TURNING RED &representationofAsianculture

By Linda Zhang

Growing up, Asian children rarely see themselves represented in Western media When Asian culture is depicted it is often an exaggerated representation with unrealistic situations like the character being a secret kung-fu master Because the directors are rarely Asian themselves, these films can perpetuate incorrect stereotypes and narrow the perception of Asian cultures However Turning Red Pixar's 2022 first feature-length film directed by an Asian woman Domee Shi opens doors to a realistic and diverse representation of experiences faced by Asian youth

Set in 2002 Toronto Turning Red features Meilin Lee (Mei), an energetic Chinese-Canadian teenage girl who tries to be a perfect daughter to her traditional-Chinese family The storyline is centered around Meis coming of age, where Mei unexpectedly turns into a giant, fluffy red panda when she experiences strong emotions an analogy for puberty in teenage girls

Along the way, Mei struggles to come to terms with her body changing and tries to satisfy her strict mother and relatives while pursuing what she enjoys

Shi mentions that the film was created based on her own experiences in hopes that Asian teenagers can relate to Meis situation and find comfort in knowing their cultures are well represented. Between the broad depiction of traditional practices, modern Asian media, and the special relationship between Asian parents and children, Shi has certainly achieved her goal and inspired many young Asians

AUTHENTIC ASIAN CULTURE IN "TURNING RED" 1. CULTURAL FOODS

There are often depictions of rice and porridge eaten for breakfast throughout the movie, and Mei is seen wrapping dumplings and bao zis, both traditional Chinese foods, with her mother. By showcasing the diverse foods that foster connections between Mei and her family, Turning Red mirrors the experiences of many Asian teenagers and teaches them to be proud of their heritage

2. ANCESTOR WORSHIP

Ancestor worship is a lesser known aspect of Asian culture, however Meis family stresses connecting with their roots and they are seen burning joss sticks, a special incense for worshiping ancestors as a family

3. ASIAN POP CULTURE

Mei and her friends obsess over a boy band named 4 Town and work to save up money to attend their concert despite their parents opposition Many Asian teens were able to relate to this aspect of Meis life due to their own experiences as fans of K-pop groups or other similar performers

4. EXPECTATIONS

Growing up with perfect grades and being the best child her mom could ask for Mei suddenly experiences changes in her body and emotions that she sees as imperfections Many children of Asian parents experience the overly protective love of their parents, often in the form of academic pressure, stemming from their desire for their childrens success