Media Project
The topic for my media project is the relationship between the Asian diaspora and martial arts films. Martial arts films are a valuable form of connection for those in the diaspora to understand their heritage and cultural identity. I have chosen this topic because I too am part of the Asian diaspora and martial arts films were like a window for my heritage. Most of what I understand from my heritage was from my family and Chinese media sources such as films, dramas, and novels.
In 1882, President Chester A. Arthur signed the ‘Chinese Exclusion Act’ which prohibited any immigration of Chinese laborers. After this act was signed, a period that was known as “The Driving Out” started in which anti-Chinese Americans forced Chinese communities to relocate. This act continued to be renewed until in 1943, when the ‘Magnuson Act’ was signed to repeal the ‘Chinese Exclusion Act’. The ‘Magnuson Act’, however, had an annual quota of 105 Chinese immigrants and denied certain rights to them. It was only in the 1960s when the ‘Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965’ was signed did large-scale Chinese immigration occur. The first Asian diaspora happened around that time. Many Chinese immigrants migrated to America to search for a better life and education. However, they were faced with cultural differences and racial tensions. Chinese children went to schools, where the majority of the student body were white. As they grew up they were surrounded by White Americans that had different social and cultural norms. Racism at that time was pretty prevalent and Chinese children faced alienation and oppression from their surroundings. Surrounded by such an alien culture, most Chinese children turn to their heritage for comfort and relief. In such distant land films, novels, and stories were the only sources for Chinese children to get into touch with their heritage. The most popular of these sources were martial arts films. These films provided valuable information on their culture and usually featured underdog stories and revenge plots. Martial arts films such as Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury” and Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” depict stories where the main character sought out their revenge and overcame their oppressors. In such a racially charged period, martial arts films were not only a source for information on their heritage but also a way for them to vent and release their frustration. It was a way for Chinese children to relate and imagine that they were the main protagonist of these films that defeated their oppressors and attained their revenge. These martial arts films were also sources for Chinese children to form their own basic understanding of their cultural identity and heritage.
I have chosen to use an image collage as my media form because I believe it is the best way for me to accurately depict my topic. I used the program GIMP to form my image collage and chosen Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen, and Michelle Yeoh in fierce stances. These fierce stances are a way to depict the power they possess and in a way empower those that watch martial arts films. They serve as role models for those in the diaspora and empower them to go against their oppressors. This media project was very interesting as it allowed me to reminisce about my own childhood and what martial arts films actually meant to me.
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