A History of Race and He(te)rosexuality in the Movies

A History of Race and He(te)rosexuality in the Movies: James Shigeta’s Asian American Male Stardom

Celine Parreñas Shimizu, M.F.A., Ph.D.
Professor, Asian American, Feminist and Film and Media Studies
at the University of California at Santa Barbara

Wednesday, June 3, 2015
12-1:30pm
McCune Conference Room
UCSB HSSB 6th Floor-Tower Side

Contrary to the claim that Asian American men in the movies never kiss, or get the girl, the dashing Japanese American actor James Shigeta starred in 1950s and 60s American movies where he kissed, sexed, and married women, both white and Asian. In his roles, Shigeta confronts the criteria of failing normative manhood, and by arresting its limits, forges a desirable and desirous manhood beyond the disprized, deficient, and weak. Shigeta shows us how to create political possibilities through the power of performance.

Light Refreshments will be provided. If you need assistance due to a disability, please call (805) 893-8039.