For this film, I found the concept of postmodern identity to be an interesting factor in the film. Feng discusses identity in relation to this film and how wavering ties to some identity can lead to uncertainty in ones belonging to any given race, culture or group. Steve being an Asian American seems to have relations of identity to both his American back ground as well as his Chinese back ground. He jokes around with Joe for being a FOB and not understanding many of the America's social cues and norms. Their stronger identity and self-assurance allows them to be happy in their lives. After hearing many of the interviews regarding Chan's whereabouts, it would seem that his lack of identity is what lead to his disappearance. Everyone constantly said how much he hated things in America and when he had money he would want to go back to China. When one has no feelings of identity with the culture around them, it can be very hard to get back in that community. These feelings are what give the feeling that Chan's lack of identity caused him to disappear without a trace. Identity is an ever changing factor in our lives, and changes from the day we are born until the day we die. If we can not disregard our expectation of others and try to keep them happy, then we can never be happy ourselves. One must be able to express themselves in a way that is continuous with our identity, and be able to do with so that they are comfortable and not just doing it to please others. Chan was not comfortable putting on a veil of identity while in America, it seems to be expected that one day he would flee for the country in which he identified with.
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For this film, I found the concept of postmodern identity to be an interesting factor in the film. Feng discusses identity in relation to this film and how wavering ties to some identity can lead to uncertainty in ones belonging to any given race, culture or group. Steve being an Asian American seems to have relations of identity to both his American back ground as well as his Chinese back ground. He jokes around with Joe for being a FOB and not understanding many of the America's social cues and norms. Their stronger identity and self-assurance allows them to be happy in their lives. After hearing many of the interviews regarding Chan's whereabouts, it would seem that his lack of identity is what lead to his disappearance. Everyone constantly said how much he hated things in America and when he had money he would want to go back to China. When one has no feelings of identity with the culture around them, it can be very hard to get back in that community. These feelings are what give the feeling that Chan's lack of identity caused him to disappear without a trace. Identity is an ever changing factor in our lives, and changes from the day we are born until the day we die. If we can not disregard our expectation of others and try to keep them happy, then we can never be happy ourselves. One must be able to express themselves in a way that is continuous with our identity, and be able to do with so that they are comfortable and not just doing it to please others. Chan was not comfortable putting on a veil of identity while in America, it seems to be expected that one day he would flee for the country in which he identified with.
Zach Feltman
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