Interior Chinatown: A Satirical Takedown of Asian Roles in Hollywood
A Meta Detective Series
A “meta” detective series in which a struggling Asian waiter becomes the unlikely hero of a police procedural-style criminal conspiracy, “Interior Chinatown” satirises Hollywood’s stereotypical treatment of minorities – while also nodding to the progress the industry has belatedly made.
From Page to Screen
The new show, out on Disney-owned Hulu next Tuesday, is based on the critically adored novel by US author Charles Yu, who is of Taiwanese descent. Yu’s 2020 bestseller delivered a humorous takedown of racism in US society through the adventures of Willis Wu, a Hollywood extra reduced to playing roles like “Background Oriental Male” but who dreams of one day being promoted to “Kung Fu Guy.”
A Universal Story
When Wu witnesses a kidnapping, twists and turns see this background actor take on increasingly important roles in the narrative of a criminal intrigue. “He moves on to be kind of like a guest star. And then the tech guy, which, of course, I played before. So, it really drew a lot of parallels to my own career,” said Jimmy O Yang, who stars as Wu.
A Satirical Take
The series blends English, Mandarin, and Cantonese dialogue. The distortion of reality echoes the premise of the original novel, which was itself written in the form of a television screenplay. “It’s such a great metaphor for what it means to be Asian American in this country,” said Yang. “But at the same time, it’s a universal story of someone longing to be more, someone finding themselves in their career.”
A Blended Reality
The show also stars Chloe Bennet, born Chloe Wang to a Chinese father and white American mother, who in real life had to change her last name in order to land roles in Hollywood. Bennet plays Lana Lee, a mixed-race novice cop, who is assigned a case in Chinatown by superiors who incorrectly assume that she must know her way around the Asian neighborhood.
Cast and Crew
The series is directed by Oscar-winning New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit”). Hong Kong-born US actor Jimmy O Yang, who appeared in “Crazy Rich Asians,” stars as Wu. Ronny Chieng (“The Daily Show”) plays Wu’s best friend Fatty Choi.
Conclusion
“Interior Chinatown” is a groundbreaking series that tackles the stereotypical representation of minorities in Hollywood. Through its clever use of meta-storytelling and satire, the show pokes fun at the industry’s biases while also celebrating the diversity and complexity of Asian American experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the premise of the show?
A: The show follows the story of Willis Wu, a struggling Asian waiter who becomes the unlikely hero of a police procedural-style criminal conspiracy.
Q: What is the show’s tone?
A: The show is a satirical take on Hollywood’s stereotypical treatment of minorities, with a touch of humor and wit.
Q: Who is the show’s creator and writer?
A: The show is created and written by Charles Yu, a US author of Taiwanese descent.