In the wake of the recent horrific events in Atlanta and other cities, we have been reflecting on the rise in anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes against Asian-American communities. Women Make Movies has co-signed a collective community statement of solidarity with Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta chapter against misogyny, systemic violence, and white supremacy.

As an organization that supports women filmmakers at all intersections of race, class, and gender, we are making available select films that create greater awareness and that center and uplift the voices of Asian and Asian-American women. To begin — and in collaboration with Asian Women United  and the filmmakers of SLAYING THE DRAGON and SLAYING THE DRAGON: RELOADED  — we are making the following two films available for free through April 15, 2021.

We are also planning a panel discussion and will add more films in the coming weeks.

 

Slaying the Dragon

1988 | A film by Deborah Gee | 58 minutes

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.

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Slaying the Dragon: Reloaded

2011 | A film by Elaine H. Kim | 30 minutes

A 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.

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Films to Watch

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