Thursday, June 19, 2008
Guru continues a racist filmmaking tradition
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comment
|
Though Mike Myers plays an American in The Love Guru, gags related to his upbringing in an Indian ashram perpetuate Asian stereotypes popularized on the big screen, which TCM's Race and Hollywood series examines this month. This brought to mind other popular (if awful) ethnic caricatures.
5. The Jazz Singer (1927) The first of the talking pictures secured a place in history for its technical innovations, but its views on race lack originality. Blackface was so 1915.
4. You Don't Mess With The Zohan (2008) Combine a reduction of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a blender with homophobia. Serve with pita. Feh.
3. The Party (1968) Following his performances as French detective Jacques Clousseau and Cold War-era U.S. President Merkin Muffley, British-born Peter Sellers plays a bumbling Indian, Hrundi V. Bakshi. This technologically-challenged character is juxtaposed with equally cartoonish Hollywood types.
2. Borat (2006) The first film featuring characters from Sacha Baron Cohen's Da Ali G Show prompted lawsuits not only from duped frat boys and genteel southerners who weren't in on the joke, but also lobbyists on behalf of an ethnic group no longer wishing to be called gypsies.
1. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) In the classic film adaptation of Truman Capote's novel, Mickey Rooney is horribly miscast in the cameo role of Holly Golightly's landlord Mr. Yunioshi, because no self-respecting Asian actor would consider the part.
Related stories
- Asian Film Fest Dallas plans free screening of The Crimson Kimono (June 23, 2008)
- Pegasus News Week in View: Juneteenth edition (June 19, 2008)
See more stories in:
Find...
Latest Outbursts
- If you aren't willing to give your land away for free, the Irving City Council thinks you're a big meanie and will whine about you in the press.
- Romanian Festival in Colleyville
- Jack Ruby's hat sold for $53,775
- Dallas Morning News says North Texas Tollway Authority spending large sums on outside contractors
Today
The Wonderful Sounds of Music With the Von Trapp Children Bass Performance Hall will be alive with The Sound of Music! The actual great-grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp give their last performance today. More info
Latest comments
- Vincent on Farmers market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland has promising opening day: Great article, Teresa! Also, let me take this opportunity to thank the vendors who attended this fir...
- Jason Rice on Nana's Kountry Kitchen in Grapevine is proud of its chicken-fried steak: So that new keyboard is working out for you....
- jdn9464 on Romanian Festival: too expensive and admission is charged. I have no problem with fundraisers but come on. I felt like ...
- Jesus Valadez on Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes: My carbon footprint will consist of me going to space! Who would like to donate so I can go to the f...
Latest reviews
- Billusa99 on Pappas Bros. Steak House: Agent 99 and I had dinner here last week for our anniversary and it was stellar! The somm. we had re...
- Colby Walton on El Taco H (Grapevine): Tried this Grapevine strip center taqueria for the first time tonight, after seeing it mentioned in ...
- lindabear1 on Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine: We live in Garland and this is “way up there”, but we had a coupon! Now we will go back again becaus...
Things you can't miss
Latest stories
- Ethics of Food panel stirs it up on Friday at Dallas Institute of Humanities
- Farmers market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland has promising opening day
- Tickets go on sale November 21 for John Mayer's March 9 Battle Studies concert
- Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2
- Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes
Post a comment