You are here:

Go Back to China

Name: Go Back to China
Director: Emily Ting
Released: 2019
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

8.4/10

Excellent

2019

TV-14

Director

Emily Ting

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Emily Ting’s debut film is a sophisticated exploration of the Asian-American experience. It succeeds by focusing on the lived experiences of individuals with dual cultural identities, moving beyond simplistic portrayals of Eastern or Western life. The film provides characters of color who play a significant role in driving the story within their cultural contexts, challenging traditional Western-centric narratives and offering a nuanced view of heritage. The film's greatest strength lies in its refusal to rely on cultural stereotypes. However, it remains somewhat limited in its scope of representation. While it excels in racial and gendered ability to act, it lacks explicit engagement with LGBTQ+ identities or disabilities, keeping those areas at a more neutral baseline.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Go Back to China have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't have prominent LGBTQ+ storylines or central characters with diverse gender identities. It focuses on personal relationships without explicitly addressing queer issues or the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Go Back to China portray gender?

Good

The film centers on a strong female lead who navigates professional and family life with emotional independence and ability to act. It avoids traditional submissive feminine roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Go Back to China?

Excellent

The film highlights the Chinese diaspora through an Asian-American and Taiwanese cast. It avoids the 'white gaze' by presenting the blend of Western and Eastern heritage as a nuanced reality.

How does Go Back to China represent religion and culture?

Good

The story explores post-colonial themes and the tension between Western and Eastern cultural expectations. It portrays identity as a fluid, situational construct rather than a fixed entity.

Does Go Back to China include disability representation?

Fair

The film does not depict visible or invisible disabilities prominently. The narrative focuses mainly on socioeconomic and cultural identity.

Present on Screen

Sophisticated portrayal of the Chinese diaspora and the complexities of immigrant identities.
Strong female lead with emotional independence and ability to act, avoiding traditional submissive roles.
Avoids the 'white gaze' by highlighting the unique cultural nuances of the characters' heritage.

Limited or Absent

Lack of prominent LGBTQ+ storylines or characters with diverse gender identities.
Minimal representation or focus on visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When party girl Sasha Li blows through most of her trust fund, she is cut off by her father and forced to go back to China and work for the family toy business.

How are these scores produced? →