Go, run, to the Film Forum to see The Grace Lee Project. I saw it on Saturday night and it was a really great documentary that explores the stereotypes assigned to Asian American women, through the lens of women named Grace Lee (the director is named Grace Lee too). Everyone seems to know a Grace Lee, and remembers her as being studious, quiet, nice, shy, smart, and successful, but no one's kept in touch with her. Is this really her? Who is she anyway?
At first, the director tried to find the Grace Lee that would break all of the stereotypes - some punk rock hard drinking chick or something. What she slowly discovers is that many of these Grace Lees may possess some of those stereotypical qualities, but there is so much more behind every one of them that they transcend those stereotypes. Each of the Grace Lees that the director focused on had her own particular story to tell, and it was absolutely fascinating to see what each one has done in her life.
I really connected with this movie on a personal level. I've always been painfully aware of the "good Asian American girl" stereotype and what expectations arise from that. Sometimes I felt like I needed to actively rebel against it, and sometimes I was just resigned to the fact that this image is out there. This film gave me hope that other voices can come into the mainstream consciousness to start a dialogue about these stereotypes.
Anyway, go see the movie, it's very entertaining and touching without being overly sentimental. Which for me is saying a lot.
