Yellowface is a documentary film that explores the history of anti-Asian racism in Hollywood, particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The film examines how Hollywood perpetuated negative stereotypes of Asians through the use of "yellowface" - the practice of non-Asian actors portraying Asian characters - and how this practice has led to the erasure of actual Asian actors and stories.
The film features interviews with Asian American actors, directors, and activists, including George Takei, Dan Fung Dennis, and David Henry Hwang, who share their experiences of navigating the industry as people of color. The documentary also highlights the successes of Asian American actors and filmmakers who have challenged exclusionary practices in Hollywood, such as Anna May Wong, who was one of the first Asian American actresses to gain international fame in Hollywood.
Moreover, the movie discusses how anti-Asian racism has continued to persist in contemporary Hollywood, with the recent controversies surrounding the casting of non-Asian actors in Asian roles in films like Ghost in the Shell and Doctor Strange. Ultimately, Yellowface seeks to shed light on Hollywood's troubling history of racism, and to encourage more diverse representation in the industry.
