Alum's documentary premieres on PBS

American feature films often portray the Chinese as exotic and devious characters—or simply the “other.” An award winning documentary by Cinema alumnus Arthur Dong chronicles the full gamut of Chinese representation in Hollywood. “Hollywood Chinese” premieres on PBS’ “American Masters” series at 9pm May 27.

The 90-minute film features interviews with candid interviews and back lot stories from artists in front of and behind the camera, including Joan Chen, James Hong, David Henry Hwang, Nancy Kwan, Ang Lee, Christopher Lee, Justin Lin, Luise Rainer, Amy Tan and Wayne Wang.

“Hollywood Chinese” won the 2007 Golden Horse Award, China’s top cinematic honor. It is the latest documentary by Dong (B.A., ’82) to inspire social awareness and change. Among his best-known is “Licensed to Kill,” about the psyche of killers of gay men. While attending SF State, Dong made a film about his mother’s immigration to America from China, “Sewing Woman,” which was nominated for a 1984 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.