Hollywood Chinese

Hollywood Chinese, directed by Arthur Dong in 2007, is a documentary we watched which depicted both the history and national view of Asian and Asian American actors in the 1900's. It brought interviews from predominant figures in the cinema world today, including writers, directors and actors.
The documentary showed candid interviews which touched on topics like stereotypes and limited casting roles for Asian American actors. It also depicted the job market and casting roles that would develop throughout the 20th century. It touched on current films but also went back to movies and musicals that Nancy Kwan starred in. The film talked about Bruce Lee, and the development of the martial arts roles that would develop for Asian American actors. Other examples were films from the silent era and one of the first leading male roles for an Asian American actor, to the first silent film made by and Asian American.  It also touched on the market for non Asian actors to play Asian roles, and some of the over-the-top cheesy makeup and molds that were used to create the effect, like fu Manchu. 
The documentary was informational, but also insightful. It touched on a lot of different topics and heartfelt stories from a great cast of interviewees.