The very fact that this new version is animated and targeted towards children makes it doubly offensive. It may lead young viewers to believe that the stereotypical images of Asians and inherent discriminatory train of thought in the film are tolerable.
The original musical and film contain many historical and cultural errors.
Many decorative elements and Thai "customs" portrayed in the film are either depicted in inappropriate contexts or are simply not Thai. In keeping with a common practice in portraying Asian countries in the 1950s, the Siam (Thailand's historical name) portrayed in "The King and I" is a bizarre amalgam of various Asian cultural elements and elements created by Western sources to seem exotic and Oriental.
His Royal Highness King Mongkut of Thailand is portrayed as an arrogant, stubborn, uneducated tyrant to be refined and taught the "correct" Western traditions by his children's schoolteacher, Anna. Factual errors abound in the film and musical's portrayal of the King.
The king was, in reality, a highly intelligent and thoughtful man whose passion for science was sparked by exposure to the Western science of cartography. He devoted himself to the study of astronomy and correctly predicted a solar eclipse.
The film and musical's story imply that Anna's advice and friendship to the king helped avert Thailand's possible colonization by Britain and changed him into a softer, more compassionate individual. In actuality, Anna Leonowens is a figure of little significance in Thai history. Her "place" only results from her account of the time she spent in Siam; her book created the insulting tarnish on Thailand's world reputation.
The storyline and the concept of "The King and I" are offensive to all Asian Americans. It is a classic case of "Orientalism" in the arts of the West. The Thai king is portrayed as an ignorant, untamed savage who must be educated by a Western intervening force; this characterization is an archetypal example of the Orientalist misrepresentation of Asians as simple, childlike figures who must be refined.
In addition, the new animated version of "The King and I" further defiles Asian culture by propagating stereotypes, including mystical invocations of dragons and the short, round, jolly, Buddha-like Asian.
The appearance of such stereotypes in 1999 is simply shocking. These misportrayals of Asian people are a lingering reminder of outdated prejudices; they remain ongoing affronts during a time in which Asian Americans are establishing as strong an identity in this country as they have ever had. As we approach a new millennium, we would like to believe that such derogatory stereotypes will be omitted from popular media.
The University's Thai Students Association denounces Warner Brothers for continuing the abhorrent legacy of "The King and I." Its sustained existence remains a slap in the face to Thais and Asians everywhere. The film's methods of stereotyping must not be allowed to live on to influence any new audiences. TSA asks for your support in avoiding this film in respect for the people of Thailand and the concept of equality everywhere.
- This viewpoint was submitted by Art and Design student Isra Wongsarnpigoon on behalf of the University's Thai Students Association. It is comprised of approximately 150 graduate students and 75 undergraduates. It has been in existence in its current form since 1993. TSA will be performing a short skit voicing some of the above concerns about "The King and I" at Generation APA, University's annual
student-run Asian American cultural show. Generation APA will occur on March 31, 1999, at the Power Center on the University's Central Campus. For more information about TSA, contact Isra Wongsarnpigoon, publicity chair, at
827-0956 or e-mail ivw@umich.edu.
03-17-99
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