Americanized
Americanized, a short film written and directed by Erica Eng, masterfully combines aspects of both traditional and adopted cultures in order to form a clever narrative on what identity means for a multicultural individual. With a modest run time of merely 17 minutes, Eng accomplishes the daunting task of encapsulating the struggles felt by many descendants of immigrants/non-Americans.
Set in Oakland, California during the early 2000s, main protagonist Eng, depicted by Terry Hu, is placed in a primarily Black atmosphere which influences her to take on traits of the people around her. From the newly made braids in her hair to the way she dresses, Eng feels the strong pull to appropriate and adopt aspects of Black culture as her own in order to fit in. She feels the most alienated among her own teammates, however, who play alongside her in their school’s basketball team. There she finds herself not only cast aside in a cultural aspect, but an athletic one as well. The pacing of this short film, especially during these basketball scenes, is incredibly fitting for the adrenaline-filled environment. On one of the few occasions Eng is permitted to play during a game, this pacing is even more notable. Director Eng’s use of close up shots and swift camera spins keep the viewer in a state of anticipation, following along and connecting to the intensity of the situation.
The parallelism used in this film is also a significant part of what creates such a strong bond between the audience and characters. It shows the lengths that Eng will take in order to prove herself worthy of the acceptance of others, even when that means turning her back on her own identity. In a cultural sense, this is depicted through an inability to connect with aspects of her Chinese heritage – such as language, dress, and food. These integral pieces of culture are also frequently mocked by her fellow Chinese-American peers, alienating her for not only failing to meet their standards but also being too ‘Americanized’. However, in attempts to fit in with her teammates, Eng reaches the extent of chastising and disregarding the people who had once sympathised with her confusion. Thus furthering the dynamic between her inability to resist succumbing to the ones around her in exchange for social acceptance and the turmoil of navigating her own heritage in an American space.
Americanized ultimately serves as a thoughtfully introspective look into the motives behind social conformity and acceptance through the lens of American identity. Eng’s attention to detail towards everything – from 2000s fashion and colloquial staples to framing and pacing – skillfully guide viewers through the colorful world of a Chinese-American teenager and what identity means to her.
