Interview with Various Broken Trail's Cast
Members
DIVERSITY US
ASIANS:Could
you share your views on the current status of diversity in the entertainment
industry along with what do you think needs to be done today?
OLIVIA
CHENG: I’ve
said this before and I’ll continue to say it again until it’s
a non-issue: There’s a glaringly sad lack of projects and roles
to reflect minorities and ethnic diversity in Hollywood. Until more
minorities infiltrate the ranks of Hollywood it’ll probably continue
to be this way. So what needs to be done? We need more storytellers
to create powerful material to reflect diversity. More importantly we
need people willing to finance the production of those stories. In Hollywood,
it all comes down to money -- plain and simple.
JADYN
WONG: My view is that the diversity
in the industry today is beginning to produce a mixture of ethnicities
seen on screen. Although this is a turn away from the all Caucasian
cast, the lack of portrayal of minorities as diverse and multi-faceted
individuals still is evident in most cases. We hear over and over again
how there should be this and that, how this should change, etc., I think
that if change is desired, it starts within that culture. For instance,
if Asians want characters and stories that convey truth and substance,
then let’s start writing, directing, producing, etc. our own stories.
It’s up to us to instigate change.
;
Caroline
Chan
CAROLINE
CHAN: Diversity
in the entertainment industry is definitely getting better. A few years
ago, all films involving Asians were all about Kung Fu. Kung Fu is exciting
but I’m glad to see a few Asians in supporting and lead roles. The
non-stereotypical roles in American films would be the best for cultural
diversity in the entertainment industry.
US
ASIANS:Recognizing
your involvement in “The Magic of Ordinary Days”
– could you share your perspective(s) on how American media has
portrayed various Asian American experiences (i.e. internment camp)
and your viewpoint on being a Chinese/Singaporean women playing a Japanese
character – considering the Asian American communities’ outrage
in “Memoirs of a Geisha?”
GWENDOLINE YEO:
Recently I was asked by a Singapore paper what were
the pros and cons of being a Singapore girl in America. The pros would
have to be that I think I'm a chameleon. I've played Japanese, mainland
Chinese and Korean. I've also been raised in a country that's bilingual
and given the versatility of weaving in and out of Mandarin and English.
The con, I suppose is that I've never actually played a Singaporean. Singapore
is so unique with it's amalgamation of culture and diversity. I look at
this as a great gift. Diversity has taught me to be less judgmental and
more open minded--and it's the only way, with non-judgment, to jump into
the skin of a character I am playing. It also forces me to be less myopic
about what Asian is. I'm not just Singaporean, I also represent a wider
term of simply: Asian. My distinctively yellow skin is something that
I wear proudly. It's an asset and becomes an honor, for example, to be
able to play a Japanese interned girl. I don't think it comes down to
what country someone originated from, but essentially, who could represent
the role most authentically from the inside out. Sometimes it's less about
skin tone, but by the size of the heart.
US
ASIANS:What
do you feel is the entertainment industry's current status/attitude/practice
of "blind-casting." (Click HERE
to read David Henry Hwang's definition.)
VALERIE
TIAN: "Long Life.."
was my first non-commercial audition after being with an agency for two
years already. My only experience in auditions prior to that film was
for plenty of Barbie commercials where my competition was generally Caucasian
children. In retrospect, however, I think the number of "open ethinicities"
roles have increased quite a bit since I started auditioning about 7 years
ago. Though, I only really noticed most of this progression recently-
within the last 2 years or so.
"Jesus
is just such a coolio!" - that was a T-shirt quote moment by
me
JADYN
WONG:
I have a great
respect and admiration of those individuals who sought out change
and no matter what loneliness or hindrances came their way, it did
not matter because they were passionate and driven to succeed. There’s
too many to list.
ENTERTAINMENT
INDUSTRY
VALERIE
TIAN:
I've
never really believed in the concept of role models in society. I
especially don't buy the whole celebrity facade that the media glamorizes
to create celebrity idols. It's just business to capitalize on impressionable
people's celebrity worship. For example, it's good that mass publicity
about charities can be delivered via people on late talk shows. The
problem is when viewers or the studio audience that helps justify
the hilarity of the show, praise the messenger too much, they aren't
fully appreciating the messege. This is because we have always been
too infatuated with the illusion of celebrity. I don't think looking
up to one person alone is necessary to learn about yourself. We all
have our merits and our flaws, so we can't think celebrities fall
in the categories of either GOOD PERSON or BAD PERSON based on their
image.
CAROLINE
CHAN:
Definitely Mr Duvall. Not only is he an A
list actor but he treats you so nicely. He helps you and he cares
so much for you.
JADYN
WONG:
Same
answer as above.
COMMUNITY
VALERIE
TIAN:
I
admire how selfless doctors and teachers are required to be.
US
ASIANS:What do you hope audiences take from this film?
ALAN
GEOFFRION: I
didn’t have a campaign or agenda while writing BROKEN TRAIL. I just
wanted to write a good, interesting story. Having said that, the story
presents a very topical issue that is still prevalent to this very day.
Human-trafficking, child abuse, and sexual slavery are all social issues
that plague our society. I would like nothing better than to have people’s
conscience and sensibilities alerted by this.
;