Sally Tran Explores Anti-Asian Racism in “Centuries and Still” Short Film

From the release:

Centuries and Still is a mixed media illustrated short film telling the history of anti-Asian racism and violence in the U.S.

The film seeks to unveil how history took part in the birth and perpetuation of today’s surge of anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes. The search for justice goes back to the Gold Rush era fetishization of Asian women, to today’s hate crimes targeting Asian elders.

The film was inspired by Vietnamese director Sally Tran’s same-style film 60 Years and Still which portrays the history of racism and police brutality against Black people in America over six decades.

Through this short film, Sally Tran hopes to continue ‘education in action’ through a unique hybrid of documentary and miniature-looking history, and shooting on multiple formats including 16mm and Super 8 film, and VHS and digital formats to match the era. The archival audio and voiceovers anchor the audience in the reality of the past and the present.

Director: Sally Tran
Producers: Phuong Vo, Ditte Ravnild
Cinematographer: Isabella Tan
Art Director: Thuy .T Nguyen
Illustrators: Sang Oh, Vivian Zhang, Lorraine Nam, Nhung Le, Kyung Eun You, Lys Bui, Maria Tran, Nhi Corcoran
Fabricator: Nhi Corcoran, Hadidja Alek, Jessica Smith
Designer: Hoa Nguyen, Danni Fisher-Shin
Gaffer: Dada Shikako
1st AC: Tommy Chan
2nd AC: Bellyn Ooi
Production Assistant: Bach Dinh
Art Assistants: Huyen Tran, Nhi Le Xuxu, Michelle Wong
Writers: Joyce Keokham, Cyrena Lee
Editor: Sally Tran
Co-Editor: Andrew Hallenberg
Compositors: Danilo Lima, Marcus Wei, Sally Tran
Design Assistant: Antoinie Eugene
Colorist: Ayumi Ashley
Jr Colorist: Mark Senna
Color Producer: Will Mok

Sound Design/Mix: Calvin Pia
Voice Overs: Joyce Keokham, Giullian Yao Gioiello

Immediate Byte