Independent Lens | What is “Yellow Fever”? | Seeking Asian Female | Video Extra | PBS

This is another Wet Asian. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/seeking-asian-female/ Premiering May 6, 2013 at 10pm. Check local listings: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/broadcast.html In this video companion piece to the Independent Lens documentary, Seeking Asian Female, the filmmakers survey people in interracial relationships on the topic of yellow fever–Western white men having an obsession with East Asian women. A quick assessment of dating websites, in-person matchmaking, and the back-pages of free newspapers will tell you that Asian women are still perceived by many to be the romantic (or sexual) ideal. In this clip, “yellow fever” is defined by men who have it, by experts that have studied it (like Sheridan Prasso, journalist and author of The Asian Mystique: Dragon Ladies, Geisha Girls and the Myth of the Exotic Oriental), and by women on both sides of the spectrum (fetishized and not).  One white male interviewee remarks his attraction is “so hard to explain.” In contrast, Professor Elaine Kim of UC Berkeley’s Ethnic Studies counters that Western men have historically been fascinated by the exotic imagery of Asian women. In this and the other episodes, They’re All so Beautiful opens with a question, provides answers, and then asks some more. They’re All So Beautiful is a forum on race and dating built around a five-part video series by the filmmaking team behind Seeking Asian Female. Each episode begins with a question to which the audience is encouraged to respond. Many of the questions posed have either been confirmed or challenged by Asian Americans and non-Asian Americans alike. Guest bloggers will contribute perspectives based on their experiences and spark further discussion. Visit They’re All So Beautiful: http://theyreallsobeautiful.com/ About the Film Steven is an aging white man with “yellow fever,” who is obsessed with marrying any Asian woman, imagining the archetype of the shy, giggling, obedient Asian wife. Sandy is the young, feisty, ambitious Chinese bride he finds online. Debbie is the Chinese American filmmaker who becomes confidante and translator in this precarious union. As they navigate the vast cultural and language divide through a challenging year, the three come together in a thoroughly modern love story. Learn more about “Independent Lens”: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens Watch “Independent Lens” films online: http://video.pbs.org/program/1218239994/