Crouching Oscar, hidden Asians
History of Academy Awards show lack of Asian nominations
Alvina Yeh, staff writer
Feb. 26, 2007

Oh the glam, the glitz! The lights, the colors!

Recently, the Academy Awards has seen a diversification of colors in its nominees and winners of one little golden man – the highly coveted Oscar. In the past, it seemed like the only yellow person at the awards ceremony was Oscar.

Quick, think of an Asian besides Ben Kingsley – who is half Indian – who has won in the Best Actor or Actress category. If you’re stumped it’s because this feat has never happened.

Fifty years ago, the first Asian actress to win any Oscar was Miyoshi Umeki, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Sayonara” in 1958. After that it was almost 30 years until Haing Ngor won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Killing Fields” in 1985.

In the history of the Academy Awards, only a small number of Asians have been nominated and from that, only a handful has won. Noriyuki “Pat” Morita and M. Night Shyamalan are the only American-born Asian nominees. And in the more than two dozen Asian films nominated for Best Foreign Film only one, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” has won. Of course there have been wins in other categories such as Best Cinematography and Best Short Film, but Asians have not been so lucky in the major awards categories.

However, things are not completely bleak. Since the beginning of the new century, there has been a noticeable increase in nominations compared to previous decades. The film industry’s most prestigious awards show has entered its 79th and, by far, most ethnically diverse year yet.

Last evening’s results showed a step in the right direction with Rinko Kikuchi nominated for Best Supporting Actress for “Babel”; “Letters from Iwo Jima” nominated for Best Picture, Director and Screenplay; “The Curse of the Golden Flower” for Best Costume Design; “The Blood of Yingzhou District” winning Best Documentary; and “The Departed,” based on Hong Kong film “Infernal Affairs,” winning multiple awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Asian and Asian-American artists in the film industry have not always been recognized by mainstream awards shows for their talents, but contributions cannot be forgotten from actors such as James Shigeta who made history by beating a white rival to win the heart of Carroll Baker in “A Bridge to The Sun.” Mira Nair continues to direct one brilliant movie after another. And Justin Lin brought to life “Better Luck Tomorrow,” the first mainstream Asian-American film.

With countless more actors, actresses and directors to mention, perhaps Oscar will see a few more fellow yellows in the future.

Alvina Yeh is a staff writer for AsiaXpress.com. You can contact Alvina via e-mail at Alvina.Yeh@asiaxpress.com.