Asian representation vs. the Model Minority Myth and the media

ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) representation has slowly improved in the US over the years, but still needs major improvement in the UK. How can this be turned around so Model Minority and other stereotypical characters and storylines are challenged and avoided, giving ESEA talent and creatives the opportunities to showcase what they can offer?

Asian Representation and Everything Everywhere All at Once

It’s truly a complex and bizarre film with plenty of nuances and emotion, but “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is more than just a multiversal movie made to boggle the mind. It’s another step forward for Asian representation on the big Hollywood screen, exploring as many multi-faceted Asian diaspora identities as it does multiple universes and the concepts behind them and people.

Film Review: Turning Red

Despite some misgivings, “Turning Red” – Pixar’s latest offering – takes cues from Chinese culture and Chinese diaspora to create a cute, fiery and emotional film that appeals to a wider audience while representing minority groups for a new generation of Disney lovers.

Companies who “celebrate” Chinese/Lunar New Year in the name of fortune

Happy Chinese New Year!

It’s the Year of the Tiger so we can expect many brands to hop on the trend of using images of tigers and tiger prints in their Lunar New Year collections.

But when they’re also hopping on the trend of releasing products and lines to “celebrate” the New Year, what purpose does it achieve other than pandering to one of their biggest consumer groups? How can some do more for the Chinese and East Asian talent and communities other than use their design skills once a year and attempt to sell them products that only look to boost their sales?

Film: “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” of Chinese representation

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is another great Marvel film and one that really aims to and succeeds in boosting Chinese representation in a Hollywood film. These “Ten Rings” of representation talk through the different ways in which it helps to combat the under-representation and negative light in which many Chinese and East Asian characters are portrayed on screen.

Book Review: “Danny Chung Does NOT Do Maths” by Maisie Chan

“Danny Chung Does NOT Do Maths” is the debut novel by ESEA author Maisie Chan. Danny Chung has a lot to deal with, including school bullies, fighting racial stereotypes, annoying family “friends”, and most of all, looking after his Chinese granny. How will he cope? A lovely story about being who you want to be, self discovery, and the importance of intergenerational relationships – even if you don’t speak the same language…