Turning Red: The Unsettling Chroma of Cultural Controversy
The latest Pixar offering, Turning Red, has been at the center of a maelstrom of controversy since its release on Apple TV+. The animated film, directed by Domee Shi, tells the story of a 13-year-old girl named Meilin "Mei" Lee who turns into a giant red panda whenever she experiences strong emotions. While the film's irreverent humor and lovable characters have earned praise from many, it has also sparked heated debates about representation, racism, and cultural appropriation. At the heart of the controversy lies a complex web of issues that extends far beyond the film's ostensibly innocent premise.
For many, Turning Red's eclecticism is a source of fascination. The film's setting, a stylized representation of 2002 San Francisco Chinatown, is a love letter to the vibrant culture of Asian Americans. Mei's family, like many Asian families, is depicted as loving but strict, with Mei's mother valuing her daughters' academic and extracurricular performance above all else. However, this authentic portrayal has been met with criticism by some, who argue that the film reductively portrays Chinese culture as overly traditional and patriarchal. "The movie reinforces stereotypes about Asian mothers being overbearing and controlling," says Wei Ming Dariotis, a professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University. "It's not representative of the vast diversity of Asian American experiences."
The Debate Around Racial Representation
Turning Red's handling of racial identity has also sparked debate. The film's protagonist, Mei, is voiced by Rosalie Chiang, a Chinese-Canadian actress who has spoken out about her own experiences with racism. However, some argue that the film's portrayal of racism is shallow and inaccurate. Mei's struggles with white supremacy are depicted in a montage of bullying and microaggressions, but the actual perpetrators are relatively absent. "The film doesn't really hold white people accountable for their racism," notes Kathleen Collins, a sociologist who has studied Asian American experiences. "It reinforces the notion that racism is something that only happens to people of color, rather than a systemic issue that affects everyone."
The Banks Okun Principle and Cultural Exchange
Cultural exchange between different groups is often touted as a positive force, fostering understanding and empathy. However, some argue that Turning Red exemplifies a problematic form of cultural appropriation. According to the Banks Okun principle, an African diasporic concept that outlines the best practices for addressing cultural appropriation, cultural exchange should be a two-way street. When one culture borrows from another, it should do so in a way that respects the original context and meaning. In the case of Turning Red, some argue that the film cherry-picks elements of Chinese culture and deploys them without understanding or context. "The film's use of Tibetan singing bowls, for example, is a clear example of cultural appropriation," says Guo Baojun, a cultural critic and expert on Chinese aesthetics. "It uses a symbol of Tibetan culture to evoke a 'spiritual' and 'mystical' atmosphere, without any regard for the actual cultural significance of those symbols."
Disney's Response to Criticism
In response to the controversy surrounding Turning Red, Disney has remained largely silent. The company has made tokenistic gestures, such as partnering with Asian American organizations to promote the film's release. However, this moderation has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that Disney fails to understand the deeper implications of cultural representation and appropriation. "People are upset because they feel like Disney is profiting from these cultural tropes without actually listening to or understanding the discussions around them," writes Isaac Chong, a freelance writer who covers Asian American issues. "The company is less concerned with cultural sensitivity than with selling merchandise and boxes."
What is Culturally Sensitive Animation?
- It seeks to understand and engage with the targeted culture and community
- It avoids dominant cultural tropes and signifiers
- It invites feedback and open dialogue with the community being represented
- It acknowledges and compensates cultural producers, especially when adapting cultural stories or borrowing ideas
- It actively seeks out and incorporates diverse perspectives and expertise
Turning Red raises complex questions about cultural representation and animation. Through their floodgates, the film reminds us that authentic depictions of cultural experience are more than just a conversation starter. There are crucial details, nuances and complexities that can tip representation from sincere to templated sensationalism.
