Friday, September 26, 1997
Film defines identity of a diverse Asian America
FILM: Artist canvasses nation to measure cultural mix
By William Li
Daily Bruin Contributor
Standing in front of the Statue of Liberty, Renee Tajima-Pena
begins with a voice-over: "To tell you the truth, I never would
have been born if it wasn’t for a mob of Asian-haters."
This first line of narration from Tajima-Pena’s new documentary
film, "My America … or honk if you love Buddha" sounds a lot like
an opening for another radical white-bashing diatribe, doesn’t
it?
But Tajima-Pena’s film is actually about an Asian America that
is part of America, not separate from it. She continues with an
anecdote about her immigrant grandfather. Upon landing in San
Francisco in 1906, he was chased out of town by merchant mariners –
only to miss the great earthquake that hit the next day.
With rave reviews across the country and a Sundance award for
best cinematography in a documentary, the film is an intriguing and
humorous exploration of the meaning of the Asian American
identity.
"(America is) not this society that’s controlled by this
homogeneous majority, but it’s a society that’s very plural," says
the Oscar-nominated filmmaker. "I’m hoping people, through the
film, will look at things differently."
Shot as a cross-country road trip, the film examines an Asian
America that is almost as diversified as America itself.
In New York, there’s Mr. Choi, a fortune-cookie tycoon who
moonlights as a fish seller, martial arts instructor, calendar
manufacturer and traffic officer. There are the eighth-generation
Burtanog sisters in New Orleans, honorary whites because the
Philippines were formerly a Spanish colony.
With the life of Victor Wong, iconoclastic actor and ex-Beat
Generation painter, as the dramatic framework for the film, "My
America" delves into the fascinating lives of common people to
reveal an Asian America that is starting to resemble the melting
pot of modern America.
"(With) documentary filmmaking, I have access to people –
incredible people, ordinary people – all over the world, who I
would never have a chance to meet, or never have a chance to enter
their lives any other way," Tajima-Pena comments. "It gives you a
real entree to people."
One person happens to be fellow Bruin Alyssa Kang. Kang is one
of UCLA’s most notable activists, particularly for protests against
anti-immigration legislation. Kang is meant to mirror the
Tajima-Pena of the ’70s and ’80s, who was very involved in the
Asian American and anti-war movements.
"I was looking for somebody who … had a similar experience to
mine when I was in high school and college," Tajima-Pena
reminisces. "So I called Russell Leong, who’s the editor of the
Amerasian journal, in the Asian American studies office. And I
said, ‘I’m looking for a real strong student to film,’ and he said,
‘Alyssa. You gotta meet Alyssa.’"
The film also includes archival footage of an anti-Prop 187
sit-in at Murphy Hall, where LAPD officers arrested Kang. That’s
just her public side, though.
Kang also discusses her mother’s disapproval of her activism and
her abusive father. It’s a poignant moment in the film. Kang’s
devotion and involvement despite domestic estrangement garners
Tajima-Pena’s admiration.
"Just taking a stand: That’s what Alyssa really symbolizes,"
Tajima-Pena says. "You don’t have to agree with her politics or her
own point of view, but she wants to be a part of life. She wants to
be a part of America."
This is one of the film’s main points: Asian Americans are
Americans. On one level, "My America" fulfills the documentary
function, updating the diversification of the Asian American
identity with insights into different and unique lives and
experiences. But just as "My America" fills a chapter in the
history of Asian America, the film tacks on a page to America’s
future and issues a challenge to Asian Americans: Here, you
write.
"The problem with Asian Americans is I think we tend to want to
be in our circle of our families and maybe our own kind, and we
don’t get out as much as we should and be a part of the larger
community – whether it’s the larger Asian American community or the
community where you live," says Tajima-Pena.
"My America" goes a long way toward expanding the circle of
Asian America to encompass America as a whole. Rather than wallow
in the uniqueness of Asian Americans, the film tries to establish a
common ground with other Americans.
"We’re trying to change America’s vision of itself," Tajima-Pena
explains. "So hopefully when Americans look at ‘My America,’ they
realize that everybody they meet on screen is part of their
neighborhood, part of their nation."
To further educate the public on Asian Americans, Tajima-Pena is
planning a long-term project dealing with the campaign finance
controversy involving Asian Americans. She spent the summer in
Washington, DC filming senate hearings on immigrant women
workers.
"Asian Americans have been very organized and they try to
educate the newspapers," says Tajima-Pena. "They try to educate
Congress. They try to educate the public of what our real history
is. That’s one reason I wanted to make a film. Asian Americans have
been involved in making this democracy since we got here."
Having established themselves in this democracy, what is the
role of Asian Americans? "My America" looks at several
possibilities, but the ultimate answer is left to the masses.
At the film’s end, Tajima-Pena realizes: "The question is not
how people become real Americans, but how America has become its
people."
These are words fit to grace the pages of America’s future. It’s
up to everyone else to fill in the rest.
FILM: "My America … or honk if you love Buddha" opens today at
Laemmle Grande and runs until Oct. 2.
This is one of the film’s main points: Asian Americans are
Americans.