Actor Chow reveals racism in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES: A veteran Chinese actor has described how he came up against a wall of Hollywood during the turbulent 1950s when he was trying to break into showbiz.
Restaurateur-actor Michael Chow made his first film in 1956. On how it was like back then, he said: “I became an actor and did my first film in 1956. I became obsessed with film and I wanted to be a director. But they didn’t want me, maybe because I am Chinese, or maybe because I started too early.”
Chow owns Mr. Chow, the upscale restaurant chain through which he has transformed food into art for the past 30 years, serving clientele that includes celebrity regulars. Chow had also starred in 16 films, held numerous art exhibitions, and designed houses.
Shanghai-born Chow comes from a family of artists. His father, Zhou Xinfang, is a legendary Beijing opera master. Chow left China at 12 and spent his adolescent years in the UK before eventually settling down in Los Angeles. Despite leaving China at a young age, Chow strongly identifies as Chinese, and has done everything he can to honour his heritage.
Recalling a movie script he w\had written, Chow said: “I’ve struggled very hard with it. I talked to the China Film Group and did all kinds of things. It was difficult because there was a section (in the script) about the Cultural Revolution. They wanted to take it out, but I found it difficult to do so because this part is very important. So later, when the climate is right, maybe I will direct it or someone else will direct it.”
What’s his favourite Chinese film?
Admitted Chow: “I am not very appreciative of Chinese films unfortunately. I saw lots of Zhang Yimou’s movies, but I am not that current with them. I just did a film with Gus Van Sant. I had a small role in his latest film Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, which is coming out in May. Joaquin Phoenix is the lead in the film.”
On what can be done to build a stronger Chinese presence in Hollywood, Chow said: “Racism was deeply rooted in Europe and
I became an actor and did my first film in 1956. I became obsessed with film and I wanted to be a director. But they didn’t want me, maybe because I am Chinese, or maybe because I started too early.
America, and that’s why I opened Mr. Chow, which is deliberately designed with universal elements, to build a fortune and then get respect and have more control to do what I want — the art.
From my perspective, the most effective way to get respect in this capitalist country is for Chinese companies to invest in Hollywood and take over the business, like what the Japanese did with Sony in the ’80s. I believe that money talks. It’s a long battle, but films are a powerful medium through which it can happen.”
On the current Hollywood trend to use Chinese characters or Chinese elements to attract Chinese audiences, Chow figured: “I think that would help but some of the stories are dated, and the Chinese characters are American stereotypes, while in reality there are many angles to explore, and much more creativity can be incorporated into such movies.
For example, Zhang Yimou’s The Great Wall wasn’t wellreceived in the West. It’s probably too Chinese for a Western audience. Just adding Matt Damon was not enough to make a great movie.”
Michael Chow, veteran actor