Xmas Task #1

Textual Analysis

Kal Penn - Van Wilder
Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyV1bM6JJF0 - Trailer for the film


Trailer highlighting Taj (Kal Penn)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8dmSsObmkM
South asian actor in a cameo role
Theories
- Representation and stereotyping
- Cameo role subordinates character, they are represented in a stereotypical role for comic purposes for audiences.
Issues and Debates
- Gender and ethinicity
- Shows ethnic character in a minor role, acting in an ethnic view purposely and exaterating the stereotype such as accents and beleifs.
M.I.G.R.A.I.N
S.H.E.P
Analysis Write up
The link that shows Kal penn in van wilder, highlights how a South Asian actor is portrayed and represented in hollywood, as overall he is given just a cameo role in the film. An in his role he is shown to be stereotypically south asian.
The 1st thing you nottice from the text above is the music, as immediatly as Kal Penn enters, there is a stereotypical indian herbal remedy tune played in the background. which can be seen as offensive and racist to some viewers. Also he is given the impression of being steretypical in shyness and awkwardness in when he 1st enters the room. Another very interesting element is his name in the fact that it is so long, connoting the stereotype of South Asians having large names. An how his name contains the word 'Taj Mahal' (a famous indian land mark and one of the 7 wonders of the world) clearly shows the director and hollywoods interpretation of him, portraying him in a very controversial and stereotypical role.
He is shown to be bottling up a lot of passion in the fact that whe he speaks he is shocked at what he says himself, and then goes onto a rant about what he wants to do which shows his Gender very strongly and how Guys in university are very horney and after sex.

Kal Penn - Van Wilder 2 - the rise of taj
Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQKcME-Eh0E&list=QL&playnext=1
South Asian actor in a lead role


Theories
- Representation and stereotyping
Even though he is given the lead role, he still shows how he is represented and stereoryped as a south asian.
Issues and Debates
- Gender and ethinicity
Points to look at
- M.I.G.R.A.I.N
- S.H.E.P
Analysis Write up
The trailer for Van wilder : The rise of taj, shows Kal Penn in a leading role in a film. His character is the same as of that from the 1st film, which is why he presented as a stereotypical south asian. Although he has seemed to have adapted to american lifestyle of partying and drinkning. The trailer shows his ethnicity to be some sort of sex appeal to women. which is interesting as this makes his portrayal of an South Asian actor to be possitive.
Although as this sequel was not on cinema or even very much on Tv highlights that having a south asian actor in a lead role was a bad choice.

The trailer opens with a small introduction which is mainly commentary introducing van wilder through what he ''taught us'' and then they show Taj walking in front of a group, showing him as the leader, indicating his rise from his role in the 1st film as just an assistant.
it then shows Taj speak for the 1st time, and you nottice that he speaks the same as he did in the 1st film showing his herritage as he has a slight accent. Its interesting though as it shows his growth in confidence as he flirts with a women on a plane, and the next scene is of them getting frisky in the airplane toilets. Then the next scene shows him introducing himself to his roomates, indicating he has grown a lot in confidence enough to approach strangers and introduce himself.
They immidatly respond to him, and automatically give him the role as a leader which is unusual for someone of his skin colour in america.
It also shows him giving advice to other 'nerdy' charcaters about posture and confidence.
He seems to have stepped into Van wilders shoes and has become the leader and the party instigater of their university. He is shown to have learned a lot from van as he has come across rivalry which he deals with in a cheeky manor giving a cheeky remarks and comments back.
It then shows a montage of partying clips, before showing Taj lying in a bed.. with a girl ready to pounce on him, before his parents and family unexpectadly arrive and spoil the fun before it began. Although his father seems to be impressed with him being so radical with girls. Reffereing to him as a 'hound doggy'.


Kal Penn - Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_NOc6yH5JY - film trailer



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQZkwiH0r5Q - racial stereotypes (fan made)
Theories
- Post 9/11
- His character is claimed to be a terrorist because of his skin colour, he is 'randomly' searched in the airport.
Issues and debates
- Gender and ethnicity
Analysis Write up
This film is a sequel to Harold and Kumar go to white castle, Its interesting as its a comedy and it looks at most races, as there are comic spoofs about 'the kkk being racist' 'rednecks being ' 'black people and coolae' 'the goverment being racist'.
The trailer opens with them in the airport, showing that Kal Penn a South Asian American gets chosen for a 'random' security check at the airport, even though he didnt beep on the alarm. showing how since 9/11 that because of his skin colour he is being randomly searched.
Also in the next scene there is the scene in which an old lady keeps starring at him, and pictures him as a terrorist because of his skin colour and ethnic decent. She also shouts terrorist when picturing him with a stereotypical big beard and dorague which is assosiated with terrorists.
then in the next scene, when they are held by the goverment, the official is racist towards both Kal Penn and John Cho. reffering to them as ''North Korean'' and ''Al Queida''. And also reffers to John Cho as 'Hellp Kitty'.