LORDS OF DOGTOWN
checked out the trailer for “Lords of Dogtown” a fictional take on “Dogtown and Z-Boys.” i must say i am disappointed that Jeff Ho is not represented in the fictional film. for all the lack of representation and quality parts for asians in film, the part of Jeff Ho, a true individual, innovator, and key figure in the dogtown scene would have been so sweet. (Jeff Ho is a legendary board shaper, sponsored the “Zephyr Competition Skate Team” and was the co-owner of the “Jeff Ho & Zephyr Productions Surf Shop,” headquarters for the Z-boys.) at least Peggy Oki and Shogo Kubo are in the movie.
i suppose it’s a sticking point for me, when asian-americans are stereotyped into such limited film roles and given such little mainstream visibility that there were these true originals shredding it up in the grittiest of what was to become a massive force in american culture. his role would have been one stereotype-busting pleasure. the crazy-loner-artist, long-haired, living-out-his-car surf bum and board shaper in films is never supposed to be asian and truly american. and they sure aren’t responsible for the kind of shocking genius that sweeps american culture and the world by storm, right?
more info: Lords of Dogtown originally published in Spin Magazine
an LA Weekly article on the Ghosts of Dogtown
August 8th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
I saw LODT on tv. And Yeah, so, I’m thinking, well, here’s a movie with no asian dudes/dudettes with speaking lines. And then I think, well, what the hell would an asian dude be doing with punk-skaters in the 70’s? It doesn’t have to be a united benneton colors commercial with one person of every race in the movie, smiling and holding hands.
But I really like the movie; it seemed so honest. See, I have an interest in “underground” movements, having grown up in the early DJ/turntable/dance scene of Atlanta, and having to watch dance culture molested and grotesquely mashed into TV ads, etc etc. Not being a skater, I can’t relate directly, but I would guess it’s analogous. So I start looking around on the net, and if I believe what I read, it seems that Jeff Ho got seriously left out of the film?? WHAT THE F-. Now, I’m angry. My asian “half” at least. I realize that you can only tell so much story in 2 hours or whatever; editorializing is necessary, expected, etc. But it’s just that in Hollywood films, there’s this trend to marginalize asian males, and it pisses me the f off the more I see it. Half of me, I mean. Did Peralta make “Giants” also? Another great film which resists the easiest of cliches in another sport that is completely overwrought with them? The asian demeanor allows this neglect and will continue to allow it. Can we just get back to our math homework, now?
Well, it could have been worse in the wrong hands… at least Peggy Oki isn’t reduced to a helpless dragon-girl rescued by some great white hero boy.
k