For She Who Never Breaks

“For She Who Never Breaks” began as an experimental short film made entirely from found footage, spanning across Classical Hollywood cinema to modern day movies. The film aims to explore the hyper-sexualisation of Asian women, particularly the war-originated history behind certain stereotypes that have shaped Asian portrayals often seen in popular media characters.

A comparison between the women and a porcelain doll motif serves as a metaphor for perceived fragility and foreign influence. At its climax, the film’s female characters appear to reach a ‘breaking point’ out of their situational frustrations, hence the title of the film.

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Alongside the film is a physical publication, a short booklet dedicated to one of the film’s ‘stars’ - actress Anna May Wong, who’s performances have all showcased the stereotypes mentioned in the film. The booklet is comprised of charcoal drawings of her as character title cards, as well as the poem that inspired the project.