The Slanted Screen


1h 9m 2006

Brief Synopsis

Explores the portrayals of Asian men in American cinema, chronicling the experiences of actors who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping and limited work. The film presents a critical examination of Hollywood's image-making machine, through a fascinating parade of 50 film clips spanning a century. It includes interviews with actors Mako, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, James Shigeta, Dustin Nguyen, Phillip Rhee, Will Yun Lee, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, comedian Bobby Lee, producer Terence Chang, casting director Heidi Levitt, writer Frank Chin, and directors Gene Cajayon and Eric Byler.

Film Details

Also Known As
Slanted Screen
MPAA Rating
Genre
Documentary
Release Date
2006

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 9m

Synopsis

Explores the portrayals of Asian men in American cinema, chronicling the experiences of actors who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping and limited work. The film presents a critical examination of Hollywood's image-making machine, through a fascinating parade of 50 film clips spanning a century. It includes interviews with actors Mako, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, James Shigeta, Dustin Nguyen, Phillip Rhee, Will Yun Lee, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, comedian Bobby Lee, producer Terence Chang, casting director Heidi Levitt, writer Frank Chin, and directors Gene Cajayon and Eric Byler.

Film Details

Also Known As
Slanted Screen
MPAA Rating
Genre
Documentary
Release Date
2006

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 9m

Articles

The Slanted Screen


From silent film star Sessue Hayakawa to Harold & Kumar Go to Whitecastle, The Slanted Screen explores portrayals of Asian men in American media, chronicling the experiences of actors who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping and limited roles. According to TimeOut New York film critic Lewis Beale, "the film is a comprehensive look at how Asian men have been portrayed and often stereotyped; as "yellow peril" villains, asexual geeks, cruel exotics like Fu Manchu and inscrutable brainiacs in the Charlie Chan mold."

The film premiered at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and won best documentary film at the New York International Independent Film & Video festival in 2006. The Slanted Screen presents candid interviews with actors, filmmakers, and scholars who share their unique insights and illuminating perspectives, and over 50 film clips spanning a century.

The film includes interviews with actors Mako (The Sand Pebbles), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat, The Last Emperor), Jason Scott Lee (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story), James Shigeta (Flower Drum Song, Crimson Kimono, Bridge to the Sun), Dustin Nguyen (21 Jumpstreet), Phillip Rhee (Best of the Best), Will Yun Lee (Daredevil), Tzi Ma (24, Rush Hour), comedian Bobby Lee (MAD TV), producer Terence Chang (Mission Impossible II), casting director Heidi Levitt (The Joy Luck Club), writer Frank Chin, and directors Gene Cajayon (The Debut), Justin Lin (The Fast and Furious III; Better Luck Tomorrow) and Eric Byler (Charlotte Sometimes).

The Slanted Screen integrates these diverse voices to offer a rich and thorough exploration that is enlightening, amusing, and entertaining. Above all, The Slanted Screen envisions a future where the complexities of a multi-ethnic society are fully portrayed in film.

Director: Jeff Adachi
Producer: Jeff Adachi and Alex Yeung
Writer: Jeff Adachi
Cinematography: Ann Kaneko
Production Design: Sean Dana
Music: Michael Becker
Cast: Mako, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Jason Scott Lee, James Shigeta, Dustin Nguyen, Phillip Rhee, Will Yun Lee, Tzi Ma, Bobby Lee, Justin Chin.
C-56m.
The Slanted Screen

The Slanted Screen

From silent film star Sessue Hayakawa to Harold & Kumar Go to Whitecastle, The Slanted Screen explores portrayals of Asian men in American media, chronicling the experiences of actors who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping and limited roles. According to TimeOut New York film critic Lewis Beale, "the film is a comprehensive look at how Asian men have been portrayed and often stereotyped; as "yellow peril" villains, asexual geeks, cruel exotics like Fu Manchu and inscrutable brainiacs in the Charlie Chan mold." The film premiered at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and won best documentary film at the New York International Independent Film & Video festival in 2006. The Slanted Screen presents candid interviews with actors, filmmakers, and scholars who share their unique insights and illuminating perspectives, and over 50 film clips spanning a century. The film includes interviews with actors Mako (The Sand Pebbles), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat, The Last Emperor), Jason Scott Lee (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story), James Shigeta (Flower Drum Song, Crimson Kimono, Bridge to the Sun), Dustin Nguyen (21 Jumpstreet), Phillip Rhee (Best of the Best), Will Yun Lee (Daredevil), Tzi Ma (24, Rush Hour), comedian Bobby Lee (MAD TV), producer Terence Chang (Mission Impossible II), casting director Heidi Levitt (The Joy Luck Club), writer Frank Chin, and directors Gene Cajayon (The Debut), Justin Lin (The Fast and Furious III; Better Luck Tomorrow) and Eric Byler (Charlotte Sometimes). The Slanted Screen integrates these diverse voices to offer a rich and thorough exploration that is enlightening, amusing, and entertaining. Above all, The Slanted Screen envisions a future where the complexities of a multi-ethnic society are fully portrayed in film. Director: Jeff Adachi Producer: Jeff Adachi and Alex Yeung Writer: Jeff Adachi Cinematography: Ann Kaneko Production Design: Sean Dana Music: Michael Becker Cast: Mako, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Jason Scott Lee, James Shigeta, Dustin Nguyen, Phillip Rhee, Will Yun Lee, Tzi Ma, Bobby Lee, Justin Chin. C-56m.

Quotes

Trivia

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States Fall October 13, 2006

Released in United States May 10, 2007

Released in United States on Video May 1, 2007

Aired in USA on PBS on May 10, 2007.

Screened with 8-minute short "Screen Test."

Released in United States on Video May 1, 2007

Released in United States May 10, 2007

Released in United States Fall October 13, 2006