Asian Opera Alliance Documentary

Title:

Belonging (this is a working title)

Brief Logline:

The film will be based on the data collected by the Asian Opera Alliance and on Zoom recordings of interviews with various Asians in the opera business from singers, musicians, conductors, composers, and opera house administrators. It discusses the challenges of representation of Asians in opera, as well as Orientalism, typecasting, and other issues related to race.

Summary of Topic:

Chiara Cox started out not understanding why Asian representation in opera is such a challenge for Asian singers today. Her first documentary delved into the career of a legendary Filipina soprano who did not experience any racism or bias in the 1960s through the 1980s. Through interviews and the use of data collected by Asian Opera Alliance, she hopes to explain to herself first, then the opera world and people outside of it why Orientalism and Asian representation are important topics and of global relevance. She believes she is the best person to tell the story because she loves opera, has the network, skill and passion to create something the Asian Opera Alliance can use to further their mission and a film that would inspire worldwide change in the industry.

Status of Film:

The Asian Opera Alliance (AOA) data is readily shared and available. Chiara currently has completed 13 interviews with key people in the industry. She has a few more to conduct before she sits down to create a story, interweave them with the pertinent AOA data, and edit them all into a cohesive film. Making sense of the problem and offering a solution would be the most challenging stage in the process. The project would need to be completed by May 2026 for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month but will probably be finished by the end of 2026. At that point, submitting to film festivals would be of interest and creating short clips to share on social media.

Total Amount of Funding Secured to Date:

Currently, we have not secured external funding for this project. Filmmaker Chiara Cox has generously committed to volunteering her time and expertise to bring this documentary to fruition. However, obtaining grant funding is crucial to enhance the project's scope, production quality, and overall impact.

Securing financial support from organizations, particularly those dedicated to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) arts and advocacy, will not only provide essential resources but also lend credibility and visibility to the project. Such backing demonstrates community investment and can attract broader interest, extending beyond the opera community. It underscores the project's relevance and the collective commitment to addressing representation, Orientalism, and racial dynamics within the opera industry.

We are actively pursuing grant opportunities to ensure the documentary achieves its full potential in fostering meaningful dialogue and change.

Fundraising Strategy:

Applying for grants and connecting with private organizations to help with this project.

Distribution and Marketing Strategy:

Working with AOA, Chiara will organise screenings and distribute clips and trailers on social media. Chiara plans to submit to pertinent film festivals that focus on Asian American causes, artists in America, documentaries, cultural causes, and classical music.

Key Creative Personnel

Chiara Cox - producer, writer, editor, narrator, interviewer

Asian Opera Alliance and Asians in the field including singers, musicians, a conductor, a choreographer, a director, composers, and administration - interviewees are Alice Chung, Andre Chang, Angela Yam, Bizhou Chang, Helen Huang, Janini Sridhar, Jeannette Lee, Khori Dastoor, Kunio Hara, Maya Kherani, Michelle Mariposa, Nicholas Phan, Nina Yoshida Nelsen, Phil Chan, Priti Gandhi, Robert Feng, Rodell Rosel, Tiffany Chang

Outreach and Engagement:

There will be book recommendations, especially those by director, choreographer, dancer, and writer Phil Chan, which have affected opera houses worldwide and their views on Orientalism. Viewers can become involved with the Asian Opera Alliance and they can advocate via writing to various opera houses in their cities as well. The audience will be invited to help organize screenings. And, AOA will create more interactive social media posts using clips from the film.