TWO ONLINE EVENTS MARK THE RELEASE OF
MULAN IN AOTEAROA
PASC and PAT celebrate the long-awaited release of the film Mulan in New Zealand, a live-action adaptation of the animated Disney movie, with two online events featuring members of the Mulan cast.
Release Day Zoom Chat
On the release day, Friday 4 September at 6:00pm, PASC members, Yoson An who plays Mulan’s potential love-interest, Honghui, and Xana Tang, playing Mulan’s sister, Xiu, will take part in a special Release Day Zoom Chat. Hosted by kiwi actress Michelle Ang, this event will be streamed via Facebook Live as the actors talk about their journey to being cast as well as the experience and challenges of shooting a major motion picture for an international studio. During the Zoom chat, online audiences have the opportunity to have their questions answered by Yoson and Xana before the community at large views the film.
Actor’s Panel: Reflections on Mulan and Asian Representation
The following week, on Saturday 12 September at 2:00pm, Yoson and Xana will be joined by fellow Mulan cast members for a panel discussion about their own experience being in and then viewing the Disney film, before covering the broader topics around the state of Asian representation on screen. This moderated discussion, streamed online, also anticipates covering topics such as career sustainability, the realities of working as an Asian actor in the current climate, and observations about the evolution of the industry and where the future might lead.
Event 1
What: Release Day Zoom Chat
When: Friday 4 September at 6:00pm
Event 2
What: Actor’s Panel: Reflections on Mulan and Asian Representation
When: Saturday 12 September at 2:00pm,
Those interested in attending either event can register via the link below:
https://forms.gle/xfeJfqdib1BCCErJ7
Helmed by kiwi director, Niki Caro, Mulan was shot in New Zealand and will be released on the streaming platform, Disney+. This follows the cancellation of cinema release dates around the world due to the COVID-19 crisis. New Zealand is the first of a handful of countries in the world to stream the film.
“While this wasn’t how we expected this film to find its way into the world, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share the moment and engage with our community at home,” says Xana. “It took a lot for us to see ourselves on the screen at this level,” added Yoson. “With effort and everyone’s support, it won’t be the last.”
*notes from PASC and PAT on Mulan, the film:
“We deeply appreciate the reasons for which this particular project is complicated. Our keenness to learn and share these actors’ experiences, processes and perspectives in no way endorses the manner in which those with greater power and influence have conducted themselves. We unambiguously support the people who face oppression and struggles in China, including the Uighur peoples, and Hong Kong.
What brings us here together is the chance to honour the work of Asian actors with historied careers as they continue to forge pathways of opportunity for those of us who seek to represent ourselves on screen. By having this dialogue, we hope to gain insights and inspiration that will ultimately fuel our own creative projects based wholly on our own ideals.” -- PASC and PAT