Artists fighting racism with Kung fu
Dozens of Australian artists have produced new works combating increased racism in the wake of the pandemic.
Dozens of Australian artists have been commissioned to create new works combating increased racism in the wake of the pandemic, with major funding provided by several of Australia largest arts councils and organisations.
Diversity Arts Australia’s I Am Not A Virus project came to light around June last year after several hundred Asian Australians reported racists attacks and incidents.
The project, named after a hashtag which trended in the early months of the pandemic, saw funding of between $600 to $2000 provided to a range of artists from the ages of 20 to 50, all of differing ethnic backgrounds and career levels.
The works of these 68 artists are now beginning to surface, with the trailer of one project from Sydney local Maria Tran dropping Wednesday.
Tran produced a comical short film aptly named Operation Kung Flu, which takes the viewer far away to a dystopian land where racism runs rampant and anyone suspected of carrying COVID-19 is kidnapped.
That is until a Cabramatta-based detective is summoned. Using Kung fu she makes it her mission to rescue Sydney’s missing Asian Australian community and restore peace to her city.
The plot holds partially true for actor, filmmaker and martial artist Tran, who also plays the lead. Her character is a “tough as nails cop”.
“In 1980s Hong Kong, there was something magic about that time where women could be leads and not sexualised,” she said.
“I’ve always loved these female high sense of justice chicks of the 80s and 90s. I thought it would be such a cool thing to bring that back.”
Also starring in Operation Kung Flu is Crazy Rich Asians actor Chris Pang, who takes on a Charlie’s Angels-type role by the name of Captain Lee.
“You never see the guy you only hear his voice as he narrates some of the film,” Tran adds.
Also commissioned in the project are artists Jacqueline Lo, Faye Lee, Sarah Tan and Amy Zhang. Their mediums include music, performances, podcasts, dances, art, interviews, mini documentaries, visual arts work, photography, comedy and film, many of which will be exhibited at the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art in Sydney along with the full release of Operation Kung Flu next month.
I Am Not A Virus was supported by several major councils including Australia Council for the Arts, City of Sydney, Creative Victoria, City of Parramatta, Inner West Council and Create NSW.
DARTs executive director Lena Nahlous said the project “gives power to the communities who are most affected”.
“Art is incredibly powerful and it can really shift how people see the world,” she said.
“It’s really important we let the artists create art on their own terms and in their own voices, rather than instruct them.”
“Crunching numbers are important but sometimes one comedic short film can change the world in a way that reports not always can.”
For Tran, the project has been a lot of fun and one of great importance. But really, she says, “it’s just fighting racism in a really kick arse way”.
More Coverage
