End game

As electricity crackles, the mad scientist lifts the steaming potion to his lips and drinks deep. His mouth erupts into a sinisterThreatening, or suggesting that something frightening or disturbing will happen. grin. There is no doubt that he is up to no good.

This is Dr Fu Manchu, as portrayed by Boris KarloffStage name of the English actor William Henry Pratt (1887 - 1969), best known for his portrayals of Frankenstein's monster. in 1932. Invented 20 years earlier by pulp novelist Sax Rohmer, Manchu is an evil genius and an anti-Chinese stereotype. He has been played by 10 actors in numerous Hollywood films.

A new film comes out today that hopes to blow such prejudice away. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the 25th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first to star a predominantly East Asian cast. 

It has already been widely acclaimed for its "deeply human spark" and "immense soulfulness". Rotten Tomatoes records 92% positive reviews.

Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu plays the hero. He is joined by numerous talented actors of Asian origin, including Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina and Fala Chen. 

But it is Hong Kong cinema legend Tony Leung who has won plaudits. Critics have commented on his "depths of character" and mix of "grace and cold steel". One writes: "It's the best performance from the Marvel Cinematic Universe."

Leung's character is named MandarinAs well as the name for China's largest language group, Mandarin was also a name given to a type of bureaucrat in Imperial China., which itself might be regarded as orientalistA mode of thought which exaggerates differences between European and Asian cultures, often viewing the latter as inferior. The term was famously used by the scholar Edward Said to describe Western depictions of the Middle East.. But in previous tellings of Shang-Chi's story, he was named Fu Manchu, a copy of Rohmer's racist invention.

Anti-Asian racism has a long history. In 1882 the US Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, banning Chinese people from entering the country. During the Second World War, America imprisoned around 120,000 people of Japanese descent in concentration campsA large prison for people held without legal justification, such as political prisoners or persecuted minorities. The first concentration camps were built by British colonial rulers in South Africa, but the term is most associated with Nazi camps, some of which were used to execute Jewish and other inmates as well as to imprison them..

This racism was also reflected in American popular culture, which relegated Asian characters to villain and comic relief roles. As Shang-Chi screenwriter Dave Callaham says: "We're the butt of jokes and stereotypes."

Inadequate depiction of Asians continues to the present day. In 2016, Asian actors played only 1% of lead roles. Asians make up 5.7% of the American population. They are often typecast or victims of whitewashingDeliberately concealing incriminating facts. .

This new rendition of Shang-Chi aims to combat prejudice. Callaham began writing Leung's role with a list of stereotypes not to use. The film's diverse cast may allow more Asian moviegoers to identify with the characters on screen.

Many have already hailed the film as a major step. Crowdfunding pages have been set up to allow Asian-Americans to see the film. "A single movie," says Bing Chen, an activist for Asians in entertainment, "does not change the world forever, but it does start to stoke it".

This is up for debate. In Britain, the 1966 television film Cathy Come Home led to broad discussion of homelessness and the founding of the charity Crisis. Yet homelessness remains an enormous issue.

Besides, Marvel films do not exist to right wrongs, but to make money. Disney CEO Bob Chapek described the film's release as an "interesting experiment" - not the words of someone who wants to change the world. 

Can a film finally end decades of prejudice?

Yes, say some. The invisibility of real Asian stories in the media has fuelled stereotypes. By making a rich tapestry of Asian characters visible in one of the world's biggest franchises, Shang-Chi will make a whole section of society visible and identifiable. In the year that saw Chloe Zhao become the first Asian director to win an Academy Award, the time is ripe for change.

No, say others. Shang-Chi might have admirable aspects. But it is still a blockbuster confection, dreamed up to entertain. It was made by Disney, an American-run company whose main ambition is box office receipts. Besides, works of art almost never provoke large cultural changes. Prejudice needs to be tackled more directly, through education, government policy and real world action.