Yingzixuan Wang

"I AM NOT THE MODEL MINORITY"

Section MS18, Ayanna Blair-Ford

Keywords: identity, moving image

I AM NOT THE MODEL MINORTY embarks on a mission to unravel and challenge the prevailing narratives enveloping the Asian community. Through this 10-minute cinematic journey, the filmmaker endeavors to peel back the layers of stereotypes, shedding light on their profound societal implications.

With meticulous curation of archival footage, imagery, and contemporary media snippets, the film aims to construct a visual narrative that acts as a prism, revealing the obscured truths buried beneath stereotypes. Far from a mere cinematic endeavor, this project represents a heartfelt exploration—a pilgrimage through the intricate tapestry of Asian experiences.

Embracing the spectrum of diversity, the project seeks to showcase the myriad hues within Asian identities. Spanning different races, socio-economic strata, and generational divides, each narrative contributes to a symphony that disrupts the simplistic melodies of the model minority stereotype.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Asian storytelling traditions, the project endeavors to infuse elements of Chinese opera, the rhythmic pulse of Peking Opera drumming, and the transformative art of face-changing. These echoes from the past serve not only as artistic embellishments but as potent tools for reshaping narratives, challenging Eurocentric perspectives, and amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.