Jun 10

Jun 10 Talking Taiwan: Peilin Kuo On Indie Film Making and the Life of Anna May Wong

In October of last year, Anna May Wong became the only Asian American and fifth woman to appear on the U.S. quarter as a part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program. Anna May Wong is one of the better known early Chinese American movie stars. She was the first Asian American actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She received it in 1960, the inaugural year of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Anna May Wong was regarded as a fashion icon in the 1920s and 30s, and was also politically outspoken. In May, Barbie announced the release of an Anna May Wong Barbie doll for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

To talk about the life and times of Anna May Wong I’ve reached out to Peilin Kuo a Taiwanese filmmaker who’s made a few short films about Anna May Wong and has plans to work on a biopic about the actress. Peilin also talked about some of her recent film projects, her love of martial arts films and her next film project that will be set in Taiwan.

[LISTEN to the Complete Episode HERE on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY]

This episode of Talking Taiwan has been sponsored by NATWA, the North America Taiwanese Women's Association.

NATWA was founded in 1988, and its mission is:

1. to evoke a sense of self-esteem and enhance women's dignity,

2. to oppose gender discrimination and promote gender equality,

3. to fully develop women's potential and encourage their participation in public affairs,

4. to contribute to the advancement of human rights and democratic development in Taiwan,

5. to reach out and work with women's organizations worldwide to promote peace for all.

To learn more about NATWA visit their website: www.natwa.com

Here’s a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode:

How Anna May Wong became the only Asian American and fifth woman to appear on the U.S. quarter as a part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program in October 2022

Anna May Wong was the first Asian American actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960
In May, Barbie announced release of an Anna May Wong Barbie doll for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Taiwanese filmmaker Peilin Kuo who’d made a few short films about Anna May Wong
Peilin’s interest and start in filmmaking
Peilin’s connection and upbringing in Taiwan
What made Peilin decide to move to New York City
How Peilin first learned about Anna May Wong and what impressed her about Anna May Wong
Peilin’s approach to in creating her short films about Anna May Wong
Peilin’s plans to make a biopic about Anna May Wong
What set Anna May Wong apart from other Chinese American actresses
Anna May Wong appeared in 50-60 films
The stereotypical characters that Anna May Wong portrayed and the discrimination and anti-miscegenation laws she had to deal with
How Anna May Wong was a fashion icon and politically outspoken
Chinese press and government were critical of Wong but, Peking University awarded the actress an honorary doctorate in 1932.
Later in life Anna May Wong was outspoken about better film roles for Chinese Americans
Anna May Wong was passed over for the character O-Lan in the film version of Pearl Buck’s book, The Good Earth; MGM cast Luise Rainer to play the leading role in yellowface, later Rainer won an Oscar for her performance
Other stereotypically Asian character played by non-Asian actors in yellowface like Mickey Rooney’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Anna May Wong’s visit to China in 1936
How Anna May Wong passed away at the age of 56 before she was supposed appear in the film, Flower Drum Song
How there are no recordings of TV show Anna May Wong appeared in called the Gallery of Madam Liu Tsong
Liu Tsong was Anna May Wong’s birth name
Peilin’s next film project which will be set and shot in Taiwan
Peilin’s other film projects in the sci-fi and martial arts genre
Peilin’s love of martial arts films
How Peiln’s short film Once Upon A Time In The Bamboo was inspired by the film, A Touch of Zen (by director King Hu)
What Peilin loves about filmmaking
What she would be doing if she wasn’t a filmmaker
Peilin’s approach to filmmaking
Peilin’s advice for others who want to pursue filmmaking