Chinese & Chinese-Americans in Hollywood share their stories
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E-mail CNTV, October 9, 2014
It's been a long, hard road for Chinese people in Hollywood, as they have striven to build meaningful careers behind and in front of the camera. From the silent film era to the present, the history of Chinese in Hollywood spans about a century. In this next story, our Hollywood reporter focuses on the contributions of Chinese and Chinese-Americans to today's film and television industries.
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Actress Lisa Lu |
Hollywood has long-untold stories behind the Chinese faces that have graced the creative industry both behind the scenes and on the silver screen.
Bright lights, big stars, and even bigger dreams. Along with high stakes and unpredictable risks, Hollywood is not for the faint of heart. However, a number of pioneers are paving the way both in front of the camera and behind the camera for Chinese and Chinese Americans in the entertainment industry. With courage, spirit, and enthusiasm, they are passionate about telling stories for global audiences. And now they're ready to share their own stories."
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Actress Lisa Lu at young age |
Hollywood has long exerted an international influence on the global imagination. Chinese and Chinese-American actors who aspired to a career in Hollywood found their opportunities limited to roles that propagated Asian stereotypes. 87-year-old Lisa Lu revealed there's been gradual changes in Hollywood.
"When I first came in the 50's, the late 50's, there were no roles for Asian people. I used to tell them Chinese don't act this way – Chinese act this way, but no one pays me any attention. Now I think they respect Chinese people especially the actors and actresses are so well trained and the directors are so knowledgeable," said Lisa Lu, an actress.
Another actress, who didn't have to fight the ugly stereotypes of yesterday's Hollywood, Chloe Bennet star of Marvels Agents of SHIELD, has benefited from pioneers like Lisa Lu.
"What I appreciate about them and their casting process is they had these characters and it wasn 't about race and it really wasn't about what the person looked like. It was really about who the person was as a character and if they fit the mold to the character no matter what ethnicity and that how me and Ming-na, two Chinese-American women, ended up as two leads on a show which I don't think has ever been done before," said Chloe Bennet, an actress.
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