Following the COVID-pandemic and the eventual lock down in many countries of the world, we have all seen our fair share of conspiracy theories, civil uproar against the various restrictions imposed on us and the growth of hate-speech on social media. At the same time, this worldwide event shed some light on a problematic tendency by private citizens, economic leaders and politicians alike to look for a simple solution and, most importantly, a scapegoat. Given the source of the virus probably being Asia, many societies saw a rise in racism and attacks against people from China, but also from other Asian countries, no matter how many years or generations have lived in the places where these events took place. In her short documentary “Beyond the Model”, supported by The Representation Project, director Jessica Lin takes a look at some of these events with the help of three people who have experienced these attacks, but also delves deeper into the possible sources for these reservations and Asian stereotypes.
Beyond the Model is screening at Mill Valley Film Festival
The short feature, whose aesthetics are remindful of an internet research using YouTube, Google and various other websites and services, mainly focuses on the stories of R. J. Lozada (Filipino-American), Emilie Hong (Chinese-American) and Josephine Lee (Taiwanese-American), their lives in the United States, their experiences with Asian-related racism and their explanations where these stereotypes might come from. Divided into three parts, the documentary quickly moves away from the pandemic, exploring the various ways even Asian countries support certain prejudices, for example, by awarding or celebrating celebrities with a lighter skin tone. Additionally, we are reminded how terms like “Chinese Virus” have sparked aggression against Asian minorities.
In general, “Beyond the Model” is a thought-provoking feature whose title refers to the problematic notion of the “model minority”. Using the attacks against Asian minorities during the pandemic as a foundation, Lin, together with her interviewees, try and find an explanation about why certain minorities are perceived differently than others, experience different layers of racism and thus experience other means of discrimination. What unfolds in front of the viewer is a glimpse into a much bigger context, which could (and probably should) be observed more deeply and thoroughly as its implications might raise questions relevant for many cultures outside the US as well. Additionally, the aforementioned aesthetics of the feature highlight the concept of not only making the viewer think about these connections and statements, but also to explore further, making Lin's documentary an appeal to look, as the title suggests, “beyond the model”.
In the end, “Beyond the Model” is an interesting and thought-provoking short documentary. While the themes she explores could be researched further in a longer feature, Jessica Lin manages to make her viewer interested in looking further and questioning certain aspects of their lives, which may be more problematic than you might think.
