the Company.

At first, Roland wasn't welcomed by the remaining Eight, Mahone, and Sara. However, he was useful to the group because of device he created which could copy the Scylla cards quickly and covertly.

He does not like to go out and get his hands dirty when stealing things, so when he must break into a building with Michael he is extremely nervous. He survives, thanks to Lincoln, and continues to help the team copy Scylla cards. Although he assisted the team in copying five of the six cards, he got his device taken away from him in Las Vegas and was consequentially not allowed to help with the team's efforts anymore. He decided to sell the location of Michael and Lincoln to Wyatt. Wyatt, however, had no intention of paying Roland for the information. Instead he ended up fatally shooting Roland after extracting the information by force.

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It remains problematic that Hollywood continues to portray Asians and Asian-Americans in stereotypical and superficial ways in films today, portraying them in unrealistic ways with on-screen characters that lack dynamic and depth. Asians being portrayed as villains/antagonists in action, crime, and thriller films is an old Hollywood tendancy not new to this generation. In this tendancy, issues of misrepresentation arise as these characters are often marginalized in the plot and portrayed as foreigners and the “other”. Such issues are worth much more in-depth exploring but on a lighter note, this particular post will attempt a more positive look on the situation and suggest that these awesome bad guys and bad ass villains have had to take up the task of becoming the tangible role models of young Asian-American males.

Unlike a handful of infamous Asian “bad guys”out there such as Mr. Chow (played by Ken Jeong) in the Hangover series in which the Asian male is entirely emasculated and ridiculed, often Asian villains and antagonists are portrayed as “a force to be reckoned with” in the form of martial arts masters or gangsters. One such example is the character of Johnny Tran, played by Rick Yune, in The Fast and the Furious (2001).

In the plot, Johnny Tran, the main antagonist of the movie, is the leader of an opposing race crew to the movie’s protagonists Dominic (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker). He is portrayed as a dangerous man and not to be messed with, especially not on his turf (Little Saigon).

Though eventually marginalized at the end of the film and thus concluding Johnny Tran’s presence in the rest of the franchise, Tran’s “awesomeness” has been anything but forgotten among the fans. He, along with his signature Honda S2000, has become iconic among car enthusiasts.

It might seem ridiculous to celebrate over the fact that characters written out to be villains and criminals are embraced as role models. However, considering in the currect media landscape, the other side of the coin is the portrayal of Asian men as weak, nerdy, and generally “lacking”, the bad ass Asian villains seem to at least restore so masculinity and dignity to Asian men.

On a side note, the problem of society’s admiration and glorification of villains and evilness (consider Marvel’s Loki or the Joker from the Dark Knight trilogy) is an issue to discuss another day…