| In the white-dominant, patriarchal, heteronormative cultural environment, Asian American LGBTQ people stand at the margin of the marginalized Asian American community, bearing double pressure from both deep-rooted racism and the long-lasting patriarchal tradition. Within the sphere of mainstream media, the mis- and underrepresentation of this group is a clear demonstration of their oppressed condition; outside that mainstream circuit, however, the scene is rather different. Filmmakers, as well as theorists and scholars produce vibrant work that not only challenges the mainstream cinematic representation of Asian American LGBTQ people, but also helps shape their own distinctive images and identities. By analyzing four recent Asian American movies, at the intersection of Asian American studies, queer theory, and cinema studies, this thesis explores the representation of LGBT people's identity in Asian American cinema. Through examining the content, style, and perspective of those movies, this thesis aims to reveal the empowering impact of a queer perspective on the process of identity formation in Asian American movies. |
