Representation Is Wrong

The social issues on the topic of what representation is and how it should be used have been hotly debated topics in many arenas around the world. I'm going to look at it from the film industry's point of view.

Look at the films above. What do you see?

A great film or two? I agree. Some films you felt were made because Hollywood was getting on that "woke" train? Maybe.

But the one thing all these films have in common is that all of them. Every single one was made for the sole purpose of representation from the wider look of things. Get Out by Jordan Peele is and will always be a fantastic movie in the horror/suspense/thriller genres. But is it not really an exploration of racism and stereotypes? Of course, it is. That is representation. Let's look at Crazy Rich Asians by John M. Chu. Broke the box office, and the internet and caused some cultural awakening within Hollywood. Or so they say. But is it not a generic Asian-led story about the kind of family that only Western audiences might find "interesting"? Perhaps.

My point is, all these films up here are both good and bad but there are lines which lead us to classify some of these films as Cinema and others as not. Let's look at To All The Boys I've Loved Before starring Lana Condor. The story is generic, the acting is sub-par at best, and the references are both painfully woke and also dreadfully derivative. It's escapism for the average film-watcher and 1hr and 39 minutes of hell for me. But why is it considered among films tackling representation? Because we have an Asian lead actor in this white cast from the suburbs of Americana. That's it. Now it's films like these which sadly there are more and more of every day polluting the waters in which representation swims. They are why the debate still rages on in my opinion.

I won't get into the nitty-gritty of who did what and who deserves what. That's already being talked about in a thousand different places. I simply want to highlight a perspective that might've gotten lost in the sea of debates on this topic.

Let's go back to 2019. The Academy Awards. Bong Joon Ho and Parasite are tearing it up. Winning awards left, right and centre. There is no doubt now as to which film will take the much coveted 'Best Picture'.

Bong Joon Ho received the Oscar for Parasite in 2019.

I personally loved the film. No, I mean it. I think it's a sublime film for many filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers to watch. It is densely layered and poignant in its delivery. A strong script backed by a precise directing talent that rightly claimed its place at the top of the heap in 2019.

That being said...It's not the best film ever made in Korea, is it?

Korean cinema and especially their New Wave has been a source of great pride amongst many fans and enthusiasts of Asian cinema. Those who have been "in the know" as it were aren't really too shocked by the success and plaudits that Parasite is getting as this is but one of the many films that Korea has produced of this quality.

There are certainly "better" films from Korea than Parasite, but it doesn't change the fact that Parasite was the film to announce Korea to the world in a big way.

Who do we have to thank? The Oscars.

Yes. yes, I am more than aware of how I sound. Like some Oscar-crazed fanboy high on weed. But look at it this way. The Academy Awards are certainly not the most prestigious awards in the world of film. They don't hold the longevity of Venice and Canness or the diversity and outgoing nature of Berlin and Toronto, but what they do have dwarfs all these prestigious film festivals entirely.

Publicity.

The Oscars are the most famous film festival worldwide. They command a huge audience both domestically and abroad. Like Hollywood, they reek of over-commercialisation and we won't even begin to describe the garbage that went on in the "woke" the year of 2020 and the infamous Will Smith slap, disgraceful as it was.

But it does point the eyes of the world to whomever it chooses. In 2019 that was Korea and Parasite. Now how many of you started to watch Korean films and series after Parasite's win? A lot I bet. Of course with the exception of cinephiles who knew the genius that is Korean Cinema. But thanks to the Academy Awards, Korea now has been given a way to get its films and talent out into the world via the Hollywood machine that is always turning. This increases the commercial value of their local film industries and financially benefits the industry in Korea as a whole in a positive way.

Is that not a small price to pay for such advances in one's local film Industry?

Michelle Yeoh's win at the latest Oscars this year was a landmark achievement in the eyes of Malaysia and our film industry. The whole country was in a party mood and rightfully so. It's always a pleasure to see one of our own success. But there were a few bitter apples in the otherwise sweet bunch. Those who criticized the Oscars for their "woke" culture and those of an older generation that had much to gripe about when talks came to 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'.

They frankly are missing the point. While in Malaysia there's a very vocal admiration for the Academy Awards and it is seen as the most prestigious by the vast majority and that is an unfortunate consequence of our desire to succeed in the film industry. While I agree that the Malaysian public does need to prioritize their admiration towards more indie films that go to Venice or Cannes but one step at a time.

I'd much rather take this Michelle Yeoh to win as a sign of hope for better things to come for the Malaysian film industry. Optimistic it may be but if she has nudged the door open ever so slightly, we as aspiring filmmakers must be the ones to knock it down. However, we can. Our industry needs to do many things to improve and grow. In a country as diverse as we are, it is very conceivable that we too can create a New Wave of our own. A real New Wave.

So instead of scoffing at what film won and how Malaysia has a long way to go, all of which are true of course, I personally would encourage you to look at the horizon. Find that glimmer of hope. Or even more so, be that hope. Let's take every little win we get on the world stage and be supportive of our growing film industry.

Now is the time to get to our feet and make it happen.

Thank you all for reading and feel free to leave your thoughts down in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you as well. Till the next one! Cheers!