News on Crouching Tiger

The San Francisco Chronicle has published an article suggesting that the massive success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon may be the beginning of a “cultural shift in Hollywood,” and a greater appreciation and interest in Asian culture by mainstream America. Lambert Yam, former member of the board of the San Francisco Film Society, questions the effect that CTHD will have on the American market. He argues that Crouching Tiger is a special case, and not necessarily likely to create an indelible mainstream taste for Asian cinema in the US. Corey Tong, former director of the Asian American Film Festival, argues that American mainstream viewers are maturing and becoming more receptive to foreign and multi-cultural films. He compares Asian movies to sushi, which was once a newsworthy fad in America but has since become a cross-cultural staple of American society.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards ceremony held Sunday acknowledged Ang Lee with a best director trophy for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and awarded the film itself with the awards for best foreign film and best music.