The Grace Lee Project Deconstructing an Asian-American Stereotype
When award-winning Korean-American filmmaker Grace Lee was growing up in Missouri, she was the only Grace Lee she knew. As an adult, however, she moved to New York and then California, where everyone she met seemed to know "another Grace Lee." But why did they assume that all Grace Lees were nice, dutiful, piano-playing bookworms?
This refreshing film reveals the intriguing contradiction of the "Grace Lee" persona--simultaneously impressive and forgettable, special and generic, an emblem of a subculture and an individual who defies categorization. With wit and charm, THE GRACE LEE PROJECT challenges the cultural investments made in the idea of Grace Lee, all the while sending her a love letter.
Official Selection at the SXSW Film Festival. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
"... A funny and insightful exploration into identity issues we all can recognize." - Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Running Time
68 mins
Year
2005
Kanopy ID
3288445
Filmmakers
Features
Languages
Subjects
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Comments (5)
Growing up as an Asian American in the Midwest, I always thought I was unique. An original. When I started discovering that my name was a dime a dozen, and even a stand-in for the stereotypical hard working, overachieving Asian American, I knew I had to uncover why that set off an unexpected ...Read more
Growing up as an Asian American in the Midwest, I always thought I was unique. An original. When I started discovering that my name was a dime a dozen, and even a stand-in for the stereotypical hard working, overachieving Asian American, I knew I had to uncover why that set off an unexpected identity crisis.
Read lessA well-crafted film with a series of thoughtful and delightful humor! I especially loved the visualization of an average Grace Lee--her average age, height, years of taking piano lessons and skin type! This film is truly authentic and unique in all the best sense of the word. Thanks!
Such an entertaining, funny look into identity, independence, and what it means to be an Asian-American woman!
This is a great story about having the courage to be you (:
Loved this hilarious and accurate portrayal of the Korean American experience! Perfect film to celebrate May's Asian Pacific Heritage month!