Singapore Film Society to Host Virtual Panel Discussion on Asian Representation in Hollywood Films2 min read
Reading Time: 2 minutesCulture and diversity, as portrayed in cinema, is a hot topic these days.
In particular, with the recent success of Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, Minari and Disney’s latest Raya and the Last Dragon, questions abound about representation and the accuracy of Asian portrayals in films, especially those produced by Hollywood and its studios.
In organising the “Southeast Asia, Animated” virtual panel discussion (held on 27 March, 10 AM via Zoom), the Singapore Film Society (SFS) aims to bring about thoughtful discussion to answer burning questions, such as:
• When was the last time you saw someone like you represented in a Hollywood live-action or
animated feature?
• How do supposedly “Asian” portrayals make you feel?
• Were they accurate portrayals, or were they simply accurate enough for Western audiences?
• What does it take to represent Southeast Asia and Asian cultures properly and what does this mean for the film industry and film lovers going forward?
Link to the Zoom panel: http://bit.ly/SEApanel
Attendance to the panel discussion is free and open to all (both SFS members and non-members are welcomed). RSVP can be made via Facebook.
Southeast Asia, Animated is part of the SFS’s regular Kopi & Movi sessions, which invite filmgoers to engage in meaningful discussion with filmmakers, subject-matter experts and fellow film lovers in both in-cinema (within safe-distancing limits) and virtual settings. The last Kopi & Movi session took a leap offline and hosted “watch parties” in cinemas of up to 8 people total (including SFS facilitators) on 6, 7 and 9 March for public screenings of Raya and the Last Dragon, each of which was followed by a post-show discussion. This was followed by a Zoom post-show discussion on 13 March for those who were unable to join the in-cinema sessions.
Upcoming SFS Events
SFS Showcase #1: 2 – 10 April 2021
Upcoming programmes include a new SFS Showcase of SFS original programmed films, starting in April 2021 with 3 acclaimed feature films from Bhutan, Iran and the Philippines. The films revolve around the theme of “Children in Society”, opening with Sun Children by Majid Majidi.
Tickets are available here: https://singaporefilmsociety.com/events/
For information about SFS, to sign up for membership and to get updates about Kopi & Movi and upcoming SFS events, please visit www.singaporefilmsociety.com.
