Slaying the Dragon and Slaying the Dragon: Reloaded
SLAYING THE DRAGON (1988) by Deborah Gee
SLAYING THE DRAGON: RELOADED (2011) by Elaine H. Kim
2011 | 88 minutes | Color | DVD | Order No. 15041
SYNOPSIS
SLAYING THE DRAGON is a comprehensive look at media stereotypes of Asian and Asian American women since the silent era. From the racist use of white actors to portray Asians in early Hollywood films, through the success of Anna May Wong’s sinister dragon lady, to Suzie Wong and the ’50s geisha girls, to the Asian-American anchorwoman of today, this fascinating film shows how stereotypes of exoticism and docility have affected the perception of Asian-American women. Produced by Asian Women United, this invaluable resource has been widely used by universities and libraries.
SLAYING THE DRAGON: RELOADED is a 30-minute sequel to SLAYING THE DRAGON. RELOADED looks at the past 25 years of representation of Asian and Asian American women in U.S. visual media — from blockbuster films and network television to Asian American cinema and YouTube — to explore what’s changed, what’s been recycled, and what we can hope for in the future.
PRESS
"Slaying the Dragon shows how racism and the shifting winds of history have inhibited realistic portrayals of Asian women."
"Intelligent, moving."
"This compelling film is an invaluable resource for the classroom and beyond."
"Timely, provocative and entertaining."
“With meticulous research and analytic smarts, the film’s tribute to new Asian American filmmakers shoots Reloaded far into a hopeful future.”
"A film that everyone needs to watch to understand the significance of Asian Americans in popular culture and their relationship to American history and society."
SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS
- Asian Pacific Arts Association, Jimmie Award
- American Film and Video Festival, Finalist
- San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Deborah Gee
Deborah Gee began a reporter for the San Francisco NBC affiliate. She became an independent filmmaker in the late 1980s and is now a Feng Shui consultant. In 1987 Gee directed SLAYING THE DRAGON for Asian Women United, a pan-Asian organization of women that was established in 1976. (01/15)
Elaine H. Kim
Elaine H. Kim is a co-founder of Asian Women United of California and teaches Asian American Studies at UC Berkeley. (1/15)
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