Speaking at a press conference during the Berlin Film Festival on Friday, Michelle Yeoh said the fight for Asian representation in Hollywood “continues to be a struggle.”
The 63-year-old star, who made history as the first Asian woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, received the festival’s honorary Golden Bear on Thursday evening. Despite the critical and commercial success of recent projects, she noted that the industry still faces deep-rooted hurdles.
“I don’t think issues like that go away overnight,” Yeoh told reporters. She recalled that when Crazy Rich Asians was produced in 2018, critics and industry insiders suggested the project “ticked all the wrong boxes” to be a success.
Read more: Michelle Yeoh Pays Tearful Tribute To Parents at Berlinale, Calls For More Asian Recognition
Yeoh argued that the shifting tastes of cinema-goers are the real drivers of change. While studios may be hesitant to take chances on diverse stories, she believes audiences are more open than ever before.
“Fortunately, we did hit a nerve and reached an audience,” she said. “Audiences are evolving. Making movies is a risk, and our job is about taking that risk because we believe that the story needs to be told.”
She pointed to subsequent successes like Marvel’s Shang-Chi and Everything Everywhere All at Once as evidence that bold storytelling can prevail. She described the directors of the latter, Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, as “little geniuses” for their courage in making a film that defied traditional Hollywood expectations.
A return to roots
The actress also expressed a desire to support the film industry in Hong Kong, where she first began her career in high-octane action movies. She acknowledged that global cinema is currently “facing a rough time” but confirmed she plans to return to the region later this year.
“I will always have a soft spot and a place in my heart for Hong Kong cinema,” she remarked. “I intend to go back and make a movie there this year.”
Read more: Michelle Yeoh Stars in ‘Sandiwara,’ a Cinematic Love Letter to Malaysian Culture
Yeoh is currently involved in several high-profile projects, including the third film in China’s The Wandering Earth science-fiction franchise. Other peers in the industry, such as actress Kelly Hu, have similarly noted that the shift toward Asian talent is “the beginning of something significant” rather than just a passing trend.
The Berlin Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale, is scheduled to run until 22 February.
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